Deck 10: Participants and Data Collection: Identifying How Qualitative Information Is Gathered

Question 1

"Fieldnotes" written by a researcher during a senior high school assembly would be an example of what form of qualitative data?

A) Notes taken at school
B) Observational notes
C) Field experiences of the researcher
D) Material recorded by hand

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following sampling strategies is typically NOT appropriate to use in a qualitative study?

A) Random sampling
B) Homogeneous sampling
C) Maximal variation sampling
D) Snowball sampling

Answer 2

A

Question 3

In reading a research report, the authors state that one question asked the social worker participants was: "How do you develop rapport with parents?" What type of question is this?

A) An open-ended question
B) A closed-ended question
C) A probe question
D) An icebreaker question

Answer 3

A

Question 4

What type of sampling does this describe: Individuals are selected so that the researcher can best describe a sub-group?

A) Snowball
B) Purposive
C) Homogenous
D) Maximal variation

Question 5

Which is most important in a good qualitative research study?

A) Having results that show cause and effect
B) Having results that generalize
C) Having results that are open-ended
D) Having results that are credible

Question 6

An individual participating in a research study asks that his name not be mentioned in the research report. What type of ethical issue considered by the researcher does this illustrate?

A) The right to not be disturbed in his workplace
B) The right to stay away from personal disclosure
C) The right to report research honestly
D) The right to have his privacy protected

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a document typically collected by qualitative researchers?

A) A student journal
B) A sketch of a classroom
C) An official memo to a student
D) Minutes from a parent-teacher meeting

Question 8

Which of the following sampling strategies is a good choice if a researcher wants to be sure to describe the different perspectives about a central phenomenon?

A) Homogeneous sampling
B) Random sampling
C) Snowball sampling
D) Maximal variation sampling

Question 9

Which of the following best describes a "gatekeeper" in qualitative research?

A) The individual who maintains the gate at the institutional review board
B) The individual who helps locate people and places to study in the research
C) The individual who informs the researcher about the topic being studied
D) The individual who needs to give permission to conduct the study

Question 10

What type of sampling does this describe: Individuals are selected so that the researcher can develop a detailed understanding?

A) Purposive
B) Maximal variation
C) Homogenous
D) Snowball

Question 11

Gatekeepers can help qualitative researcher with which of the following qualitative data collection tasks?

A) Completing IRB paperwork
B) Obtaining permission to access participants at a site
C) Developing interview protocols
D) Transcribing data for analysis

Question 12

In a research study, the researcher sits at a table on the side of the school's lunchroom while the children have their lunch break. The researcher records the interactions that he sees between the children and the school staff. What form of observation is the researcher engaged in?

A) A changing observational role
B) A "day-in-life" observational role
C) A nonparticipant observational role
D) A participant observational role

Question 13

Which type of qualitative data is best for gathering information as it naturally occurs?

A) Interviews
B) Documents
C) Observations
D) Audiovisual materials

Question 14

Which one of the following provides a good reason for why qualitative researchers select only a few participants?

A) The number of people available is typically small
B) The individuals who can answer the questions are few
C) The researcher does not want to generalize findings
D) With each additional participant, less depth is possible

Question 15

What is the purpose of an interview protocol in qualitative research?

A) It helps determine the appropriate procedure
B) It contains the major questions to be asked
C) It forms the basis for conducting data collection
D) It offers an international process for researchers

Question 16

Suppose you are reading a report about a sensitive topic, such as the experience of individuals learning that they have a sexually transmitted disease. Which of the following types of data collection would be best for the researcher to use to learn about this topic?

A) Focus group interviews
B) Participant observations
C) One-on-one interviews
D) Predetermined instruments

Question 17

PhotoVoice is a data collection method where…

A) The researchers show participants pictures and asks them to discuss the contents of the images
B) Participants share photos that represent significant moments in their past
C) Participants take and discuss photos relevant to the central phenomenon
D) All of the above

Question 18

Which of the following sampling strategies occurs after data collection has started?

A) Homogeneous sampling
B) Maximal variation sampling
C) Random sampling
D) Snowball sampling

Question 19

Which ethical issues are important to attend to in qualitative data collection?

A) Adherence to ethical guidelines
B) Procedures that respect participants' rights
C) Steps to protect participants' anonymity
D) All of the above

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of a probe used in a qualitative interview?

A) "I think your definition is wrong."
B) "Please talk more loudly."
C) "You need to make more sense."
D) "Tell me more."

Question 21

What type of sampling does this describe: Individuals are selected based on referrals from other participants?

A) Maximal variation
B) Homogenous
C) Snowball
D) Purposive

Question 22

What type of sampling does this describe: Individuals are selected so represent the diverse perspectives within a group?

A) Purposive
B) Maximal variation
C) Snowball
D) Homogenous