Deck 9: Conducting Qualitative Research That Explores the Unknown

Question 1

Qualitative measurement in social work research is more likely to be used in ______ research.

A) descriptive
B) explanatory
C) evaluative
D) exploratory

Answer 1

exploratory

Question 2

Is qualitative measurement in social work research well suited to exploratory research, according to the text?

A) Yes, because qualitative measurement is more flexible than quantitative measurement.
B) Yes, because it is more concrete than quantitative measurement.
C) No, because exploratory research requires the testing of a study hypothesis.
D) No, because qualitative measurement entails the collection of data in regard to numbers.

Answer 2

Yes, because qualitative measurement is more flexible than quantitative measurement.

Question 3

Is the interview a good method of collecting data for an exploratory research study that uses qualitative measurement?

A) Yes, because it is better suited for collecting concrete data.
B) Yes, because of the lack of clarity of the knowledge base.
C) No, because it is too restrictive.
D) No, because it is too flexible.

Answer 3

Yes, because of the lack of clarity of the knowledge base.

Question 4

Qualitative measurement in research is more useful than quantitative measurement when you are trying to ______

A) produce specific descriptions of people
B) test theories or hypotheses rather than developing new ones
C) develop theories or hypotheses rather than testing them
D) see if data are statistically significant

Question 5

Qualitative measurement takes the form of ______

A) numbers, like 23, 35, and 44 for the variable of age
B) categories for people to be placed into, such as male and female
C) percentages such as 35% of these people are women
D) words presented by the study subject, such as "What I most need is math tutoring for my children"

Question 6

Qualitative and quantitative studies are similar in that they both ______.

A) abide by the spirit of scientific inquiry
B) employ words as the vehicle of measurement
C) employ numbers as the chief form of measurement
D) support the idea of cherry-picking of facts to suit a conclusion

Question 7

One similarity between qualitative and quantitative research studies is that they both ______.

A) employ words as the vehicle of measurement
B) employ a study sample
C) employ the statistical analysis of data
D) draw conclusions that are consistent with the literature review more so than anything else

Question 8

Ethnography is best suited to ______

A) descriptive studies of clients when you need to know things like gender, age, and income level
B) evaluative studies where client outcomes are to be measured
C) the study of the relationship between two or more variables because you believe that one of these variables explains the other
D) the study of a culture in depth

Question 9

An initial step in ethnographic research is that the researcher ______.

A) gains entry into the field in order to gain acceptance by the people in the culture that is being studied
B) analyzes the data that were collected in order to better understand the norms of the culture
C) tests the hypothesis with the use of an appropriate statistical test
D) draws conclusions about what is expected to be found by the study

Question 10

The ethnographic researcher ______.

A) avoids getting involved with members of the culture being studied so as to avoid developing any biases about the subject of the study
B) immerses himself or herself in the culture being investigated through such locations as favorite community organizations or grocery stores
C) places emphasis upon facts that fulfill the expectations of the hypothesis that is being tested
D) focuses upon data from official sources that reveal facts about the culture

Question 11

The purpose of grounded theory is to ______

A) test theories that are well known through explanatory research studies
B) study a single culture in regard to concrete characteristics such as age, income, and family structure
C) confirm existing theories through quantitative research
D) develop theories or hypotheses regarding social behavior that are derived from observations of people

Question 12

Suppose you wanted to engage in a comprehensive study of the presidential election of 2016. Which of these would be most appropriate for this endeavor?

A) ethnography
B) utilization-focused evaluation
C) the case study
D) grounded theory

Question 13

Before you collect data in qualitative research, you must ______

A) develop a general theme of research interest and examine a knowledge base that provides guidance on what to look for and how to look for it
B) review relevant data structures and the statistic that would be appropriate for each
C) identify the characteristics of people that you wish to describe, such as gender, race, and income
D) identify the conclusions you would like to be able to draw from your study

Question 14

Analytic induction is best defined as a means of inquiry that ______.

A) employs quantitative data analysis related to social behavior that uses a random sample of people
B) is designed to generate knowledge that typically employs a structure of interviews where each interview has the potential of either supporting the initial perspective on the subject or refining it in some way
C) employs a mailed survey with a set of open-ended questions that ask for words to explain the themes of the study
D) reviews quantitative data in the testing of a hypothesis using a quasi-experimental design

Question 15

Analytic inductions can best be used to do which of the following?

A) test a hypothesis where knowledge is well known and the hypothesis is now well supported by existing research
B) examine theories about human dysfunction with a particular focus on age as a critical variable
C) support an existing hypothesis
D) refine, or improve, an existing hypothesis

Question 16

What are the components of a case study design?

A) the study's questions
B) the study's questions and propositions
C) the study's questions, propositions, and unit of analysis
D) the study's questions, propositions, unit of analysis, and hypothesis

Question 17

Utilization-focused evaluation is an approach that ______

A) gives the key power in the research process to intended users of the evaluation
B) provides extreme clarity, from the onset of the research process, on the definitions and measurement methods of the variables to be studied
C) provides the best chance that the hypothesis will be confirmed
D) employs quantitative measurement in the testing of the research hypothesis

Question 18

Step one in the process of conducting utilization-focused evaluation is identifying ______

A) research questions
B) stakeholders and intended users of the evaluation
C) the means for collecting data
D) the study hypothesis

Question 19

Which of the following would be the best example of a semi-structured interview question?

A) What is your thinking about the meaning of life's challenges?
B) Are you currently married?
C) Do you enjoy watching sports events on television?
D) What are the three things you are most likely to do when you are under stress?

Question 20

Which of the following best describes a focus group?

A) a method of gathering qualitative data that entails a group meeting where questions are discussed and conclusions are drawn
B) a method of gathering quantitative data from people using a social survey, usually one that is mailed to respondents
C) a group that sets priorities for the human service agency on an annual basis after conducting interviews of staff members
D) a group that designs an evaluation study for the human service agency

Question 21

A social survey is a purposeful inquiry into a subject for a designated sample of people by a researcher using a recording instrument.

Question 22

In all forms of data analysis for the qualitative type of measurement, you will have words to analyze.

Question 23

Content analysis of qualitative data can be distinguished from narrative analysis in that content analysis focuses upon stories rather than segments of information.

Question 24

In qualitative research, an advantage of content analysis is that it will better portray the social context of the phenomenon you are analyzing.

Question 25

In qualitative data analysis, a code is a word or phrase that conveys the meaning of a segment of content.

Question 26

The unit of analysis is the entity upon which you will collect your data in the case study, such as the Apex Human Service Agency or the Fourth of July Celebration in Johnston County in 2019.

Question 27

One of the things that qualitative and quantitative research have in common is that both are focused upon the cherry-picking of information that supports the theory under consideration.

Question 28

Both qualitative and quantitative inquiries rely upon a knowledge base.

Question 29

A first-level code in content analysis would represent categories of second-level codes (i.e., the concept that binds together several second-level codes).

Question 30

The phases of exploratory research using qualitative measurement include (1) the development of the research question and knowledge base, (2) the development of the study methods to be employed, (3) the collection and analysis of data, and (4) the drawing of conclusions.

Question 31

Explain the distinction between ethnography and the case study with regard to its major focus. Give an example of a research question that would be appropriate for each.

Question 32

Explain the distinction between narrative analysis and content analysis in qualitative research with reference to its form. Give an example of a research question for each.

Question 33

Identify three ways that qualitative and quantitative research are similar.

Question 34

Explain which means of measurement (qualitative or quantitative) is better for each of the following situations: (1) your are testing a hypothesis rather than developing a new one; (2) you are examining a theme where little is known so there are not many theories about it, and (3) you are seeking to identify the subjective meaning of certain ideas in the minds of students.

Question 35

Compose a research question that would be appropriate for a focus group dialogue and explain why the focus group would be more appropriate than one of the other means of data collection (e.g., the interview or the social survey) in qualitative research.