Deck 6: Qualitative Research

Question 1

A goal of qualitative research is to uncover the "multiple truths" that characterize any complex phenomenon or situation.What does the term "multiple truths" refer to in this usage?

Answer 1

Qualitative methodologists generally do not believe in one objective "Truth." Rather, they understand that there are many truths, depending on point of view, circumstance, motivation, and so on.Particularly in regard to complex phenomena or situations, it is important to look for lots of "truths"-from people who hold different points of view and exist in different relationships with the phenomenon or situation.Only in this way can the researcher hope to approach some completeness of understanding.

Question 2

In ______, a body of material is systematically examined for patterns, themes, or biases.

A)case study
B)ethnography
C)grounded theory
D)content analysis

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Qualitative studies typically serve three of the following purposes.Which purpose do they NOT serve?

A)description of situations, processes, relationships, etc.
B)interpretation of information in order to gain new understanding
C)determining the final truth about a situation or phenomenon
D)evaluation of existing policies, practices, etc.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

In ______, a particular individual, program, or event is studied in depth over a defined period of time.

A)case study
B)ethnography
C)phenomenology
D)grounded theory

Question 5

When conducting observations to be used as data in a qualitative study, it is:

A)always necessary to obtain informed consent from those being observed.
B)not necessary to obtain informed consent if the observations are being conducted in a public place.
C)not necessary to obtain informed consent if the observer is in full view of those being observed.
D)only necessary to obtain informed consent if the study will be published.

Question 6

Helen Heartwell flew to New York City a few weeks after the September 11, 2001, bombing of the World Trade Center.She wanted to know how the victims of the attack were making sense of what had happened to them.Dr.Heartwell is probably employing a/an ______ methodology.

A)case study
B)grounded theory
C)phenomenological
D)ethnographic

Question 7

A fundamental pitfall in qualitative research is to confuse the actual observations with the interpretation of the observations.Why is it important that these two things remain distinctly separate?

Question 8

In qualitative research, the fact that the research methodology may be vaguely described or very general in nature at the outset of the study indicates:

A)a normal and acceptable practice.
B)that the study is poorly designed.
C)that the researcher is inexperienced.
D)a common but unprofessional practice.

Question 9

In ______, a particular group of individuals is studied in depth over a defined period of time.

A)case study
B)ethnography
C)phenomenology
D)grounded theory

Question 10

Richard Relic is carefully examining writings from the time of the U.S.Civil War to determine how each side characterized the position of their opponent.Dr.Relic is probably employing a ______ methodology.

A)case study
B)grounded theory
C)phenomenological
D)content analysis

Question 11

The technique of participant observation is most associated with:

A)case study.
B)ethnography.
C)grounded theory.
D)content analysis.

Question 12

Carl Compost has been living and working on a communal organic farm for the past six months.He wants to understand the political, environmental, and social perspectives shared by the members of the commune.Dr.Compost is probably employing a/an ______ methodology.

A)case study
B)ethnographic
C)phenomenological
D)content analysis

Question 13

The constant comparative method of data analysis is most associated with:

A)ethnography.
B)phenomenology.
C)grounded theory.
D)content analysis.

Question 14

Daniel Daring is an emerging playwright whose works have begun to stir great passions in the major U.S.cities where they are staged.Researcher Eugenia Edge is "shadowing" Mr.Daring for six months in an attempt to understand the artistic process.Dr.Edge is probably employing a ______ methodology.

A)case study
B)grounded theory
C)phenomenological
D)content analysis

Question 15

Dr.D is conducting an interview with Amber, who works as a cocktail waitress.Here is an excerpt:
Dr.D: What shift do you typically work?
Amber: Night.I come in a around 7:00 p.m.and work until 2:00 a.m.
Dr.D: Cocktail waitressing has a bad reputation.How bad is it to work here?
Amber: Not so bad.Most of our customers are pretty nice guys.They're
regulars and they don't drink too much and get out of control.In fact, if
one customer is giving me a hard time, another often steps in and helps out.
Dr.D: As the evening progresses, the men give you more and more problems,
don't they? What do you do about that?
Amber: I ignore it as long as I can.I get the manager to step in if they don't
straighten up.

Question 16

______ is most useful in situations where current theory regarding the subject of investigation is inadequate or nonexistent.

A)Case study
B)Ethnography
C)Grounded theory
D)Phenomenology

Question 17

In ______, the researcher studies the deep meaning an event or situation holds for other people.

A)phenomenology
B)ethnography
C)grounded theory
D)content analysis

Question 18

If you interview two people about the same event and their stories diverge at certain points, you can conclude that:

A)at least one of the interviewees is not being fully honest with you.
B)at least one of the participants was not paying attention to what was going on.
C)they didn't really both witness the same event.
D)the meaning people draw from an event can vary from person to person.

Question 19

In qualitative research the ______ is the most important instrument.

A)questionnaire
B)behavior checklist
C)researcher
D)participant

Question 20

Three of the following are techniques that strengthen the objectivity of a qualitative study.Which one is NOT?
a.The researcher should intentionally look for evidence that contradicts his/her hunches or hypotheses.
b.The researcher should collect two or more different kinds of data (e.g., observations and interviews).
c.The researcher should acknowledge personal biases or presumptions in the research report.
d.The researcher should rely as much as possible on a single well-informed respondent.