Deck 9: Field Research and In-Depth Interviews: Systematic People-Watching and Listening

Question 1

Which of the following most accurately describes Smith's study of transnationalization?

A) It involved one year of field experience in Mexico and one year in New York City.
B) It examined gender relations in the first and second generation of immigrants.
C) It showed that U.S. assimilation of Ticuanense immigrants was smoother than expected.
D) It showed that the most successful immigrants were those who severed ties with their homeland.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following is true of Valdez's research on Mexican Americans?

A) She did field research on a specific Mexican community.
B) She focused on the experience of first-generation immigrants.
C) She supplemented her field observations with informal interviews.
D) She recruited interviewees from northern and southern California.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Both Smith and Valdez used all but which one of the following as a source of data?

A) Direct experience
B) Observation
C) Interviews with informants
D) Structured community surveys

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which of the following is not characteristic of in-depth interviews?

A) Use open-ended questions
B) Generally flexible and may be unstructured or semi-structured
C) Usually occur informally in ordinary conversations, as an extension of observation
D) Intended to yield rich and detailed information on interviewees' experiences

Question 5

Reflexivity in qualitative research refers to

A) the process of understanding others' actions from their point of view.
B) sympathetic understanding based on a disavowal of one's own beliefs.
C) a researcher's reflection on how his or her personal characteristics influence the research process.
D) a researcher's reflexive or spontaneous reactions to people and events.

Question 6

Which sampling method is least likely to be used in qualitative research?

A) Multistage sampling
B) Snowball sampling
C) Purposive sampling
D) Theoretical sampling

Question 7

Which of the following statements most accurately describes data analysis in qualitative research?

A) Data analysis follows the completion of data collection, as in quantitative research.
B) Analysis generally follows the deductive logic of inquiry.
C) Interview data may be used to cross-check data from observations.
D) Researcher's let the data speak for themselves without using theory to shape their interpretations.

Question 8

According to Box 9.2, Rebekah Nathan's study of college life and culture was controversial because

A) she did not seek IRB approval for her research.
B) she used informants' names without their permission.
C) she published detailed information on sensitive topics such as sexual behavior.
D) students felt betrayed when her true identity came to light.

Question 9

Figure 9.2 in the text represents variations in field observation in a two-dimensional space. Which study located in this space is, for the most part, participant and covert?

A) Smith's field research on transnationalization
B) Lareau's observation of families
C) Lofland's study of people in public places
D) Nathan's study of college life and culture

Question 10

A focus group refers to

A) the group that becomes the focus of attention in field observation.
B) a group that purposely draws attention to itself.
C) a type of group interview.
D) a group randomly chosen for observation.

Question 11

Netnography is similar to ordinary field research or ethnography insofar as

A) it involves the observation of all forms of human communication.
B) researchers must be physically present in the research setting.
C) researchers record observations in field jottings and notes.
D) researchers formulate one or more research questions.

Question 12

The most important consideration in selecting a group or setting for field research is that

A) it should speak to the researcher's theoretical or substantive interests.
B) the researcher should have no prior connection or experience with those in the setting.
C) it should be easily accessible.
D) it should allow for the ready development of rapport.

Question 13

In his field research, Smith chose to relate to others in the community by

A) teaching a course in English as a second language.
B) becoming a naturalized Ticuani citizen.
C) participating in community events and assuming functional roles in some settings.
D) avoiding the formation of close relationships that might inhibit his objectivity.

Question 14

According to the textbook, leaving the field in field research is like

A) exiting a theater.
B) saying informal personal goodbyes.
C) making a formal announcement to your co-workers that you've accepted another job.
D) graduating from college.

Question 15

According to Valdez, which of the following characteristics facilitated her recruitment and access to the persons she interviewed?

A) Her Mexican-American heritage
B) Her gender
C) Graduating from an Ivy League school
D) Living in California

Question 16

What are the two primary types of questions in in-depth interviews?

A) Main questions and probes
B) Background questions and topical questions
C) Closed-ended questions and open-ended questions
D) Prepared questions and spontaneous questions

Question 17

Which of the following questions from Valdez's interview guide is an example of a grand tour question?

A) Have you ever encountered discrimination?
B) Could you briefly describe your relationship with your: grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren?
C) Do you remember the first time someone told you that you were Mexican American?
D) Is there anything I did not ask but that I should have?

Question 18

Typical of qualitative interview research, Valdez gathered data by

A) making quick jottings, which she embellished later with more detailed notes.
B) taking detailed notes during the course of the interview.
C) audiotaping her interviews in addition to taking notes.
D) videotaping her interviews.

Question 19

Which of the following guidelines is recommended for conducting in-depth interviews?

A) Conduct the interview in a nonthreatening public place such as a restaurant or park.
B) To convey the businesslike character of the interview, avoid unnecessary chitchat before the interview starts.
C) Use audio or video devices to record the interviews.
D) Stick to the order of questions in the interview guide.

Question 20

Which of the following is not a strength of qualitative research?

A) Naturalistic approach
B) Holistic/contextual understanding
C) Flexible research design
D) Generalizability

Question 21

By virtue of its strengths, qualitative research would work best for addressing which one of the following research questions?

A) Do feelings of guilt increase the likelihood that someone will help others?
B) Are men more likely than women to donate blood?
C) How do homeless people survive on the streets?
D) Does the incidence of domestic abuse increase during an economic recession?

Question 22

A researcher's direct experience is an important source of data in qualitative research.

Question 23

Qualitative researchers may choose to supplement their observations with data from official records.

Question 24

Once in the field, sampling in qualitative research usually involves the random selection of participants and events.

Question 25

Data analysis in qualitative research should take place only after one's observations or interviews are complete.

Question 26

To practice reflexivity, qualitative researchers ask their informants to explain the meaning of their actions.

Question 27

Field observation in Smith's study of transnationalization was generally overt and participant.

Question 28

Overt observers may reduce reactivity by establishing trust and rapport with others in the field setting.

Question 29

One weakness of group interviews is that they add another layer of reactivity.

Question 30

Netnography is usually limited to the investigation of textual communication.

Question 31

The research question in qualitative research may change once a researcher begins collecting and analyzing data.

Question 32

Field notes may include the researcher's thoughts and preliminary analyses.

Question 33

In leaving the field, field researchers should consider how members of the group or community being studied may react to their absence.

Question 34

Interviewees in in-depth interview studies are usually randomly selected.

Question 35

In order not to undermine rapport in in-depth interviews, the researcher may ask for informed consent at the end rather than the beginning of the interview.

Question 36

This chapter discussed two major types of qualitative research: field research and in-depth interviews. How are these approaches similar and how are they different in terms of research design, data collection, and data analysis?

Question 37

In qualitative research, the researcher is the primary instrument of inquiry. Carefully explain the meaning of this statement by discussing how, more so than in surveys and experiments, the quality of qualitative research depends on the observational and analytical skills of the researcher. Then explain why this makes reflexivity an important component of qualitative research.

Question 38

Compare the process of planning and conducting a survey (Figure 8.3) with the process of doing in-depth interviews (Figure 9.4). What does this comparison reveal about the differences between quantitative and qualitative research?