Deck 13: Field Research and Focus Group Research

Question 1

When conducting field research, one should

A) never use personal connections or friendships to gain entry into a field setting.
B) not expect personal stress or psychological discomfort, but plan for a relaxing and totally enjoyable experience.
C) resolve all ethical dilemmas, problems, and issues before entering the field.
D) disguise or obscure the names of those being studied by using pseudonyms or made-up names.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Some of the day care workers at the field research site refused to cooperate or have anything to do with Dr. Gulley, even though she was friendly towards them. This illustrates

A) freeze outs.
B) the use of small favors.
C) appearance of interest.
D) the use of breakdowns.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

After studying convenience store culture for a while, Dr. Hanowski begins to learn the "lingo" of the convenience store clerks ex. coffee slurpers). In field research, specialized language of a subculture is called

A) slang.
B) argot.
C) language.
D) tintinnabulation.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

A researcher can take on many roles when conducting participant observations. Which role has the researcher "go native" and become a complete, fully committed member for a period of time?

A) complete observer
B) participant as observer
C) complete membership
D) total researcher

Question 5

Researchers use unstructured or intensive interviews in field research in order to

A) obtain easily tabulated data.
B) obtain closed-ended responses.
C) gain an in-depth understanding of respondent views and beliefs.
D) minimize interviewer bias.

Question 6

Many field researchers will bring their study results to the group that was researched. Attempting to get approval from the group is called

A) member validation.
B) content validity.
C) filial validation.
D) ecological validity.

Question 7

A face sheet for a field research interview is

A) a page on which comments about the interview itself e.g., tone, difficulties) is recorded.
B) a page with a pictorial representation of each respondent.
C) a page with information and background characteristics of the interviewee and his or her friends.
D) a page about the researcher's role or "face" in the field.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of focus groups?

A) Survey researchers are provided with a window into how people talk about survey topics.
B) The natural setting allows people to express opinions/ideas freely.
C) Participants may question one another and explain their answers to others.
D) Only one or a few topics can be discussed in a focus group.

Question 9

When conducting interviews on a field site, a field researcher should

A) never reveal any personal information about him/herself to anyone being interviewed.
B) follow the exact wording of questions and do not improvise.
C) always ask the same questions in the same order to each person in a field site.
D) intersperse questions into informal conversations and tailor questions to specific people being interviewed.

Question 10

When Dr. Gulley begins field observation, she tries to empty her mind of stereotypes of day care. This helped her to see what was really happening, not only recognizing stereotypes. The process of "emptying her mind" is called

A) naturalism.
B) defocusing.
C) presentation of self.
D) thick description.

Question 11

In her field research, Dr. Gulley helped the day care teachers clean up at the end of the day. She also answered the telephone when everyone else was busy. This illustrates as a method of easing the tensions of day care teachers as they are being observed.

A) the use of breakdowns
B) appearance of interest
C) the use of small favors
D) freeze outs

Question 12

Guilty knowledge occurs when

A) a person with formal or informal authority controls access to the field setting.
B) a researcher becomes over involved in the field setting and loses objectivity or the role of researcher to become a complete participant.
C) members tell the researcher untruths to purposely mislead or give a false view.
D) a researcher learns about secret illicit or illegal activities during the course of conducting field research.

Question 13

Dr. Sandra Gulley conducts research on day care centers. Dr. Gulley knows that her presence will influence employee behavior. For this reason, she explained social research to the day care center employees, told them about her own background, and settled employees' nerves by ignoring minor rule infractions. This illustrates

A) the problem of gatekeepers.
B) the use of argot.
C) normalizing social research.
D) being an acceptable incompetent.

Question 14

The separation of inference in field research is

A) separating direct observation notes from notes on what a researcher infers.
B) forgetting to mention the worldview of racial groups or gender other than the researcher's.
C) selecting particular times, places, or people to observe in more detail based upon an evolving theoretical understanding.
D) separating data presentation and data analysis too much.

Question 15

Which of the following is TRUE of interviewing in field research?

A) Interviewers can reveal their personal background or interests to the interviewee to build trust and rapport.
B) Interviewers should never tailor the question to a specific informant.
C) Interviewers never use probes or follow-up questions.
D) Interviewers must read each question exactly as it appears on the interview questionnaire.

Question 16

Dr. Bigosko is studying the culture of bicycle shops. In an interview with a mechanic on customer-employee relations, the mechanic makes a passing reference to the prevalence department stores have had on their monthly sales. A passing reference that mechanic made is an important insight that was shared out of context. This is called an)

A) argot.
B) life story.
C) marker.
D) breakdown.

Question 17

In our society, the "voice" or perspective of people in power is given more legitimacy than people without power. Howard Becker suggests that one responsibility of sociologists is to legitimize and bring to focus the "voice" or perspective of those without power. This illustrates

A) normalize social research.
B) hierarchy of credibility.
C) latter of legitimacy.
D) member validation.

Question 18

Dr. Gulley uses the attitude of strangeness when interacting with or interviewing day care employees. This means that she

A) remains distant, cold, and angry towards members in the field setting.
B) is strange, because only strange people want to do social research.
C) questions and notices ordinary details as if she was a stranger.
D) finds it difficult to conduct social research on strangers.

Question 19

When studying Masons a highly secretive social organization) in Milwaukee, Dr. Jonus Rice utilized a family friend, who was a Mason, to get access to the organization's meetings. Without the family friend, Dr. Rice would not have access to this highly secretive organization. The family friend is called the

A) holder of all that is precious.
B) concierge.
C) doorman.
D) gatekeeper.

Question 20

When a researcher conducts field research where the research subject is completely unaware of the researcher's presence, as if the researcher is invisible, it is called

A) observer as participant.
B) participant as observer.
C) complete observer.
D) complete participant.

Question 21

Why is it important for a field researcher to read the literature before beginning field work? Does this contradict the idea of defocusing?

Question 22

It is often difficult to study social phenomena, because as social creatures we are often closely tied to these phenomena. To address this issue, many sociologists will utilize a technique called attitude of strangeness. What is the attitude of strangeness? Why is it used in field research?

Question 23

Compare differences between a field research and a survey research interview. How does a field interview differ from a survey research interview?

Question 24

Field research is often conducted on deviant or specialized groups that are not accessible by quantitative research methods. Describe at least 6 steps a field research should take when entering a potentially dangerous field.

Question 25

When choosing a topic for field research, personal characteristics can limit our access to social groups. What are some of the relevant factors a researcher considers when choosing a field research topic? How does the level of involvement play a role in this decision?

Question 26

At some point in field research, the researcher must end the study. What are some of the concerns when a researcher leaves the field?

Question 27

How does the "presentation of self" affect a field researcher's work?

Question 28

Replication is nearly impossible when conducting field research. How does a field researcher make sure that his or her findings are reliable and valid?

Question 29

Identify ways to ensure high quality field research data. Discuss how internal and external consistency play a role in this assurance of quality.

Question 30

One key to successful field research is maintaining close relations with the research subjects. How does a field researcher use acceptable incompetence and appearance of interest to maintain these relationships?