Field Methods Situational

While conducting a study on street food vendors' daily routines, a researcher spends several weeks working alongside them, helping prepare food and talking with them casually. What method is the researcher using?

Participant Observation

A social researcher wants to observe how people behave in a public park without them knowing they're being studied. He does not interact or interfere in any way. Which data collection method is this?

Direct Observation

Which of the following best distinguishes qualitative research from quantitative research?

Qualitative research seeks meaning and context; quantitative seeks numerical relationships.

A researcher wants to explore how nurses emotionally cope with burnout. She chooses 8 participants who fit her study's criteria. Which sampling method is being used?

Purposive Sampling

Which of the following is a strength of field research?

It offers rich, contextual data about social interactions.

You are studying a rare cultural practice within a remote village over several months, including customs, rituals, and values. Which qualitative method are you using?

Ethnography

A researcher conducts a focus group to explore student opinions on remote learning. What distinguishes this method from one-on-one interviews?

Focus groups allow participants to influence each other's responses.

In analyzing interview transcripts, a researcher identifies repeated ideas and categorizes them into patterns. What form of analysis is this?

Thematic Analysis

Which of the following statements is TRUE about qualitative research?

It values the researcher’s subjectivity and reflexivity.

What type of validity ensures that the study's findings can be generalized to other people or settings?

External Validity

A researcher has just finished transcribing interviews from a focus group. She begins reading through the data multiple times to get a general sense of what the participants are saying. According to Braun & Clarke, what step is she performing?

Become Familiar with the Data

During analysis, a student researcher highlights all instances where participants mention "stress at work" and labels them as "work stress." What step of Braun & Clarke’s process is this?

Generate Initial Codes

After generating codes, the researcher groups related codes such as "burnout," "long hours," and "lack of support" under a broader category called "workplace challenges." What step is this?

Search for Themes

A thesis adviser asks a student how she ensured rigor in her thematic analysis. The student explains that she checked that her themes truly reflected the data and not her assumptions. This relates to:

Credibility

A psychologist is working with a client from an indigenous community. The client insists on involving their elder during sessions, as per their cultural norm. The psychologist refuses, saying it's “unscientific.” Which ethical value is being violated?

Respect for diversity among persons and peoples

During a study, a researcher gathers personal stories from participants and later shares them in class without disguising identities. Which aspect of ethical practice is most clearly violated?

Protection of confidentiality

A psychologist decides not to challenge a harmful ritual in a small community because "it's their culture." The ritual involves psychological harm to children. What ethical guideline should guide the psychologist’s response?

Limit respect for customs when serious harm is involved

In planning a community-based intervention, a psychologist ensures all affected individuals and groups are consulted and understand the program before agreeing to participate. This reflects:

Free and informed consent

Which of the following best captures the core idea behind "Respect for the Dignity of Persons and Peoples"?

Recognizing inherent worth and equal moral consideration of all human beings

A researcher interviews a community leader who shares sensitive information. Before publishing the results, the researcher consults the leader and the community about what can be shared. This demonstrates:

Respect for privacy and confidentiality

Why is respect for the environment included in the ethical values under Principle I?

It ensures safe and dignified conditions for human life

A psychologist is seeing a client virtually through telepsychology. She ensures confidentiality, obtains informed consent, and checks in regularly about the client’s comfort with the online process. This demonstrates:

Ethical adaptation to online platforms

A psychometrician realizes she is unfamiliar with the cultural background of a client and might misinterpret responses on a personality test. What should she do to uphold ethical practice?

Take time to understand the client’s cultural background

A student intern conducting interviews notices the participant becoming visibly distressed but continues with the questions to finish on time. Which ethical value is being violated?

Maximizing benefits and minimizing harm

A licensed psychologist makes a serious error in judgment that causes emotional harm to a client. According to the PAP Code of Ethics, what is the appropriate next step?

Correct or offset the harmful effects

Which of the following BEST represents self-knowledge in ethical psychological practice?

Knowing how your personal biases affect your professional decisions

Which situation BEST demonstrates active concern for client well-being?

Following up after a crisis session to ensure the client is okay

A counselor who has not attended a workshop or training in years continues using outdated methods. Which ethical value is being neglected?

Developing and maintaining competence

A psychologist is conducting a paid consultation for a company and is also dating one of the company’s employees. He doesn’t mention this relationship to the company. Which ethical concern is most relevant here?

Conflict of interest

During a therapy session, a client asks whether she should break up with her partner. The psychologist strongly advises her to leave, saying “That’s what I would do.” What ethical principle is being risked here?

Integrity – avoiding personal bias

In a research study, the lead investigator manipulates some of the data to make results look more “publishable.” Which ethical value from Principle III is being clearly violated?

Honest and accurate communication

A counselor provides selective information about the risks of a certain intervention, thinking that telling the full truth would scare the client away. This is a violation of:

Informed consent

Which of the following is an example of ethical communication according to Principle III?

Providing accurate, complete information about all aspects of a program

A psychometrician recommends a specific test because it gives them a commission, even though it's not the most appropriate tool for the client. What ethical value is being violated?

Avoiding exploitation for personal gain

A researcher in a tribal community chooses not to fully explain the study purpose due to cultural norms around sacred knowledge. However, the community leaders have been consulted and approved this approach. Is this ethically acceptable?

Yes, if complete disclosure would violate cultural expectations

A psychologist publishes a blog post simplifying a psychological concept to help the public manage stress. This action reflects which ethical value?

Increasing scientific knowledge for societal benefit

A company hires a psychologist to help improve employee productivity. The psychologist uses techniques that manipulate workers into longer unpaid hours. This is a violation of:

Using psychological knowledge for beneficial purposes

An intern discovers their supervisor has been reusing outdated tests known to be unreliable. The intern is afraid to speak up. What ethical responsibility is relevant here?

The responsibility to protect psychological tools from misuse

Which of the following BEST shows a psychologist promoting the highest ethical ideals within the discipline?

Mentoring students on both clinical skills and ethical decision-making

A psychometrician working in a community-based program notices their team's practices lack informed consent procedures. Which of the following is their ethical obligation?

Report it to promote ethical awareness and correction

Why is it important for the discipline of psychology to train and supervise its members in ethics?

To ensure ethical responsibilities and competencies are upheld

A social media influencer with a psychology degree gives advice on trauma healing without proper disclaimers, leading followers to misunderstand the process. This violates which responsibility?

Conducting affairs in ethical ways that benefit society

A company misquotes a psychologist’s published research to support an ad campaign. The psychologist learns about this. According to ethical guidelines, what is their next step?

Take reasonable steps to correct or minimize the misuse

A psychometrician’s ethical obligation conflicts with a new school policy that limits student confidentiality. What should the psychometrician do first?

Raise the concern and try to resolve the conflict while adhering to the Code of Ethics

A clinical intern sees their supervisor repeatedly breach client confidentiality in front of other staff. The intern isn’t sure how serious the harm is. What should they do first?

Try to resolve it informally by speaking with the supervisor if confidentiality isn’t at risk

A psychologist is asked to break confidentiality in a legal investigation. The law clearly requires disclosure, but doing so feels unethical. What should the psychologist do?

Try to resolve the conflict ethically, but follow the law if it can’t be avoided

Which of the following BEST demonstrates improper use of the ethical complaint process?

Accusing someone of misconduct without proof just to harm their career

Two practitioners are involved in an ethics investigation. One is later denied a teaching post solely because of their complaint, despite no wrongdoing being proven. This situation violates the rule against:

Discrimination against complainants/respondents

A psychologist is called to testify as part of an ethics committee investigation. What is their ethical duty?

Cooperate with the investigation

A new psychometrician is asked to conduct assessments using a tool they have never used before. What should they do?

Undertake relevant training or supervision before using the tool

A psychologist is working outside their licensed specialty but has some related experience. What is the ethical thing to do?

Provide services only if they make efforts to acquire the necessary competence

A community psychologist is asked to help during a natural disaster emergency. They lack full training but want to help. What should they do?

Provide emergency services cautiously, then immediately refer when the emergency passes

A licensed psychologist hasn’t engaged in any continuing education for years but continues practicing. What ethical principle is potentially violated?

Maintaining competence through ongoing professional development

When delegating work to a research assistant, what must a supervising psychologist ensure?

The assistant can competently perform the tasks given their training or supervision level

A psychologist begins therapy while aware that their personal stress is affecting their concentration. What should they ethically do?

Obtain consultation or assistance and consider limiting or suspending work duties

You notice a colleague consistently makes jokes about clients’ cultural backgrounds during meetings. What is the best ethical response?

Address the behavior respectfully and encourage cultural sensitivity

A psychometrician is asked to assess a client who is also their neighbor. What should they do?

Refuse due to the risk of multiple relationships and possible harm

A client asks their therapist out for coffee. What’s the ethical approach?

Politely decline and maintain professional boundaries

During therapy, a psychologist realizes they are emotionally overwhelmed by a client’s trauma. What should they do?

Seek professional consultation and consider referring the client

A psychologist is asked to provide an evaluation for a client, but the request comes from a third party (e.g., employer). What is the ethical action?

Explain the role, clarify who the client is, potential uses of the information, and confidentiality limits

You are supervising a student who you realize you had a romantic relationship with years ago. What’s the right thing to do?

Immediately disclose this conflict and consider transferring supervision to avoid harm or exploitation

A psychologist learns that a supervisee has been sexually harassing a client. What is the ethical responsibility?

Report the behavior following confidentiality and ethical guidelines

When delivering psychological services through an organization, which must the psychologist communicate to those involved?

Nature, objectives, recipients, client identification, uses of information, access, and confidentiality limits

You receive an email from a client with sensitive information but the email is sent from a shared office account accessible by multiple staff. What should you do?

Inform the client about the risks to privacy and suggest more secure communication methods

Before recording a therapy session for supervision purposes, what is your ethical duty?

Obtain the client’s consent and explain how the recording will be used

You want to consult a colleague about a difficult case but fear identifying your client. What is the best approach?

Discuss only the relevant information, omitting personal identifiers

A court orders you to release client information beyond what is directly related to the case. What should you do?

Limit disclosure only to information pertinent to the legitimate request of the court

A minor client’s parent demands full access to their child’s therapy notes. What’s the ethical action?

Explain confidentiality limits and share information only as appropriate, considering the minor’s rights

You want to publish a case study about a rare psychological condition your client has. What must you do?

Obtain written consent and take steps to disguise identifiable details

You’re discussing a client with your colleague for a second opinion. The client hasn’t given consent. What do you do?

Limit disclosure to only what is necessary and try to avoid revealing identity

A client refuses to pay for psychological services. You need to release info for payment purposes. What’s the ethical step?

Release only info necessary to resolve the payment issue

A psychologist posts on Instagram, “100% guaranteed results! My therapy method will cure your anxiety in just 3 sessions!” This violates ethical standards because:

It makes deceptive or exaggerated claims about success

Dr. Cruz lists herself as “Dr. Cruz, PhD” in an advertisement for therapy services. Her doctorate is in Communication, not Psychology. What should she ethically do?

Clarify that her degree is in Communication to avoid misrepresentation

You create a brochure for your upcoming workshop. What must be included according to ethical standards?

Intended audience, learning objectives, presenter credentials, CPD points, and fees

You’re invited on a podcast to give psychological advice. Which of the following would not be ethically acceptable?

Making personalized diagnoses or treatment suggestions based on a listener’s email

A past therapy client offers to write a glowing testimonial for your website. What’s the ethical move?

Thank them but decline due to potential undue influence

You're asked to promote a new mental wellness app on your social media in exchange for a fee. What should you not do?

Accept the endorsement and present the app as a cure for depression

When creating a Facebook page for your practice, which of the following is ethically acceptable?

“Licensed psychologist offering therapy services—MA in Clinical Psychology from ABC University. Available M-F, 9AM–5PM.”

Which of the following actions would constitute unethical media behavior?

Paying a news station to air a flattering story about your therapy center without disclosing it’s paid

Dr. White is conducting a long-term study on adolescent stress in urban schools. She carefully documents her data and methods throughout the study. A colleague asks why she’s so meticulous with her records, even though no one is reviewing her work just yet.

What is the BEST ethical justification for Dr. White’s detailed documentation?

She must create and maintain records to allow for replication and evaluation of her research.

A psychologist is transferring sensitive patient files to a new digital database managed by her clinic. She uploads the files using her personal laptop and forgets to encrypt or password-protect them. A week later, IT reports that several files were accessed by an unauthorized intern.

Which part of the ethical code did the psychologist FAIL to follow?

She failed to maintain confidentiality by not securing stored data properly.

Mr. Reyes, a psychologist in a public mental health center, plans to retire in a few months. He’s been slowly disengaging from his duties but hasn’t made any arrangements regarding the transfer of client records. His secretary expresses concern about what will happen to the client files once he leaves.

What should Mr. Reyes have done to remain ethically compliant?

Make advance plans for transfer and protect confidentiality of records.

A former client is rushed to a hospital for psychiatric emergency care. The attending psychologist requests access to her therapy records. However, the former therapist, Dr. Santos, refuses to release them because the client still has an unpaid balance.

Is Dr. Santos’ action ethically correct?

No, records must be provided if they are needed for emergency treatment.

Before beginning therapy, Ms. Alvarez verbally assures a client that her rates are “affordable,” but never puts a specific amount in writing. A month later, she sends an invoice charging significantly more than what the client expected.

Which ethical principle did Ms. Alvarez violate?

She didn’t reach a clear financial agreement early in the professional relationship.