Deck 13: Field Research

Question 1

What is ethnography? Why is ethnography often considered a methodology rather than a method?

Answer 1

Ethnography is basically describing a culture and understanding another way of life from the native or insider’s point of view.
Ethnographies are a particular approach to doing fieldwork: doing field research is a core part of ethnography but usually just one part of an ethnographic study.
An ethnographer usually obtains and analyzes other forms of data as well,including qualitative interviews and archival documents.
Ethnography is a collection of methods that are tied together by an underlying theoretical orientation.

Question 2

Field researchers often use nonprobability samples,which means that they may take a smaller,selective set of observations from all possible observations.Identify and briefly describe four different types of units a field researcher might sample.

Answer 2

Time: A researcher samples time by observing a setting at different times-he or she observes at all times of the day,on every day of the week,and in all seasons to get a full sense of how the field site stays the same or changes.
Location: A researcher samples locations because one location may give depth,but a narrow perspective-sitting or standing in different locations helps the researcher get a sense of the whole site.
People: Field researchers sample people by focusing their attention on different kinds of people-old-timers and newcomers,old and young,males and females,leaders and followers.
Events: A field researcher also samples various kinds of events-routine,special,and unanticipated.

Question 3

What are five things a field researcher does? Briefly describe each one.

Answer 3

Observes ordinary events,everyday activities,and unusual occurrences as they happen in natural settings
Becomes directly involved with the people being studied and personally experiences the process of daily social life in the field setting
Acquires an insider’s point of view while maintaining the analytic perspective or distance of an outsider
Uses a variety of techniques and social skills in a flexible manner as the situation demands
Produces data in the form of extensive written notes,as well as diagrams,maps,or pictures to provide very detailed descriptions
Sees events holistically (i.e.,as a whole unit,not in pieces)and individually in their social context
Understands and develops empathy for members in a field setting,and does not just record “cold,”objective facts
Notices both explicit and tacit aspects of culture
Observes ongoing social processes without upsetting,disrupting,or imposing an outside point of view
Copes with high levels of personal stress,uncertainty,ethical dilemmas,and ambiguity

Question 4

Which of the following statements best describes the art and logic of field research?

A)It is easily replicated.
B)It is the most expensive data collection technique.
C)It produces generalizable laws about human behaviour.
D)It is usually conducted by a researcher alone or in a small team.
E)It involves looking at a setting from a single point of view or perspective.

Question 5

When it comes to adopting a role in the field research setting,what three questions should the researcher ask him or herself? Briefly describe each issue.

Question 6

In the field,the researcher becomes an instrument that absorbs all sources of information.What sorts of things does a field researcher observe in order to collect good qualitative field data? Provide examples for each one.

Question 7

What are three important issues the field researcher should consider when devising a strategy for entering a field research site?

Question 8

Describe the criteria by which qualitative studies can be assessed that generally correspond to the quantitative concerns of validity,generalizability,reliability,and objectivity.How can the qualitative researcher be sure that each of these criteria is met in his or her research project?

Question 9

What type of study best typifies field research?

A)An examination of the similarities and differences in attitudes or behaviours between two groups of people
B)A study that requires the researcher to administer a survey to individuals in small group settings
C)Studying people in a specific location or a particular setting
D)Situations where the researcher is not able to directly interact with the participants
E)Any study that requires analysis of a sampled population

Question 10

Describe the various types of field notes that researchers take.What function does each type serve?

Question 11

What are three types of maps and diagrams a field researcher would create? What is the purpose of maps and diagrams?

Question 12

What three factors are relevant when choosing a field site? Which of these three factors are most applicable to the beginner field researcher? Why?

Question 13

What are the three levels of involvement in field research? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each one?

Question 14

Describe four ethical dilemmas that field researchers are most likely to confront during and after the course of their research.How should the field researcher deal with each dilemma?

Question 15

Describe the basic steps a researcher should follow when preparing a field research project.

Question 16

Briefly describe the main features of "participatory action research" (PAR).What one major feature distinguishes this approach from all other quantitative and qualitative approaches?

Question 17

A cultural norm,such as knowing the appropriate distance at which to stand from others,is a specific example of

A)universal knowledge.
B)naturalism.
C)explicit knowledge.
D)observational knowledge.
E)tacit knowledge.

Question 18

Naturalism and direct involvement mean that field research is ________ than quantitative research.

A)less structured
B)more structured
C)less meaningful
D)more rigid
E)less flexible

Question 19

What kinds of issues are field researchers confronted with when it comes to the problem of adopting social roles in the field research setting?

Question 20

Ethnography is often considered a ________ rather than a ________.

A)method;methodology
B)methodology;method
C)technique;method
D)general theoretical orientation;specific theoretical orientation
E)method;technique

Question 21

In relation to the quality of data gathered during observations of a field site,which of the following statements best describes the concern regarding transferability?

A)How consistent the results would be if the study were repeated under similar conditions
B)An awareness of how the researcher may be influencing the behaviour of the group being studied
C)Asking members of the group whether or not they agree with the researcher’s findings and conclusions
D)The extent to which the researcher has remained in the field long enough in order to make informed conclusions about what is being observed
E)The extent to which the findings of the study can be applied to other contexts

Question 22

If one is in a field setting where there are opposing groups in conflict with one another,the best thing to do is

A)immediately choose one group and side with it.Becoming a strong advocate for its position is the best way to gain trust and intimacy.
B)leave the field immediately.Researchers must avoid all conflict and stay neutral.
C)try to be as impartial as possible.Explain that you are neutral to both sides to keep lines of communication open.
D)take an active role as mediator.Use your influence to get the groups to be friendly with each other and end their fighting.
E)use the opportunity to leave the setting entirely.A field researcher must never be privy to group conflict.

Question 23

When does theory come into play in the writing of field notes?

A)Personal notes
B)Inference notes
C)Direct observation notes
D)Jotted notes
E)Analytical notes

Question 24

Which of the following is a recommendation for taking good field notes?

A)Totally substitute tape or video recording for the old-fashioned system of writing notes.
B)Record field events in any order;do not worry about putting them in a time order or organizing them chronologically.
C)Ignore small talk or routine information that does not seem important to save space.
D)Do not “let your feelings flow,”but be objective and think through everything before writing,using complete sentences,proper punctuation,and correct spelling.
E)Reread notes periodically and record any ideas that come to you from the rereading.

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT one of the things a field researcher does?

A)Observes ordinary events and everyday activities as they happen in natural settings,in addition to any unusual occurrences
B)Acquires an insider’s point of view while maintaining the analytic perspective or distance of an outsider
C)Maintains cool detachment from members in a field setting
D)Produces data in the form of extensive written notes,as well as diagrams,maps,or pictures to provide very detailed descriptions
E)Copes with high levels of personal stress,uncertainty,ethical dilemmas,and ambiguity

Question 26

When observing in the field observation,Sally Ann helped the daycare teachers clean up at the end of the day.She also answered the telephone when everyone else was busy.This illustrates

A)“cooling out”the gatekeepers.
B)the use of small favours.
C)appearances of interest.
D)managing conflicts in the field.
E)cultivating social relations.

Question 27

As a field researcher,Sally Ann adopts the attitude of strangeness.This means that she

A)is strange,because only strange people want to do social research.
B)finds it difficult to conduct social research on strangers.
C)acts as if she knows less than she really does and puts on a “front”as if she were ignorant of what is going on.
D)remains distant,cold,and angry toward members in the field setting.
E)questions and notices ordinary details as if she was a stranger.

Question 28

In field research,the instrument(s)for measuring field data

A)is the field site.
B)are the recorded conversations and observations with the members of the field site.
C)are the members of the field site.
D)are the field notes.
E)is the researcher.

Question 29

During which of the following steps or phases in field research does a researcher need to become concerned with issues of negotiation and disclosure?

A)During the preparation,reading,and defocusing phase
B)When selecting a field site and thinking about how to gain access to it
C)When entering the field and establishing social relations with members of the field site
D)During the process of adopting a social role and learning the ropes
E)At every step of the research process

Question 30

A field researcher's jotted notes should

A)only include key words or short phrases to stir the memory.
B)be written inconspicuously,especially for covert observation.
C)never be a complete substitute for field notes.
D)be written in a small notebook,the back of a pamphlet,or even on a napkin if necessary.
E)all of the above.

Question 31

The field researcher should

A)not expect personal stress or psychological discomfort,but plan for a relaxing and totally enjoyable experience.
B)disguise or obscure the names of those being studied and keep information confidential or even write them in code.
C)never use personal connections or friendships to gain entry into a field setting.
D)resolve all ethical dilemmas,problems,and issues before entering the field.
E)avoid the “learner”or “incompetent”social role,but instead appear to be in command at all times and be the expert on the scene.

Question 32

During his observation of behaviour in a university computer lab,Dren Derob made a map that illustrated the placement of chairs,tables,computer monitors,the chalkboard,doorways,and windows.What kind of map did Dren make?

A)A spatial map
B)A spatial map and a temporal map
C)A temporal map and a social map
D)A temporal map
E)A social map

Question 33

During the process of observation in the field site,the researcher notes seemingly mundane and trivial details,such as neatness,dress,and hairstyle.What broader category of observations do neatness,dress,and hairstyle refer to?

A)Physical surroundings
B)Physical characteristics
C)Behaviour
D)Physical appearances
E)The rhythms of the setting

Question 34

What are the three most relevant factors a beginner should consider when selecting a field research site?

A)Richness of data,familiarity with the site,and suitability of the site
B)Ease of entry,familiarity with the site,and suitability of the site
C)Richness of data,ease of entry,familiarity with the site
D)Richness of data,unfamiliarity with the site,and suitability of the site
E)Richness of data,ease of entry,and suitability of the site

Question 35

When does "guilty knowledge" occur?

A)A researcher becomes overinvolved in the field setting and loses objectivity or the role of researcher becomes a complete participant
B)The researcher selects a smaller set of observations based on time or activity in order to further develop theory and test developing hypotheses
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
E)A person with formal or informal authority controls access to the field setting

Question 36

Professor John Johnson has selected a field research site based on the following criteria: the amount of time available to him for carrying out the project,his research skills,and the kinds of conflicts that exist between people who inhabit the site.On what basis did the professor make his choice?

A)Unfamiliarity with the site
B)Familiarity with the site
C)Suitability of the site
D)Richness of data
E)Accessibility to the site

Question 37

Dren Derob's field notes containing his observations of behaviour in a university computer lab contained the following observation: "Sandy appears very self-conscious of herself today ...she seems a little out of place ...I think she's nervous about something." What type of field note does this kind of observation refer to?

A)Direct observation note
B)Researcher inference note
C)Jotted note
D)Analytic note
E)Personal note

Question 38

Some experienced researchers argue that when theory building ceases or reaches a closure,it is time to

A)write up the results.
B)analyze the field notes and other sources of data taken from the research site.
C)start looking for additional sources of information.
D)leave the field.
E)consider what the secondary literature has said about similar kinds of research.

Question 39

As a ________,the researcher's role is limited to simple observation.

A)complete participant
B)semi-observer
C)complete observer
D)overt observer
E)semi-participant

Question 40

During her field research project at a daycare centre,Sally Ann described social research to the daycare centre workers,told them about her own background,and ignored minor violations of official rules.This illustrates

A)normalizing social field research.
B)use of small favours.
C)negotiating with a gatekeeper.
D)appearance of interest.
E)attitude of strangeness.

Question 41

Which of the following is not one of the four characteristics of a key informant?

A)Familiar with culture
B)Shares the researcher’s values
C)Currently involved in the culture
D)Can spend time with the researcher
E)Nonanalytical

Question 42

Which of the following is not one of the practices qualitative researchers employ to enhance the credibility of research?

A)Prolonged engagement
B)Member checking
C)Audit trail
D)Negative case analysis
E)B and C

Question 43

Define the following:complete participant

Question 44

Define the following:covert observer

Question 45

Define the following:credibility

Question 46

Define the following:attitude of strangeness

Question 47

Define the following:dependability

Question 48

Define the following:complete observer

Question 49

Which of the following practices is best suited enhancing the confirmability of research?

A)Prolonged engagement
B)Thick description
C)Reflexivity
D)External audit
E)Negative case analysis

Question 50

Define the following:audit trail

Question 51

In the field,__________ are digressions into theory that researchers in the field use to elaborate ideas in depth,while __________ are detailed notes about concrete events that are written in a way that permits multiple interpretations later.

A)researcher inference notes;jotted notes
B)researcher inference notes;personal notes
C)personal notes;researcher inference notes
D)direct observation notes;analytical memos
E)analytical memos;direct observation notes

Question 52

In conducting the field research components of her ethnographic study of a small religious group,Bethany Bennett sat in when members assembled for weekly meetings at elders homes,but did not engage in nightly prayer sessions.Which of the following best describes Bethany?

A)Complete observer
B)Complete participant
C)Semi-observer
D)Semi-participant
E)Semi-immersed

Question 53

Liam Lonely cut off communication with his friends and family in order to completely immerse himself in his role as a field researcher studying gang culture.Feeling lonely and isolated,Liam built a friendship with one of the gang members,Bobby Badseed.Soon,Liam stopped thinking of himself as a researcher and took on the role of a full-fledged gang member.Which of the following best describes Liam's change?

A)Naturalizing research
B)Normalizing research
C)Becoming a complete participant
D)Honest immersion
E)Going native.

Question 54

Which of the following practices is best suited to enhancing the transferability of research?

A)Thick description
B)Generalizability
C)Member checking
D)External audit
E)Negative case analysis

Question 55

Define the following:direct observation notes

Question 56

Which one of Lincoln and Guba's (1985)criteria is most closely associated with the quantitative idea of reliability?

A)Confirmability
B)Credibility
C)Validity
D)Dependability
E)Transferability

Question 57

Define the following:appearance of interest

Question 58

How should a researcher get ready to embark on a field research project?

A)Read the scholarly literature
B)Develop a specific hypothesis
C)Empty out his or her mind of preconceptions
D)A & B
E)A & C

Question 59

Define the following:analytical memos

Question 60

Define the following:confirmability

Question 61

Define the following:gatekeeper

Question 62

Define the following:guilty knowledge

Question 63

Define the following:reflexivity

Question 64

Define the following:naturalism

Question 65

Define the following:participatory action research

Question 66

Define the following:field site

Question 67

Define the following:external audit:

Question 68

Define the following:jotted notes

Question 69

Define the following:member-checking

Question 70

Define the following:key informant

Question 71

Define the following:overt observer

Question 72

Define the following:exchange relationships

Question 73

Define the following:normalize social research

Question 74

Define the following:semi-participant

Question 75

Define the following:negative case analysis

Question 76

Define the following:prolonged engagement

Question 77

Define the following:methodology

Question 78

Define the following:thick description

Question 79

Define the following:go native

Question 80

Define the following:ethnography