Qualitative methods / Field Research (Exam #2 social research methods)

Question 1

participant observation

Answer 1

A qualitative method for gathering data that involves developing a sustained relationship with people while they go about their
normal activities

seek to avoid the artificiality of experimental designs and the unnatural structured questioning of survey research

Question 2

complete observation

Answer 2

A role in participant observation in which the researcher does not participate in group activities and is publicly defined as a
researcher

Question 3

complete participation / covert
participation

Answer 3

A role in field research in which the researcher does not reveal his or her identity as a researcher to those who are observed

con: They must write up notes
from memory and must do so when it would be natural for them to be away from group members.

Question 4

gatekeeper

Answer 4

A person in a field setting who can grant researchers access to the setting

Question 5

key informant

Answer 5

An insider who is willing and able to provide a field researcher with superior access and information, including answers to questions that arise during the research

Question 6

reactive effects

Answer 6

The changes in an individual or group behavior that result from being observed or otherwise studied

Question 7

What type of research is field research?

Answer 7

Inductive research (data then hypothesis)

Question 8

field notes

Answer 8

Notes that describe what has been observed, heard, or otherwise experienced in a participant observation study. These notes usually are written after the observational session

primary data collection method

Question 9

Primary goals of field research

Answer 9

1. Viewpoint of participants
2. Study social processes as they naturally
   unfold
3. Inductive approach.
4. Complete social context

Question 10

Strengths of field research

Answer 10

1. Comprehensive.
2. Insider’s view of reality.
3. Flexible.
4. Relatively inexpensive.
5. Useful for exploratory purposes

Question 11

Weakness of field research

Answer 11

1. Labor-intensive
2. Not efficient in some cases
3. Highly dependent on researcher skills
4. Replication and comparison difficult
5. Usually cannot generalize findings

Question 12

Research design in field research?

Answer 12

Reflexive design: a design is adjusted as the study progresses, based on what the researcher learns the design develops as the research progresses

-pros: Works well in Rapid changes to gather dat

Question 13

What is the biggest risk to validity in field research?

Answer 13

Behavior / REACTIVE THREATS (to being observed a bias/invalid)

Field research: external validity (generalize to pop)

Low external validity (can not generalize)