Deck 7: Participant Observation and Case Studies

Question 1

Polsky suggests that it is both wise and possible to study criminals in their natural environment.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Probability sampling is the most often used strategy in participant observation.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

In participant observation it is best to get on with the task at hand and directly ask the respondents the questions one wants answers to.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Surprisingly, a disproportionate number of police studies have utilized participant observation as the major means of data gathering.

Question 5

Due to the many sources of error inherent in surveys and experiments, field surveys are more preferred and superior methods.

Question 6

There is a unanimous agreement among those conducting participant observation in criminal justice research that the investigator should avoid moralistic stances.

Question 7

The "Chicago School of Sociology" in the twenties was a leading advocate of field studies.

Question 8

Despite some shortcomings, experiments remain the most effective means of gathering data.

Question 9

The text agrees with the notion, "it takes one to know one," or that observers must actively participate in the activities of or possess the characteristics of the subjects of study in order to understand them.

Question 10

A gatekeeper is an insider or person willing to vouch for the researcher's presence.

Question 11

Disguised observation in which the researcher pretends to be a member of the group is the desired strategy in field studies.

Question 12

In participant observation of criminals one should learn the argot, but avoid overusing it.

Question 13

In his research Orne discovered that most experimental research subjects will balk when asked to perform meaning less or ridiculous tasks.

Question 14

Participant observers should usually record notes or impor tant details on the spot, while it is happening.

Question 15

Ethnography and ethnomethodology are examples of qualitative data gathering procedures.

Question 16

The text took the point of view that the only perfect research is no research.

Question 17

Most participant observers agree that it is a good idea to study groups with which you are already familiar or of which you are a member.

Question 18

A "verstehen" approach to data gathering involves a more qualitative, sensitizing strategy.

Question 19

Contrary to advice offered by other writers, Polsky feels that it is very possible to study criminals in their natural environment.

Question 20

LaPiere's restaurant study found that, even though the majority of restaurant owners indicated they would serve an oriental couple, most actually refused them service.

Question 21

Which of the four types of participant observation is the type most researchers identify as being participant observa tion?

A) complete participation
B) participant as observer
C) observer as participant
D) complete observation

Question 22

Single subject designs are time?series designs of groups.

Question 23

Single subject designs are more practical for clinical service providers than group designs.

Question 24

Single subject designs involve qualitative case studies for practitioner settings.

Question 25

Which of the following was not suggested as appropriate procedure in doing participant observation of criminals?

A) get on with the purpose of the study and ask the subjects what you want to know
B) avoid taking notes on the spot
C) as soon as possible, indicate one's true purpose of study
D) snowball sampling is a useful procedure

Question 26

Traditional social science research utilizing group designs are often inapplicable to case studies and practitioner needs.

Question 27

Single subject designs are superior to traditional group designs.

Question 28

Single subject designs have greater generalizability than group designs.

Question 29

What type of sampling procedure is most widely used in participant observation?

A) snowball
B) stratified
C) systematic
D) quota

Question 30

A "verstehen" approach to research represents a commitment to a more positivistic or quantitative strategy.

Question 31

Participant observation remains the most effective means of data gathering.

Question 32

Which of the following was not given as an example of a case study in criminal justice?

A) Sutherland's The Professional Thief
B) Klockars' The Professional Fence
C) Chambliss' Box Man
D) Kansas City Preventive Patrol Study

Question 33

"Edgework" or "radical ethnography" involves researchers going to extremes if necessary in pursuit of their subject matter.

Question 34

Participant observation as a data gathering strategy:

A) usually represents a commitment to a more quantitative research orientation
B) may pose potential ethical hazards
C) usually involves minimum contact with subjects
D) requires that the researcher perform all of the activities of the group being studied

Question 35

Aho's study of Idaho Christian Patriots illustrates disguised observation.

Question 36

Participant observation entails:

A) waiting until all observations are completed before recording what has taken place
B) becoming an insider while remaining an outsider
C) extensive use of mechanical aids and recording equipment
D) extensive use of the argot of the group being studied

Question 37

LaPiere's restaurant study found that, even though a major- ity of restaurant owners served an oriental couple, most indicated in a later survey that they would not.

Question 38

The ABA single subject design is an example of a reversal design.

Question 39

Due to police secrecy, participant observation studies of the police have been rare.

Question 40

The ABACA single subject design is an example of a multiple treatment design.

Question 41

In single subject designs, the time interval is usually divided into A (the period) and B (the period).

Question 42

is a term for a system of mutual obligation, trust, and respect between researcher and subject developed during the course of participant observation.

Question 43

is a system of memorizing or the use of simple memorizing devices, particularly in participant observation.

Question 44

Which of the following is generally not a suggested strategy in participant observation?

A) avoid overidentification
B) disguise the fact that one is doing a study
C) announce one's intentions
D) obtain a gatekeeper

Question 45

A type of research strategy in which the researcher takes a more qualitative, sensitizing strategy and immerses himself/ herself in the subject matter describes:

A) single subject designs
B) unobtrusive measures
C) a verstehen strategy
D) observer as participant

Question 46

Pseudonyms are employed in field studies in order to:

A) protect the identity of researchers
B) protect the identity of respondents
C) protect the identity of sponsors
D) protect the identity of politicians

Question 47

Single subject designs are based on:

A) time?series designs
B) cross?sectional designs
C) experimental designs
D) Pre?experimental designs

Question 48

are key persons in field research who will vouch for the researcher's presence and serve as an entree to the field setting.

Question 49

Until recently writers of criminology texts (such as Suther land and Cressey) advised:

A) it is unwise to study criminals in their natural environment
B) participant observation of criminals in the field was a good idea
C) more deceptive research is needed
D) more unobtrusive research is needed

Question 50

Which is not an advantage of participant observation?

A) less prejudgments
B) less disturbance
C) less quantitative
D) less time consuming

Question 51

"Verstehen" involves:

A) quantitative analysis using "ubersetzen"
B) a qualitative or sensitizing strategy
C) a commitment to operationalization
D) subjective bias

Question 52

Discuss some of the major arguments that have been presented against quantitative studies such as surveys and experiments in criminal justice.Do you agree or disagree with these arguments? Explain.

Question 53

Which is not a major problem with participant observation?

A) gaining acceptance
B) maintaining objectivity
C) artificiality
D) avoiding aversion

Question 54

is a situation in which the researcher identifies with and becomes a member of the study group, and in the process abandons his or her role as an objective researcher.

Question 55

are in?depth, qualitative studies of one or a few illustrative cases.

Question 56

_____________ are quantitative case studies that involve longitudinal measurement of a dependent variable on a single subject or case.

Question 57

Which of the following is not true of participant observa tion?

A) involves less prejudgments than experiments
B) is more accurate than experiments
C) is less disturbing of subjects than experiments
D) is more natural than experiments

Question 58

Which of the following is the proper notation for a single subject reversal design?

A) ABACA
B) ABA
C) AB
D) ALIBABA

Question 59

Regarding case studies, Travis indicated:

A) there has been too much reliance on these in criminal justice
B) there have not been enough of these in criminal justice
C) they have eclipsed quantitative methods recently
D) there has been a decline in coverage of these in recent texts

Question 60

Which of the following was not identified as a problem with quantitative means of data gathering such as experiments and surveys?

A) overidentification
B) artificiality
C) nonresponse bias d demand characteristics

Question 61

Some participant observers feel that the researcher should remain objectively neutral and avoid moralistic stances in conducting this research.Utilizing discussion on this issue in the text as a beginning point, what do you view as the proper role of the researcher in criminal justice?

Question 62

Give some examples of the use of the case study approach in criminology.Of what usefulness is such an approach in criminal justice research?

Question 63

Identify and discuss the following three designs: ABA, ABAB, ABACA.

Question 64

What types of ethical dilemmas might be introduced in the process of conducting a participant observation study? How might a researcher properly handle these?

Question 65

What are some of the major advantages/disadvantages of participant observation as a data gathering strategy in criminal justice?

Question 66

Define single subject designs.How do they differ from group designs and what are their principal advantages/disadvantages?