Question 1

When the subject is unaware that he is being observed, this represents what type of observation?

Accepted Answer

Unobtrusive observation occurs when the subject is not aware that he/she is being observed. This is done to reduce the Hawthorne effect, where subjects may behave differently when they know they are being observed.

Question 2

All of the following cannot be observed EXCEPT _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of All of the following cannot be observed...

Question 3

A situation in which an observer's presence, or the mechanical device doing the recording, is easily known to the subject involves _____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A situation in which an observer's presence,...

Question 4

The most refined measure of website traffic is click-through rate (CTR).

Accepted Answer

While click-through rate is a useful measure of website traffic, it is not the most refined. Other metrics such as bounce rate and time on site can provide more detailed insights into user behavior and engagement.

Question 5

A researcher was observing how children play on playground equipment at a public park. The observers were out in the open and parents were told that their children were being observed. This type of observation is called _____ observation.

Accepted Answer

This type of observation is called "visible" observation because the observers are out in the open and the subjects (or their guardians) are aware that they are being observed.

Question 6

Eye-tracking monitors measure pupil size to determine emotional arousal.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Eye-tracking monitors measure pupil size to determine...

Question 7

Clara is a business researcher who records shoppers' movement through a grocery store. What method of research is Clara using?

Accepted Answer

Clara is using observation to record shoppers' movement through the grocery store.

Question 8

Measuring the distance visitors stand from a painting in a Van Gogh exhibit at the St. Louis Art Museum is an example of what type of observation?

Accepted Answer

Measuring the distance visitors stand from a painting involves observing their spatial relations or the physical distance and orientation between objects or individuals.

Question 9

A study of the recording of a Monday Night Football Game in the National Football League in which the observer counts the number of shots of cheerleaders on the sidelines is an example of camera surveillance.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of content analysis.

Question 10

Customers going through the drive-thru at Starbucks were being watched to see how long they look at the menu before ordering. They are unaware that they are being observed. This type of observation is referred to as _____ observation.

Accepted Answer

Unobtrusive observation refers to a type of observation where the participants are unaware that they are being observed. In this scenario, customers going through the drive-thru at Starbucks are not aware that they are being watched while ordering. Thus, the best choice would be A) unobtrusive observation.

Question 11

Using a stopwatch to determine the average waiting time for a customer checking out in a grocery store is an example of what type of observation?

Accepted Answer

Using a stopwatch to determine the average waiting time for a customer checking out in a grocery store involves observing the temporal pattern, or the amount of time that elapses between different events. This is a form of quantitative observation that focuses on measuring specific, observable aspects of behavior or phenomena. Verbal behavior and physical action observations may also be relevant in a grocery store setting, but they would not necessarily be relevant to measuring waiting times at the checkout. Physical objects, meanwhile, would likely not play a role in this type of observational study.

Question 12

All of the following are observable phenomena EXCEPT _____.

Accepted Answer

Attitudes are not directly observable; they are subjective states that can only be inferred through behavior or self-report. The other options listed are all observable phenomena.

Question 13

Observing the comments made by travelers waiting in a check-in line at the American Airlines ticket counter in Chicago is an example of what type of observation?

Accepted Answer

Observing the comments made by travelers waiting in a check-in line involves verbal behavior, specifically the spoken comments of the travelers. Pictorial records would involve observing and recording visual images or artwork, expressive behavior would involve non-verbal cues such as facial expressions or body language, and spatial relations would involve observing the physical positioning and arrangement of objects or people.

Question 14

Observing traffic patterns at a busy intersection with cameras is an example of what type of observation?

Accepted Answer

Observing traffic patterns at a busy intersection with cameras involves tracking the movement and location of different vehicles and people, which falls under the category of spatial relations and locations. Verbal records, verbal behavior, and expressive behavior do not apply to this type of observation.

Question 15

Having observers record the brand names of items found in a kitchen pantry of a consumer panel is an example of what type of observation?

Accepted Answer

This type of observation involves recording physical objects present in a certain environment, in this case, the brand names of items found in a kitchen pantry.

Question 16

Observing a person's television viewing habits is an example of which type of observation?

Accepted Answer

Observing a person's television viewing habits involves observing physical actions, as it involves watching what they are physically doing (watching TV) rather than recording their words or behaviors.

Question 17

_____ is the systematic process of recording actual behavioral patterns of people, objects, and events as they happen.

Accepted Answer

Observation is the process of systematically recording actual behavioral patterns of people, objects, and events as they happen. Descriptive research is broader than observation and involves the collection and analysis of data to describe a particular phenomenon. Real-time research is not a commonly used term, and interaction refers to communication or engagement between individuals or groups.

Question 18

Observing the movement of workers packing shipment boxes is an example of what type of observation?

Accepted Answer

Observing the physical actions of workers packing shipment boxes involves watching their movements and behaviors rather than listening to their words or interpreting their emotions (expressive behavior). It also does not involve intercepting them in a public place like a mall (mall interception). Therefore, the best choice is C.

Question 19

A psychogalvanometer measures galvanic skin response and is based on the assumption that physiological changes, such as increased perspiration, accompany emotional reactions.

Accepted Answer

A psychogalvanometer measures galvanic skin response, which is a change in electrical conductance that is believed to be caused by increased sweat gland activity. This sweat gland activity is associated with emotional reactions, such as anxiety or excitement, making the assumption true.

Question 20

Physiological observation techniques, such as pupilometers, psychogalvanometers, and voice-pitch analysis, precisely measure levels of arousal.

Accepted Answer

While these devices identify arousal,they cannot precisely measure levels of arousal.

Quiz 11: Observation