Chapter 13 - Descriptive Research

Question 1

Is descriptive research strategy concerned with relationships between variable?

Answer 1

NO

Question 2

A researcher conducts a survey to determine the average number of text messages that college students send or receive during a typical 1-hour class. Which research strategy is being used?

Answer 2

The descriptive research strategy

Question 3

What is the real goal of a descriptive research strategy?

Answer 3

Measures a variable or set of variables as they exist naturally

Question 4

How does the descriptive research strategy differ from the experimental or nonexperimental research strategies?

Answer 4

It does not concern relationships between variables

Question 5

What is it called when the researcher systematically records the behavior of individuals to describe the behavior?

Answer 5

Observational Research Design

Question 6

What are some disadvantages of observational research design and how can it be prevented?

Answer 6

1. It is essential that the behaviours are not disrupted or influenced by the presence of an observer
   - can be addressed by concealing the observer
   - Participants can be habituated to the observer’s presence
   - EX. observers sit in a classroom for 1 hour every day for 1 week
2. Observations are based, in part, on a subjective judgment
   - Can be addressed by using an inter-rater reliability method

Question 7

What are the 3 types of observation?

Answer 7

1.Naturalistic Observation
- No research intervention

2. Participant Observation
   - researcher interacts with participants and becomes one of them
3. Contrived Observation
   - researher sets up a situation likely to produce the desired behavior in participants

Question 8

Strengths and Weaknesses of Naturalistic Observation:

Answer 8

Strengths:
- Behavior observed in the real world
- Useful for nonmanipulated behaviors
- Actual behaviors observed and recorded

Weaknesses:
- Time-consuming
- Potential for observer influence
- Potential for subjective interpretation

Question 9

Strengths and Weaknesses of Contrived Observation:

Answer 9

Strengths:
- Do not have to wait for behaviors to occur

Weaknesses:
- less natural

Question 10

Strengths and Weaknesses of Participant Observation:

Answer 10

Strengths:
- When natural observation is impossible
- Get information not accessible otherwise
- Participation gives unique perspective

Weaknesses:
- Time-consuming
- Potential for loss of objectivity
- Increased chance for observer influence

Question 11

During a study using the behavioral research strategy, it is common to have two observers record behavior simultaneously. What is the purpose for this procedure?

Answer 11

It is used to ensure the objectivity of the measurements.

Question 12

Which technique would probably be used by a researcher who wanted to observe behaviors in a private social club?

Answer 12

Partcipant Obervation

Question 13

a survey study that uses a survey to:

Answer 13

• Obtain a description of a particular group of individuals
• the goal is to obtain almost a “snapshot” of the groups at a particular time
• Common application: companies seeking accurate descriptions of their customers

Question 14

What are the 3 types of survey questions?

Answer 14

1. Open-ended Question
   EX. What do you think about the current availability of food on this campus?
2. Restricted Question
   EX. During a typical week, how often do you eat out?
   a. Not at all b. Once c. Twice
3. Rating-scale Question
   EX. Likerttyp rating scale

Question 15

Name the four types of surveys:

Answer 15

Internet surveys
Mail surveys
Telephone surveys
In-person surveys and interviews

Question 16

Strengths and Weaknesses of Internet Surveys:

Answer 16

Strengths:
- Efficient to administer to a large number of participants
- Access to large number of individuals with common characteristics
- Survey can be individualized based on participant’s responses

Weaknesses:
- Initial expense for site
- Sample may not be representative
- Cannot control composition of the sample

Question 17

Strengths and Weaknesses of Mail Surveys:

Answer 17

Strengths:
- Convenient and anonymous
- Nonthreatening to participants
- Easy to administer

Weaknesses:
- Can be expensive
- Low response rate and nonresponse bias
- Unsure exactly who completes the survey

Question 18

Strengths and Weaknesses of Telephone Surveys:

Answer 18

Strengths:
- Can be conducted from home or office
- Participants can stay at home or office

Weaknesses:
- Time-consuming
- Potential for interviewer bias

Question 19

Strengths and Weaknesses of In-person Surveys:

Answer 19

Strengths:
- Efficient to administer with groups
- 100% response rate, and flexible (groups or individual interviews)

Weaknesses:
- Time-consuming
- risk of interviewer bias

Question 20

Although surveys can be used with a variety of different research strategies, which of the following is the defining characteristic of the survey research design?

Answer 20

The intent is simply to describe behaviors.

Question 21

The multiple-choice questions in an exam are examples of which type of survey question.

Answer 21

Restricted

Question 22

What is an advantage to administering a survey over the Internet?

Answer 22

Survey can be individualized based on responses

Question 23

What research design involves a in-depth study and detailed description of a single individual?

Answer 23

Case study design

Question 24

When is the case study design typically used for in-depth investigation?

Answer 24

Rare phenomena and unusual clinical cases

EX. Gaining information about mental disorders such as multiple personality disorder

Question 25

Strengths and Weaknesses of the case study design:

Answer 25

Strengths:
- Not averaged over a diverse group
- Detailed description
- Vivid, powerful, convincing
- Compatible with clinical work
- Can study rare and unusual events
- Can identify exceptions to the rule

Weaknesses:
- Limited generalization
- Potential for selective bias
- Potential for subjective interpretation

Question 26

What kind of research was used to study the brain surgery patient H. M. who lost the ability to
store new memories?

Answer 26

Case study research