Question 1

Name the three ways in which an observation study can be structured.

Accepted Answer

An observation study can be structured three different ways, an observation study can be unstructured; semi structured; or structured. In an unstructured observation, the researcher observes and records everything that happens in relation to the phenomenon under investigation which is relevant to the research project. In a semi structured observation, the researcher follows a semi structured observation schedule and loosely records observations made on a number of issues or aspects of the phenomenon under investigation. In a structured observation the researcher uses a precisely structured observation schedule, a structured observation schedule is structured as a questionnaire is structured, on which s/he records their observation of the phenomenon under investigation.

Question 2

Observations can be:

Accepted Answer

A)  Cognito or incognito. 
B)  Structured, unstructured or semi structured. 
C)  Close or distant. 
D)  Single or group. 
A)  Cognito or incognito. 
B)  Structured, unstructured or semi structured. 
C)  Close or distant. 
D)  Single or group. B

Question 3

As observation may be unstructured, semi structured or structured, so too the observation schedule can be unstructured, semi structured or structured. The observation schedule is designed to facilitate the recording of the observation, so if the observation is unstructured, so too will be the observation schedule. If the observation is semi structured, so too will be the observation schedule. If the observation is structured, so too will be the observation schedule.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

Covert observation is:

Accepted Answer

A)  A data gathering method. 
B)  A data analysis technique. 
C)  One of the four frameworks in the four frameworks approach to research. 
D)  An element of the theoretical framework. 
A)  A data gathering method. 
B)  A data analysis technique. 
C)  One of the four frameworks in the four frameworks approach to research. 
D)  An element of the theoretical framework.

Question 5

Observation, as a data gathering method, involves the researcher watching or observing some action, activity or phenomenon, and recording what is observed in some manner.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Observation as a data gathering method must be used, as must all data gathering methods, in a rigorous and systematic manner.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Participant observation is carried out by the researcher participating in some way in the activity or the phenomenon being observed.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

The fifth thing the researcher has to do is to:

Accepted Answer

A)  Gain access to the data. 
B)  Decide on the data collection method to be used. 
C)  Design the data collection method. 
D)  Gather the data. Using observation, the researcher carries out the observation, observing the action or the phenomenon and recording that observation. 
A)  Gain access to the data. 
B)  Decide on the data collection method to be used. 
C)  Design the data collection method. 
D)  Gather the data. Using observation, the researcher carries out the observation, observing the action or the phenomenon and recording that observation.

Question 9

The critical decisions to be made in any observation study are: deciding what exactly is to be observed; deciding how to conduct the observation; and deciding how to record the observation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

An observation schedule is the structure created by the researcher to facilitate the recording of the observations made.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Observations can be structured, semi-structured and unstructured.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Covert observation is:

Accepted Answer

A)  Carried out with the knowledge of those being observed. 
B)  Close observation. 
C)  Ethically problematic and as such it is used with caution by researchers. 
D)  Single observation. 
A)  Carried out with the knowledge of those being observed. 
B)  Close observation. 
C)  Ethically problematic and as such it is used with caution by researchers. 
D)  Single observation.

Question 13

What is observation in social science research?

Accepted Answer

A)  Observation is a data gathering method. 
B)  Observation is a means of data analysis. 
C)  Observation is part of the role of the research supervisor. 
D)  Observation is the requirement that every researcher be observant. 
A)  Observation is a data gathering method. 
B)  Observation is a means of data analysis. 
C)  Observation is part of the role of the research supervisor. 
D)  Observation is the requirement that every researcher be observant.

Question 14

The researcher's decision on how to use observation in the study is based on:

Accepted Answer

A)  Their skill and capability. 
B)  The skill and capability of the research supervisor. 
C)  Their wishes for the research. 
D)  The requirements of the study. 
A)  Their skill and capability. 
B)  The skill and capability of the research supervisor. 
C)  Their wishes for the research. 
D)  The requirements of the study.

Question 15

Data gathering techniques are part of the methodological framework, the fourth framework in the four frameworks approach to the research project.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

The researcher's recorded observations are the data gathered for the research project.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Using unstructured observation:

Accepted Answer

A)  The researcher is likely to do a bad job of observing the phenomenon under investigation. 
B)  The researcher has failed to properly prepare for the observation exercise. 
C)  The researcher goes into the field and simply observes the action or phenomenon under investigation in the research project. The recorded observations can be recorded in the research diary, or in a field diary used specifically for this purpose. 
D)  The researcher will have to engage in an unstructured analysis of the data gathered. 
A)  The researcher is likely to do a bad job of observing the phenomenon under investigation. 
B)  The researcher has failed to properly prepare for the observation exercise. 
C)  The researcher goes into the field and simply observes the action or phenomenon under investigation in the research project. The recorded observations can be recorded in the research diary, or in a field diary used specifically for this purpose. 
D)  The researcher will have to engage in an unstructured analysis of the data gathered.

Question 18

The different kinds of observation are observation, participant observation and covert observation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

In a structured observation the researcher:

Accepted Answer

A)  The researcher is very well prepared for the observation and will gather the data required. 
B)  Knows precisely what aspects of the phenomenon or action s/he wishes to observe and so s/he designs a structured observation schedule in order to facilitate that observation. 
C)  Is restricted by the structured nature of the observation in terms of the data s/he can gather. 
D)  Prepares to engage in a structured analysis of the data gathered. 
A)  The researcher is very well prepared for the observation and will gather the data required. 
B)  Knows precisely what aspects of the phenomenon or action s/he wishes to observe and so s/he designs a structured observation schedule in order to facilitate that observation. 
C)  Is restricted by the structured nature of the observation in terms of the data s/he can gather. 
D)  Prepares to engage in a structured analysis of the data gathered.

Question 20

Observation yields primary data.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Name the three ways in which an observation study can be structured.

Observations can be:

Covert observation is:

Observation, as a data gathering method, involves the researcher watching or observing some action, activity or phenomenon, and recording what is observed in some manner.

Observation as a data gathering method must be used, as must all data gathering methods, in a rigorous and systematic manner.

Participant observation is carried out by the researcher participating in some way in the activity or the phenomenon being observed.

The fifth thing the researcher has to do is to:

The critical decisions to be made in any observation study are: deciding what exactly is to be observed; deciding how to conduct the observation; and deciding how to record the observation.

An observation schedule is the structure created by the researcher to facilitate the recording of the observations made.

Observations can be structured, semi-structured and unstructured.

Covert observation is:

What is observation in social science research?

The researcher's decision on how to use observation in the study is based on:

Data gathering techniques are part of the methodological framework, the fourth framework in the four frameworks approach to the research project.

The researcher's recorded observations are the data gathered for the research project.

Using unstructured observation:

The different kinds of observation are observation, participant observation and covert observation.

In a structured observation the researcher:

Observation yields primary data.

Introducing Business Research

Developing Research Skills

Understanding Research Ethics

Understanding Research Philosophy

Developing a Research Proposal

Reviewing the Literature

Understanding Research Methodology and Design

Understanding Research Methods, Populations and Sampling

Using Secondary Data and Archival Sources

Using Interviews and Focus Groups

Using Questionnaires and Scales

Managing Data and Introducing Data Analysis

Analysing Quantitative Data

Analysing Qualitative Data

Drawing Conclusions and Writing Research

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Exam 10: Using Observation

Name the three ways in which an observation study can be structured.

Observations can be:

Covert observation is:

Observation, as a data gathering method, involves the researcher watching or observing some action, activity or phenomenon, and recording what is observed in some manner.

Observation as a data gathering method must be used, as must all data gathering methods, in a rigorous and systematic manner.

Participant observation is carried out by the researcher participating in some way in the activity or the phenomenon being observed.

The fifth thing the researcher has to do is to:

The critical decisions to be made in any observation study are: deciding what exactly is to be observed; deciding how to conduct the observation; and deciding how to record the observation.

An observation schedule is the structure created by the researcher to facilitate the recording of the observations made.

Observations can be structured, semi-structured and unstructured.

Covert observation is:

What is observation in social science research?

The researcher's decision on how to use observation in the study is based on:

Data gathering techniques are part of the methodological framework, the fourth framework in the four frameworks approach to the research project.

The researcher's recorded observations are the data gathered for the research project.

Using unstructured observation:

The different kinds of observation are observation, participant observation and covert observation.

In a structured observation the researcher:

Observation yields primary data.

Introducing Business Research

Developing Research Skills

Understanding Research Ethics

Understanding Research Philosophy

Developing a Research Proposal

Reviewing the Literature

Understanding Research Methodology and Design

Understanding Research Methods, Populations and Sampling

Using Secondary Data and Archival Sources

Using Interviews and Focus Groups

Using Questionnaires and Scales

Managing Data and Introducing Data Analysis

Analysing Quantitative Data

Analysing Qualitative Data

Drawing Conclusions and Writing Research

Filters