Deck 13: Ethnographic Research

Question 1

Which of the following researchers most clearly illustrates behavior similar to that of an ethnographer who is studying gifted education?

A) Laurie conducts observations in several classrooms for one week each.
B) Mindy surveys the gifted students regarding their self-concept and correlates self-concept with their IQ score.
C) Len conducts a database study that compares the standardized test scores of students in gifted programs and those enrolled in advanced classes.
D) Dave observes in a single gifted classroom for the academic year.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Of the following research topics, which would most likely be addressed through ethnographic research?

A) The benefits of drama experiences on standardized tests
B) The relationship between drama experiences and personality type
C) The drama skill development of novice actors in their first production
D) The differences between novice and experienced actors on acting attitude profiles

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following researchers most clearly illustrates behavior similar to that of an ethnographer who is studying homeschoolers' practices?

A) Tina examines Department of Education data to determine how many hours a day homeschoolers' teach.
B) HYPERLINK "http://www.weddingvendors.com/baby-names/meaning/danylko/" Danylko compares the incidence of homeschooling in the US versus in the Ukraine.
C) HYPERLINK "http://www.weddingvendors.com/baby-names/meaning/oakes/" Oakes studies three homeschoolers daily routines over the course of a two-year span.
D) HYPERLINK "http://www.weddingvendors.com/baby-names/meaning/vachel/" Vachel surveys homeschoolers to determine how many teach languages to their pupils.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Kent is an ethnographer interested in the experiences of superintendents who deal with serious school violence incidents. Of the following which is most likely a primary research strategy for Kent?

A) He will survey superintendents regarding the strategies they have in place to handle such incidents.
B) He will shadow a superintendent during and for six months after a serious incident.
C) He will interview superintendents who have dealt with such incidents regarding the perceived strengths and weaknesses of their approach.
D) He will observe and interview parents whose children were affected by a serious school violence incident.

Question 5

Danika recently presented her dissertation study at a national conference. The focus of her research was standardized testing. If she conducted ethnographic research which were likely primary data sources for her study?

A) A district's scores on the tests administered
B) A matrix showing correspondence between curriculum and the test
C) Observations of curriculum coordinators
D) Interviews parents whose students did not fair well on the test

Question 6

According to your text, which of the following is NOT a form of ethnographic research?

A) Critical ethnography
B) Immersion ethnography
C) Ethnographic case study
D) Realist ethnography

Question 7

According to your text, after determining the site and sample selection, an ethnographic researcher will then

A) identify the purpose of the study.
B) describe the researcher's role in the study.
C) secure permissions and negotiate entry.
D) begin data collection, including observation.

Question 8

According to your text, which of the following should ethnographic researchers consider when describing culture?

A) Shared cultural knowledge
B) Descriptive culture
C) Cultural understanding
D) Cultural orientation

Question 9

Eadan, an ethnographic researcher, is interested in studying the experiences of emerging scholars navigating their dissertation committees as they conduct narrative research. Which of the following is a typical primary data collection strategy for Eadan?

A) He will use a LimeSurveyPro to distribute a survey to all students at his university conducting qualitative research.
B) He will scour all recently completed dissertations to interview those scholars about their experiences.
C) He will interview faculty members about their opinions about the feasibility and the challenges of completing a narrative dissertation.
D) He will select a couple of emerging narrative scholars to follow and observe through the dissertation process.

Question 10

Jill is an ethnographic researcher who is interested in the before school gymnasium club (BSGC) students. Students in the BSGC come to school early each day to play unstructured games in the middle school gym. Which of the following is a typical data collection scenario for her research?

A) Jill collects surveys from parents and teachers regarding the BSGC.
B) Jill considers the trends of number of students in the BSGC for an academic year.
C) Jill goes to BSGC and observes student behaviors for the academic year.
D) Jill surveys BSGC students' and non BSGC students' overall activity level and BMI.

Question 11

Chuck is interested in understanding the PDS movement spearheaded by a consortium of teacher-researchers, university researchers, and funding agents. He wants to understand the "culture of change" within the group and how that evolves over time. Of the following, which type of data collection strategy will be of primary concern for Chuck?

A) Participant observation
B) Surveys about culture
C) Achievement tests
D) Teacher constructed assessments

Question 12

According to your text, the first step in ethnographic research is to

A) describe the site
B) select the sample
C) identify the purpose of the study
D) seek permissions to study the setting.

Question 13

The purpose of ethnographic research project that examines study hall behaviors might be to

A) understand the nature of students' study hall behaviors.
B) report the number of study hall minutes wasted by typical sophomore students.
C) demonstrate the value of study hall for all students
D) show the relationship between study hall time and academic achievement

Question 14

One of the goals while engaging in participant observation is to

A) remain objective.
B) be brief.
C) engage in activities.
D) seek truth.

Question 15

Which of the following researchers most clearly illustrates behavior similar to that of an ethnographer who is studying character education programs?

A) Mickey compares achievement of those in character education programs to achievement of those not in such programs.
B) Maya examines how enrollment in character education programs predicts career outcomes.
C) Michele assists as a support teacher in a character education program for the academic year.
D) Mindy surveys students in character education programs about why they enroll in such programs.

Question 16

Ethnographers are most interested in data that support

A) relationships among variables.
B) predictions variables can make.
C) cultural patterns of participants.
D) calculation of pertinent statistics.

Question 17

Which of the following is the most likely primary data source for Jane, an ethnographic researcher who studies the lives of those who train service animals?

A) Surveys of her population about why they became trainers.
B) Personality assessments of animal trainers.
C) Interviews of eight animal trainers.
D) Observations as an assistant to an animal trainer.

Question 18

According to your text, which of the following is a form of ethnographic research?

A) Objective ethnography
B) Realist ethnography
C) Empirical ethnography
D) Descriptive ethnography

Question 19

Daniel is an ethnographic researcher who studies the daily lives of Migrant children. Which of the following is most likely a primary data collection technique for Daniel to use in his study?

A) Surveys
B) Standardized assessments
C) Interviews
D) Participant observation

Question 20

Daniel is an ethnographic researcher who studies the daily lives of Migrant children. Of the following, which is the most likely field of study for Dan's training?

A) Cultural anthropology
B) Clinical psychology
C) Demographic sociology
D) Spatial geography

Question 21

Brad is researching the incidence of eating disorders in boys' Olympic development sports programs. As an ethnographic researcher, which of the following is likely part of Brad's work.

A) Brad is testing the hypothesis that some Olympic development programs have a high incidence of boys' eating disorders.
B) Brad uses a survey technique and collects data from several different sports to compare incidence of eating disorders.
C) Brad goes to Olympic Development sports programs and follows a couple targeted athletes for several years as they progress through their programs.
D) Brad interviews coaches about the acceptance and incidence of boys' eating disorders in Olympic Development programs worldwide.

Question 22

As an ethnographic researcher studying new teachers' voice, Wes goes to a school and observes the activities and other aspects of the school. He goes to faculty meetings and spends most days shadowing his two participants for the academic year but has no responsibilities in the setting other than observation. Wes is engaging in

A) active participant observation.
B) systematic observation.
C) privileged, active observation.
D) passive observation.

Question 23

Which of the following is a primary purpose of the ethnographic researcher?

A) To describe and interpret culture
B) To generate findings that is replicable
C) To objectively report general findings
D) To measure educational constructs

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of ethnographic research?

A) Prolonged time in the research setting
B) Multiple data collection techniques
C) A deductive approach to data collection
D) Discerning patterns and regularities of human behavior

Question 25

Jaytee wants to conduct an ethnography to bring attention to inequality among ESL students in school and advocate for changes. Which of type of ethnographic research generally found in education?

A) Ethnographic case study
B) Critical ethnography
C) Realist ethnography
D) Ethnographic novels

Question 26

Recent research in early childhood literacy motivation has indicated that a subset of learners report being very motivated for reading but their teachers and parents do not report them to be motivated. Ingram, an ethnographic researcher, wants to further study this discrepancy. Which of the following is the most likely research strategy for Ingram?

A) Ingram will correlate students' comprehension scores with their reported motivation.
B) Ingram will examine the differences in reading achievement between students' who reported being motivated and those who did not report motivation.
C) Ingram will observe children in classroom settings during literacy activities.
D) Ingram will determine the range of responses generally found on her motivation scales.

Question 27

Of the following types of ethnographies, which represents a report of the ethnographer's field work experiences?

A) Microethnography
B) Critical ethnography
C) Ethnographic case study
D) Confessional ethnography

Question 28

In a recent study, Gaia spent a full cycle in a home school community. She worked with home school families and their children to better understand the home schooling community and culture. Gaia has written a report of her fieldwork experiences. What type of ethnography does Gaia's report present?

A) Confessional ethnography
B) Life history
C) Critical ethnography.
D) Ethnographic case study

Question 29

Those interested in school violence are concerned with alienated middle school children. Eada, an ethnographic researcher, wants to explore the experiences of these children in more depth. Which of the following is the most likely research strategy for Eada?

A) Eada will assess alienated children from several schools with Likert scales that address violent tendencies.
B) Eada will observe, question, and study a subset of alienated children in one middle school over the course of a semester.
C) Eada will provide a questionnaire to a single alienated child in a middle school and follow up with counseling.
D) Eada will observe, question, and study a subset of alienated children in one middle school for an entire day.

Question 30

Millie is an ethnographic researcher studying the development of language in young children from bilingual homes. She studies these children in childcare settings in which the child's second language is the language used. She observes the children as a 'visitor' in their classes for the first three months of their emersion in their new school setting. While there she takes down extensive notes in a notebook as she observes. She also often records small brief notes to herself on little green sheets that she keeps separate from her notebook. Given this scenario, Millie is most likely demonstrating which of the following types of ethnography?

A) Life History
B) Confessional ethnography
C) Autoethnography
D) Ethnographic case study

Question 31

Vasha is a member of a relatively large number of African Americans in Appalachia. Her ancestors escaped the slave states and set roots in southern West Virginia. She is studying the role that informal education in the home plays in this cultural group. Her work will be a reflective self-examination as she is a member of the culture that she is studying. Which of the following types of ethnographies is Vasha likely conducting?

A) Realist ethnography
B) Authoethnography
C) Feminist ethnography
D) Confessional ethnography

Question 32

Anu has focused his ethnography on teenagers in the foster care system. The aim of his work is to advocate for a larger number of placements for these children as many families feel the challenges of raising foster teenage children are too great, and therefore select to foster younger children. Anu's ethnography would be best classified as a(n)

A) autoethnography.
B) critical ethnography.
C) realist ethnography.
D) confessional ethnography.

Question 33

Which of the following types of ethnography is defined as an ethnography written in objective style with common categories for cultural description?

A) Realist ethnography
B) Life history
C) Critical ethnography
D) Ethnographic novel

Question 34

Qing is an ethnographic researcher interested in understanding the culture of youth track and field athletics. He needs to focus on behaviors that will help him to do so. Which of the following is something Qing will attend to?

A) Ethnographic understanding
B) Deductive reasoning
C) Narrative reasoning
D) Cultural understanding

Question 35

Of the following, which is often considered a significant challenge of ethnographic research?

A) The lack of reliability in ethnographic research.
B) The lack of internal validity of ethnographic research.
C) The amount of time ethnographic research takes.
D) The number of instruments needed to conduct ethnographic research.

Question 36

An ethnographic account is generally written as a(n)

A) narrative.
B) technical report.
C) autobiography.
D) biography.

Question 37

When researchers rely on more than one means of data collection to describe, analyze, and interpret a research setting, they are said to be using which of the following procedures?

A) Context validity
B) Triangulation
C) Generalization
D) Integration

Question 38

Which of the following is a characteristic of ethnographic research?

A) Data are primarily collected through fieldwork experiences.
B) Ethnographic research is most often completed by research teams.
C) Ethnographic research requires little training but instead relies on intuition.
D) Ethnographic research is objective and devoid of political context.

Question 39

Mia has completed an ethnographic study of the role of achievement testing in a Taiwanese gifted school. Of the following, which type of ethnography does her study most likely represent?

A) Ethnographic case study
B) Feminist ethnography
C) Life history
D) Autoethnography

Question 40

Paulo is an ethnographic researcher interested in studying career transitions. He has identified the purpose of his study, framed the study within a larger theoretical orientation, described the rationale for the study, and posed initial ethnographic research questions. Next, Paulo will

A) write the ethnographic account.
B) write an initial ethnographic account.
C) determine the site and sample selection.
D) begin data collection at the site.

Question 41

Shar is interested in the experiences of high profile community members who serve community service for Driving Under the Influence of drugs or alcohol. For her study she is going to engage in community service with several offenders. Shar's ethnographic report will most likely represent which of the following types of ethnographies?

A) Autoethnography
B) Critical ethnography
C) Microethnography
D) Ethnographic case study

Question 42

Which of the following is considered an important social behavior for participant observation?

A) Maintaining a 'social distance' from the participants
B) Critiquing the participants that you are observing
C) Allowing a tolerance for ambiguity and maintaining patience
D) Keeping your work privileged for ethical considerations

Question 43

Millie is an ethnographic researcher studying the development of language in young children from bilingual homes. She takes down extensive notes in a notebook as she observes. She also often records small brief notes to herself on little green sheets that she keeps separate from her notebook. The extensive notes Millie records in her notebook best represent

A) memos.
B) protocols.
C) field notes.
D) jottings.

Question 44

Xavier is an ethnographer studying doctor/patient relations. As a certified Physician's Assistant, he agrees to donate some of his skills in the weekend clinic in return for the opportunity to conduct his study. While doing his work, he meets with patients and physicians and is able to play both the role of observer and physician's assistant. In this scenario, Xavier best represents which of the following types of observer?

A) Active participant observer
B) Privileged, active observer
C) Passive observer
D) Nonformal observer

Question 45

Which of the following statements regarding field notes is consistent with recommendations made in your text?

A) Field notes should only contain factual observations.
B) Field notes should be as concise as possible
C) Field notes should be written as soon as possible after an observation.
D) Field notes are generally used as a secondary data source in ethnographic research.

Question 46

Shar is interested in the experiences of high profile community members who serve community service for Driving Under the Influence of drugs or alcohol. For her study she is going to engage in community service with several offenders. Shar's status would best be described as which of the following types of observers?

A) Passive observer
B) Determined observer
C) Privileged, active observer
D) Active participant observer

Question 47

Which of the following is NOT consistent with the guidelines for fieldwork and field notes as presented in your text?

A) Clearly separate description from interpretation and judgment.
B) Maintain a 'clear distance' and use informal observation when possible.
C) Gather a variety of information from different perspectives.
D) Represent people in their own terms.

Question 48

Xavier is an ethnographer studying doctor/patient relations. As a certified Physician's Assistant, he agrees to donate some of his skills in the weekend clinic in return for the opportunity to conduct his study. By agreeing to donate hours in the weekend clinic to gain access for his study, Xavier is best illustrating

A) reciprocity.
B) tolerance for ambiguity.
C) triangulation.
D) maintaining rapport.