Deck 9: Qualitative Research Methods

Question 1

Qualitative researchers often begin by asking themselves,"What needs to be studied?" and then collect preliminary data that helps to develop a more focused research question and a plan for later data collection.This type of design is known as:

A)emerging design.
B)case study design.
C)qualitative design.
D)mixed methods design.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

In this type of study design,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

Answer 2

B

Question 3

When selecting a sample for a qualitative study,researchers should:

A)select a random sample of participants.
B)select a sample most likely to provide useful information about the topic.
C)select a large sample to increase the power of the study.
D)select a sample that is representative of the general population.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Qualitative researchers can best address concerns about validity in their study design and their data by:

A)collecting some quantitative data.
B)ensuring that all participants provide informed consent.
C)use one objective,reliable method for collecting data.
D)comparing different data sources to see if they provide consistent results.

Question 5

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 which of the following qualitative research designs?

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

Question 6

Which of the following designs 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 7

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 which of the following qualitative research designs?

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

Question 8

In general,research is evaluated based on whether it's well done,valid and reliable,and useful.Why,then,are open-mindedness and explicitness of assumptions and biases hallmarks of well-done qualitative research?

Question 9

In this type of study design,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 10

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 which of the following qualitative research designs?

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

Question 11

In this type of study design,a body of material is systematically examined for patterns,themes,or biases.

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

Question 12

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 which of the following qualitative research designs?

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

Question 13

Qualitative research often involves what's known as an iterative process for data collection and analysis.This terminology refers to the fact that,in qualitative research:

A)researchers focus more on narrative data than on statistics and numbers.
B)researchers typically do not begin by stating a hypothesis.
C)researchers may collect and analyze data,then collect and analyze some more data.
D)researchers first ask open-ended questions and then follow up with probing questions.

Question 14

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 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.
Do you notice any problems with the interviewing technique of Dr.D? Describe the problems you see in the excerpts and then explain what Dr.D should do differently.

Question 16

Effective qualitative interviews usually require that the researcher:

A)adhere to set of questions determined in advance.
B)maintain an informal,friendly atmosphere.
C)remain as objective and detached as possible.
D)interview several participants at one time.
Essay Questions

Question 17

The technique of participant observation is most associated with:

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

Question 18

In this type of study design,the researcher studies the deep meaning an event or situation holds for other people.

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

Question 19

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.