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CHAPTER 9 TEST BANK
Field Observation
TRUE/FALSE
1. Field research is often associated with qualitative techniques.
2. Field research encompasses two different methods of obtaining data: (1) making direct
observation and (2) writing detailed questions..
3. Field research is a data collection method that involves the direct observation of
phenomena in their natural settings.
4. Qualitative field research is the preferred method for studying many types of active
offenders, especially those with no recorded arrests or convictions for particular crimes.
5. Field observation is not the preferred data collection method for obtaining information
about physical or social settings, behavior, and events.
6. Field research in criminal justice may produce either qualitative or quantitative data.
7. Fortunately, when doing field research sampling is very straight forward and you don’t
have the concerns that would be present in survey techniques.
8. Many different options are available for gathering data in field research.
9. It may be helpful to record field notes onto highly structured forms created prior to the
beginning of the study.
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10. Grounded theory is not built from qualitative field observations.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Field research is a data collection method that involves the __________________of
phenomena in their natural settings.
a.
direct observation
b.
written records
c.
grounded theory
d.
accurate measures
2. Which of the following is accurate concerning data acquired during field research?
a.
qualitative data that is easily reduced to numbers
b.
quantitative data that is not easily reduced to numbers
c.
qualitative data that is not easily reduced to numbers
d.
all the data gathered must be reducible to numbers
3. Which of the following is true concerning qualitative field research?
a.
it is often a theory or hypothesis generating activity
b.
always has clear operational definitions of key terms
c.
must begin with clearly stated and defined hypotheses
d.
None of the above are true.
4. Which of the following is most frequently used as a tool to gather data when doing field
research?
a.
asking questions
b.
reviewing written documents
c.
direct observation
d.
surveys
5. Which of the following would not be a logical crime to study using the field research
techniques?
a.
prostitution
b.
shoplifting
c.
embezzlement
d.
drug use
6. Which of the following is not an effective role (in the sense that the researcher could
affect what he/she is studying) for a field researcher?
a.
total observation
b.
total participation
c.
participant-as-observer
d.
observer-as-participant
7. Qualitative field research is the preferred method for studying
a.
many subjects who change language
b.
many types of crimes
c.
many types of phenomena
d.
many types of active offenders.
8. If the researcher feels they will need to ask questions of the subjects, what is the best
technique in field research to use?
a.
complete observer
b.
complete participant
c.
a combination of observer and participant
d.
surveys
9. In determining which role to assume while doing field research which of the following
should the research consider?
a.
ethical and methodological considerations
b.
how much money they have to do the research
c.
who their subjects are
d.
whether they will be using subjects in formal or informal organizations
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10. Research involving which of the following groups would not be receptive to the use of
unstructured interviews?
a.
Criminals
b.
police officers
c.
Judges
d.
probation officers
11. Field research in criminal justice may produce either or
a.
Only qualitative data
b.
Only quantitative data
c.
either qualitative or quantitative data
d.
Only grounded theory
12. Criminal justice research sometimes combines field research with surveys or
_________________________________________________
a.
data from newspaper accounts
b.
data from official records.
c.
Data from telephone discussions
d.
All of the above
13. Field notes should include both empirical observations and
a.
live discussions
b.
interpretations of them
c.
data analysis
d.
names of the participants
14. If field observations will be made on a phenomenon that occurs with some degree of
regularity, what sampling techniques can be used to select cases for observation?
a.
Purposive sampling techniques
b.
Snowball sampling techniques
c.
Participant sampling techniques
d.
Quantitative sampling techniques
15. Qualitative field research compared to surveys ___________________________.
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a.
is easier to conduct
b.
is more reliable
c.
is stronger on validity but weaker on reliability
d.
is less expensive
16. Researchers Field research results can have general applicability beyond the specific
settings observed. However findings cannot be formally generalized compared to those
based on __________________________________.
a.
Specific settings
b.
surveys
c.
participant observations
d.
rigorous sampling and standardized questionnaires
17. The behavior of people, together with the characteristics of people and places, can
vary by population group,____________________________________________.
a.
race, school attended
b.
time of the year
c.
weather
d.
location, time, and weather
18. Which of the following is false concerning the use of field notes for recording
observations?
a.
field notes include what you are sure you have observed
b.
field notes should not include unanticipated events
c.
field notes should include what you think you observed
d.
note taking can be done on standardized recording forms that you create prior to
the start of the research
19. Which of the following is not a guideline for good field note taking?
a.
don’t trust your memory, write down as much as possible unobtrusively
b.
develop your notes from sketchy to more detailed with rewrites
c.
use only key words and phrases in your notes, you will remember the details at a
later date
d.
record as many details as you can right after each observation session
20. In structured field observations, the data collection form resembles a survey
questionnaire. For example, the environmental surveys are used for which of the
following research purposes?
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a.
determining the grounded theory
b.
planning police strategies in drug enforcement and to assess the impact of those
strategies
c.
developing notes on graffiti and vandalism damage in an urban area
d.
finding out green environment
21. Which of the following statements is not true concerning field research?
a.
It has greater validity and reliability than does survey research.
b.
It often involves theory creation.
c.
It often combines observation and asking questions.
d.
It can provide both qualitative and quantitative data.
22. Field notes should include all but which of the following?
a.
specific names of those being studied and where events happen even if those being
studied are criminals
b.
what you specifically witnessed
c.
what you think that you witnessed
d.
your interpretations of what you witnessed
23. What is the advantage to using unstructured interviewing techniques when conducting
field research?
a.
the researcher knows a lot about the subject under study
b.
the researcher may not want be likely to enter into casual conversation with the
subject as a means of gathering data
c.
the researcher and subject may have short fixed time for the interview
d.
the researcher and subject may witness an event together
24. Which of the following is not correct concerning structured observations?
a.
they enable the researcher to generate numeric measures of observed conditions
b.
they are best suited for studies where a researcher is expected to encounter a wide
variety of situations
c.
they are more reliable than other methods
d.
they require careful training
25. Which of the following is true concerning the reliability of quantitative field studies?
a.
Reliability can be strengthened by reviewing police records
b.
Reliability can be strengthened by reviewing by the director of the organization
c.
Reliability can be strengthened by contacting various personnel within the
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organization
d.
The reliability of quantitative field studies can be enhanced by careful attention to
the details of observation.
26. Field observation can produce systematic counts of behaviors and
___________________________________________ beyond those actually observed.
a.
the name of participants
b.
reasonable estimates for a large population of behaviors
c.
time and dates for all
d.
identify that you want to meet and talk with the contact person
27. In field research, validity often refers to whether the _______________________ of the
things observed or people interviewed has been accurately captured.
a.
true meaning
b.
hypothesized meaning
c.
intended meaning
d.
assigned meaning
28. Qualitative field observations ____________________.
a.
is unable to generate theory
b.
can be called a process of grounded theory
c.
can be used to produce only quantitative data
d.
is unreliable
29. Which of the following is a serious consideration for researchers who adopt the role of
complete participant when doing field research?
a.
generalizability
b.
ethics
c.
validity
d.
reliability
30. Regardless of the techniques used to identify subjects from subcultures, there will be
concerns. Which of the following is not one of them?
a.
lack of probability sampling
b.
selection bias
c.
generally a small sample size
d.
there are no concerns once you get an informant to introduce members of their
subculture
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COMPLETION
1. A researcher engaged in field research would likely use ________________ data that is
defined as observations that are not easily reduced to numbers.
2. A theory that is created based upon experience and field observations is referred to as
a(n) _______________ theory.
3. When the researcher selects the role of ________________ they are participating with the
group but let the group know that they are conducting research.
4. When the researcher starts to identify too closely with the interests and viewpoints of the
participants, they are said to have ______________.
5. Field research encompasses two different methods of obtaining data: making direct
observation and ___________________________________________
6. To gain access to a formal organization for the purposes of field research, one needs to
find a(n) ____________ who is personally known to and respected by the director.
7. The ___________________ is the person who will assist you in gaining access to a
subculture.
8. Field research is usually considered to be strong on validity yet weak on ____________.
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9. Strengths and weaknesses of field research can be measured in terms of validity, which
SEEers to whether you are actually measuring what you are supposed to measure instead
of something else; reliability SEEers to dependability, while ____________ SEEers to
whether specific findings apply to the unobserved.
10. Field research has covered the wide range of applications from highly structured counting
to less structured field observations and _____________________.
ESSAY
1. Identify the difference between the various roles of the observer in field research. Offer
an example of a research scenario that would be appropriate for each role.
2. Describe the steps that would be necessary to gain access to a formal organization for the
purposes of doing field research.
3. Identify the various methods that can be used to record observations. Offer an
explanation of which method, in your opinion, is most effective and why. Also, which
method, in your opinion, is least effective and why.
4. Why is it often necessary to supplement field research with other forms of data? Give
examples of other types of data that are often used in criminal justice research and how
each may be used as a link to field research.
5. Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of field research and survey research.
Give specific attention to the topics of validity, reliability and generalizability.