Question 1

You are observing how children influence their parents when shopping in a supermarket, which ONE of these recording methods would be most effective in capturing the importance of body language?

Accepted Answer

A)   Making notes
B)   Tape recording a commentary
C)   Still photography
D)   Video recording D

Question 2

Victor is observing customer behaviour in a car showroom. Which of the following categories would best categorise the concept 'buying signals' (e.g. that the customer is interested in making a purchase and needs help)?

Accepted Answer

A)   The number of customers in the party
B)   Looking around for a salesperson
C)   How many cars they look at
D)   Something else B

Question 3

"The researcher observes activity and reveals their identity." Which researcher role does this describe?

Accepted Answer

A)   Complete participant
B)   Complete observer
C)   Observer as participant
D)   Participant as observer C

Question 4

Which of these is NOT an advantage of structured observation?

Accepted Answer

A)   Results are likely to be replicable
B)   Data is collected in its natural setting
C)   The researcher can uncover the meaning of actions
D)   It enables attention to be paid to mundane activities

Question 5

Observer bias cannot be avoided but it can be controlled through ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   Informant verification
B)   Awareness that it exists
C)   Critical self-questioning
D)   All of the above

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a researcher role?

Accepted Answer

A)   Participant as observer
B)   Observer as participant
C)   Complete participant
D)   None of the above

Question 7

Which of these is the main advantage of structured researcher observation over respondent kept diaries?

Accepted Answer

A)   The researcher is a detached observer
B)   It is cheaper
C)   It is quicker
D)   The researcher can immerse themselves in the data

Question 8

Participant observation is a good way of gathering contextual information for your other data.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Structured observation is concerned with the frequency of events, not their meaning.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Narrative accounts in academic research should go further than description because ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   Otherwise they will not be valid
B)   There will be no theoretical contribution
C)   Description is unreliable in narrative
D)   It is the purpose of research to explain research settings

Question 11

You should not begin to analyse data generated by participant observation until you have left the research site.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

You should choose subjects to observe that are 'normal' examples of your population to avoid ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   Time error
B)   Observer error
C)   Subject error
D)   Data error

Question 13

Which of these is NOT a disadvantage of participant observation?

Accepted Answer

A)   High role conflict for the researcher
B)   Significant observer bias
C)   Difficult ethical dilemmas are posed
D)   It heightens the researcher's awareness of social processes

Question 14

Well managed observation can be both valid and reliable.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Trained observers ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   Pass on respondent details
B)   Observe the correct events
C)   Probe carefully
D)   Ask important questions

Question 16

"The researcher conceals their identity and observes activity." Which researcher role does this describe?

Accepted Answer

A)   Complete participant
B)   Complete observer
C)   Observer as participant
D)   Participant as observer

Question 17

How does being open about your identity as a researcher help your data collection?

Accepted Answer

A)   Makes note taking easier
B)   It changes informants behaviour
C)   It reduces observer bias
D)   It means you do not need to be reflexive

Question 18

Immersion in observational research means ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   The point where you generate no new data
B)   Gaining initial access to your sample
C)   Total involvement in the daily life of your research setting
D)   Paying attention to all the details

Question 19

You should not keep notes on your own experiences whilst gathering participant observation data.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

"Systematic observation, recording, description, analysis and interpretation of people's behaviour." What type of observation does this definition apply to?

Accepted Answer

A)   Structured
B)   Participant
C)   Photographic
D)   All of these

Exam 9: Collecting Primary Data Through Observation

You are observing how children influence their parents when shopping in a supermarket, which ONE of these recording methods would be most effective in capturing the importance of body language?

Victor is observing customer behaviour in a car showroom. Which of the following categories would best categorise the concept 'buying signals' (e.g. that the customer is interested in making a purchase and needs help) ?

"The researcher observes activity and reveals their identity." Which researcher role does this describe?

Which of these is NOT an advantage of structured observation?

Observer bias cannot be avoided but it can be controlled through ________.

Which of the following is NOT a researcher role?

Which of these is the main advantage of structured researcher observation over respondent kept diaries?

Participant observation is a good way of gathering contextual information for your other data.

Structured observation is concerned with the frequency of events, not their meaning.

Narrative accounts in academic research should go further than description because ________.

You should not begin to analyse data generated by participant observation until you have left the research site.

You should choose subjects to observe that are 'normal' examples of your population to avoid ________.

Which of these is NOT a disadvantage of participant observation?

Well managed observation can be both valid and reliable.

Trained observers ________.

"The researcher conceals their identity and observes activity." Which researcher role does this describe?

How does being open about your identity as a researcher help your data collection?

Immersion in observational research means ________.

You should not keep notes on your own experiences whilst gathering participant observation data.

"Systematic observation, recording, description, analysis and interpretation of people's behaviour." What type of observation does this definition apply to?