Question 1

Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of field research and survey research.Give specific attention to the topics of validity, reliability and generalizability.

Accepted Answer

Field research and survey research are two common methods used in social science research. Each method has its own strengths and weaknesses, and they can be compared and contrasted in terms of validity, reliability, and generalizability.

Field research involves direct observation and interaction with subjects in their natural environment. This method allows researchers to gain a deep understanding of the context and behavior of the subjects. It has high validity because it provides rich and detailed data that accurately represents the real-life experiences of the subjects. However, field research may have lower reliability because it can be influenced by the subjective interpretation of the researcher. Additionally, the findings from field research may not be easily generalizable to a larger population due to the specific context in which the research was conducted.

On the other hand, survey research involves collecting data through questionnaires or interviews. This method allows for the collection of large amounts of data from a diverse sample of participants. Survey research has high reliability because it uses standardized measures and can be easily replicated. However, it may have lower validity because it relies on self-reported data, which can be influenced by response bias or social desirability. Survey research also has the potential for high generalizability because it can be conducted with a large and diverse sample, allowing for broader conclusions to be drawn.

In summary, field research has strengths in terms of validity and the depth of understanding it provides, but it may have weaknesses in terms of reliability and generalizability. Survey research has strengths in terms of reliability and generalizability, but it may have weaknesses in terms of validity. Both methods have their own unique contributions to social science research, and the choice between them depends on the specific research question and goals.

Question 2

After you have identified a sponsor and sent a letter to a formal organization stating your interest in research, a phone call is typically the next step in the process. You have agreed upon a time and day for the phone call and at the appointed time, you call.The director will not take your call.In this case, you should do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) forget that organization as a target of your research because if the director will not take your call now, you cannot expect much from him once the research begins 
B) keep calling back until your call is taken by the director 
C) ask to speak the director's assistant and make an appointment for a meeting 
D) find another sponsor and see if you have better luck getting access to the director 
A) forget that organization as a target of your research because if the director will not take your call now, you cannot expect much from him once the research begins 
B) keep calling back until your call is taken by the director 
C) ask to speak the director's assistant and make an appointment for a meeting 
D) find another sponsor and see if you have better luck getting access to the director C

Question 3

Which of the following would not be a logical crime to study using the field research techniques?

Accepted Answer

A) prostitution 
B) shoplifting 
C) embezzlement 
D) drug use 
A) prostitution 
B) shoplifting 
C) embezzlement 
D) drug use C

Question 4

Many different options are available for gathering data in field research.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Qualitative research____________________.

Accepted Answer

A) is unable to generate theory 
B) can be called a process of grounded theory 
C) can be used to produce only quantitative data 
D) is unreliable 
A) is unable to generate theory 
B) can be called a process of grounded theory 
C) can be used to produce only quantitative data 
D) is unreliable

Question 6

Identify the various methods that can be used to record observations.Offer an explanation of which method, in your opinion, is most effective and why. Also, which method, in your opinion, is least effective and why.

Accepted Answer

There are various methods that can be us

Question 7

In determining which role to assume while doing field research which of the following should the research consider?

Accepted Answer

A) ethical and methodological considerations 
B) how much money they have to do the research 
C) who their subjects are 
D) whether they will be using subjects in formal or informal organizations 
A) ethical and methodological considerations 
B) how much money they have to do the research 
C) who their subjects are 
D) whether they will be using subjects in formal or informal organizations

Question 8

In structured field observations, the data collection form resembles a survey questionnaire.For example, the environmental surveys are used for which of the following research purposes?

Accepted Answer

A) determining the grounded theory 
B) planning police strategies in drug enforcement and to assess the impact of those strategies 
C) developing notes on graffiti and vandalism damage in an urban area 
D) finding out green environment 
A) determining the grounded theory 
B) planning police strategies in drug enforcement and to assess the impact of those strategies 
C) developing notes on graffiti and vandalism damage in an urban area 
D) finding out green environment

Question 9

Which of the following is false concerning the use of field notes for recording observations?

Accepted Answer

A) field notes include what you are sure you have observed 
B) field notes should not include unanticipated events 
C) field notes should include what you think you observed 
D) note taking can be done on standardized recording forms that you create prior to the start of the research 
A) field notes include what you are sure you have observed 
B) field notes should not include unanticipated events 
C) field notes should include what you think you observed 
D) note taking can be done on standardized recording forms that you create prior to the start of the research

Question 10

What time of the year would be best to do an observational study of thefts from cars parked at shopping malls?

Accepted Answer

A) early in the year, January - February 
B) early summer, June - July 
C) late summer, August 
D) late in the year, December 
A) early in the year, January - February 
B) early summer, June - July 
C) late summer, August 
D) late in the year, December

Question 11

Which of the following is not an effective role (in the sense that the researcher could affect what he/she is studying)for a field researcher?

Accepted Answer

A) total observation 
B) total participation 
C) participant-as-observer 
D) observer-as-participant 
A) total observation 
B) total participation 
C) participant-as-observer 
D) observer-as-participant

Question 12

When the researcher selects the role of ________________ they are participating with the group but let the group know that they are conducting research.

Accepted Answer

participan

Question 13

Why is it often necessary to supplement field research with other forms of data? Give examples of other types of data that are often used in criminal justice research and how each may be used as a link to field research.

Accepted Answer

It is often necessary to supplement fiel

Question 14

Qualitative field research compared to surveys ___________________________.

Accepted Answer

A) is easier to conduct 
B) is more reliable 
C) is stronger on validity but weaker on reliability 
D) is less expensive 
A) is easier to conduct 
B) is more reliable 
C) is stronger on validity but weaker on reliability 
D) is less expensive

Question 15

Field observation is not the preferred data collection method for obtaining information about physical or social settings, behavior, and events.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

To gain access to a formal criminal justice organization for the purpose of conducting field research, which of the following steps should be followed?

Accepted Answer

A) find an informant and then send a letter to gain access 
B) find a sponsor, send a letter, follow up with a phone call and then set up a meeting 
C) telephone the agency and speak with the director and set up a meeting 
D) field research cannot be done in formal criminal justice organizations, only use of written records is allowed 
A) find an informant and then send a letter to gain access 
B) find a sponsor, send a letter, follow up with a phone call and then set up a meeting 
C) telephone the agency and speak with the director and set up a meeting 
D) field research cannot be done in formal criminal justice organizations, only use of written records is allowed

Question 17

To gain access to a formal organization for the purposes of field research, one needs to find a(n)____________ who is personally known to and respected by the director.

Accepted Answer

The answer of To gain access to a formal organization...

Question 18

Which of the following statements is not true concerning field research?

Accepted Answer

A) It has greater validity and reliability than does survey research. 
B) It often involves theory creation. 
C) It often combines observation and asking questions. 
D) It can provide both qualitative and quantitative data. 
A) It has greater validity and reliability than does survey research. 
B) It often involves theory creation. 
C) It often combines observation and asking questions. 
D) It can provide both qualitative and quantitative data.

Question 19

It may be helpful to record field notes onto highly structured forms created prior to the beginning of the study.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Field research is a data collection method that involves the __________________of phenomena in their natural settings.

Accepted Answer

A) direct observation 
B) written records 
C) grounded theory 
D) accurate measures 
A) direct observation 
B) written records 
C) grounded theory 
D) accurate measures

Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of field research and survey research.Give specific attention to the topics of validity, reliability and generalizability.

Which of the following would not be a logical crime to study using the field research techniques?

Many different options are available for gathering data in field research.

Qualitative research____________________.

Identify the various methods that can be used to record observations.Offer an explanation of which method, in your opinion, is most effective and why. Also, which method, in your opinion, is least effective and why.

In determining which role to assume while doing field research which of the following should the research consider?

In structured field observations, the data collection form resembles a survey questionnaire.For example, the environmental surveys are used for which of the following research purposes?

Which of the following is false concerning the use of field notes for recording observations?

What time of the year would be best to do an observational study of thefts from cars parked at shopping malls?

Which of the following is not an effective role (in the sense that the researcher could affect what he/she is studying)for a field researcher?

When the researcher selects the role of ________________ they are participating with the group but let the group know that they are conducting research.

Why is it often necessary to supplement field research with other forms of data? Give examples of other types of data that are often used in criminal justice research and how each may be used as a link to field research.

Qualitative field research compared to surveys ___________________________.

Field observation is not the preferred data collection method for obtaining information about physical or social settings, behavior, and events.

To gain access to a formal criminal justice organization for the purpose of conducting field research, which of the following steps should be followed?

To gain access to a formal organization for the purposes of field research, one needs to find a(n)____________ who is personally known to and respected by the director.

Which of the following statements is not true concerning field research?

It may be helpful to record field notes onto highly structured forms created prior to the beginning of the study.

Field research is a data collection method that involves the __________________of phenomena in their natural settings.

Criminal Justice and Scientific Inquiry

Ethics and Criminal Justice Research

General Issues in Research Design

Concepts, Operationalization, and Measurement

Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs

Sampling

Survey Research and Other Ways of Asking Questions

Agency Records, Content Analysis, and Secondary Data

Evaluation Research and Problem Analysis

Interpreting Data

Filters

Exam 8: Field Research

Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of field research and survey research.Give specific attention to the topics of validity, reliability and generalizability.

Which of the following would not be a logical crime to study using the field research techniques?

Many different options are available for gathering data in field research.

Qualitative research____________________.

Identify the various methods that can be used to record observations.Offer an explanation of which method, in your opinion, is most effective and why. Also, which method, in your opinion, is least effective and why.

In determining which role to assume while doing field research which of the following should the research consider?

In structured field observations, the data collection form resembles a survey questionnaire.For example, the environmental surveys are used for which of the following research purposes?

Which of the following is false concerning the use of field notes for recording observations?

What time of the year would be best to do an observational study of thefts from cars parked at shopping malls?

Which of the following is not an effective role (in the sense that the researcher could affect what he/she is studying)for a field researcher?

When the researcher selects the role of ________________ they are participating with the group but let the group know that they are conducting research.

Why is it often necessary to supplement field research with other forms of data? Give examples of other types of data that are often used in criminal justice research and how each may be used as a link to field research.

Qualitative field research compared to surveys ___________________________.

Field observation is not the preferred data collection method for obtaining information about physical or social settings, behavior, and events.

To gain access to a formal criminal justice organization for the purpose of conducting field research, which of the following steps should be followed?

To gain access to a formal organization for the purposes of field research, one needs to find a(n)____________ who is personally known to and respected by the director.

Which of the following statements is not true concerning field research?

It may be helpful to record field notes onto highly structured forms created prior to the beginning of the study.

Field research is a data collection method that involves the __________________of phenomena in their natural settings.

Criminal Justice and Scientific Inquiry

Ethics and Criminal Justice Research

General Issues in Research Design

Concepts, Operationalization, and Measurement

Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs

Sampling

Survey Research and Other Ways of Asking Questions

Agency Records, Content Analysis, and Secondary Data

Evaluation Research and Problem Analysis

Interpreting Data

Filters