Ch. 12 (Observational & Survey Methods)

Question 0

What are some advantages and disadvantages of using the survey method?

Answer 0

Advantages:

• Practical
• Cheap
• Time saving
• Anonymity

Disadvantages:

• Interpretation
• Honesty
• Loyalty

Question 1

What is a survey?

Answer 1

A survey is a structured set of questions to measure attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours.

Question 2

What is a pilot study?

Answer 2

A pilot study is a “test run” of a study to filter out potential issues.

Question 3

What are the two types of sampling techniques used in survey methods?

Answer 3

1.) Probability sampling; 2.) Non-probability sampling (NPS)

Question 4

When does a sample become biased?

Answer 4

When the sample doesn’t generalize that population, and is not representative of the population.

Question 5

What is self-selection?

Answer 5

Self-selection is an example of a biased sample, and is composed of ONLY those who voluntarily respond to a survey.

Question 6

What are the types of probability sampling?

Answer 6

1.) Random sampling; 2.) Cluster sampling; 3.) Stratified sampling

Question 7

What are some types of non-probability sampling?

Answer 7

1.) Convenience sampling; 2.) Purposive sampling; 3.) Quota sampling; 4.) Snowball sampling

Question 8

What is the core difference between probability sampling and non-probability sampling?

Answer 8

For probability sampling a researcher wants to learn something about a population from a sample. For non-probability sampling, subjects are not randomly selected and they don’t need to be.

Question 9

What is the main problem with random sampling?

Answer 9

The main issue with random sampling is that there may be specific features in the population that you want in your sample.

Question 10

What is the definition of random sampling, and what is the solution to its problem?

Answer 10

Random sampling occurs when every person in the population has an equal chance of ending up in the final sample. The solution to the problem with random sampling is to use “stratified sampling”.

Question 11

What is stratified sampling?

Answer 11

Stratified sampling occurs when the proportions of important sub-groups in the population are exactly represented in your sample.

Question 12

What is cluster sampling?

Answer 12

Cluster sampling is the response to the problem of random sampling, where random sampling is not viewed as a practical method, due to a larger than usual population. The method of cluster sampling is basically randomly selecting a “cluster” of people all having a common feature.

Question 13

What is convenience sampling?

Answer 13

Convenience sampling is the most commonly used type of non-probability sampling, and is used to recruit people from a group of available people who meet the general requirement of the study.

Question 14

What is purposive sampling?

Answer 14

Purposive sampling is a convenience sampling strategy when a specific type of person is recruited for a valid reason.

Question 15

What is quota sampling?

Answer 15

Quota sampling is the strategy of meeting a quota.

Question 16

What is snowball sampling?

Answer 16

Snowball sampling is a strategy where other people gather subjects for the head researcher.

Question 17

What are two types of observational research?

Answer 17

The two types of observational research are 1.) naturalistic; 2.) participant observation.

Question 18

What is the major purpose of observational research?

Answer 18

The major purpose of observational research is to describe people behaviour in natural setting.

Question 19

What is an advantage of naturalistic observation?

Answer 19

One advantage is that people (participants) behave naturally, because they are unaware of experimenter.

Question 20

What is one advantage of participant observation?

Answer 20

One advantage of participant observation is that the participant is aware of experimenter.

Question 21

What are two issues of observational research?

Answer 21

One issue is an absence of control, and because of this you cannot infer cause and effect. Another issue is known as observer bias, which consists of two types; one, observer expectations cloud perceptions of reality; two, biasing, which involves results from decisions about what to observe.

Question 22

What are 5 ways of reducing observer bias?

Answer 22

1) Use good operational definitions
2) Use a behaviour checklist
3) Assess inter-observer reliability
4) Videotape the situation
5) Use different sampling procedures (time sampling; event sampling; individual sampling)