Field Methods Prelims

Settings: (Type of test: Multiple Choice, Question Format: Answer with Definition)

A social psychologist wants to explore how different cultural groups perceive the concept of “success.” She's interested in individual experiences, meaning-making, and the social context behind these perceptions.

Which research method is BEST suited for her study?

Qualitative, because it can capture multiple perspectives and social context.

An undergraduate student argues that in all research, the investigator must stay completely objective and separate from the data. However, her classmate, a qualitative researcher, disagrees and says the researcher is often an integral part of the data collection process.

Which viewpoint aligns with qualitative research principles?

The classmate, because qualitative research accepts subjectivity and the researcher’s role.

A researcher conducts interviews with survivors of a natural disaster to explore their emotional responses and coping mechanisms. She uses direct quotes and thematic analysis in her report, avoiding any numerical data or statistics.

What kind of data is this, and which research method is she using?

Narrative data; Qualitative

A researcher studies how a local LGBTQ+ youth group navigates identity and community in a small town. Instead of controlling variables, she embeds herself in the community to observe behaviors and experiences naturally.

Which statement best reflects her approach?

She is using qualitative research to study behavior in natural settings.

A health researcher wants to test whether a new dietary supplement improves memory. She designs an experiment, manipulates the intake of the supplement (independent variable), and measures memory test scores (dependent variable), using statistical analysis.

Which research method is being used?

Quantitative, since she is manipulating variables and using statistics.

A researcher wants to study the cultural values, behaviors, and social norms of a remote indigenous community. She plans to live in the community for several months, observe daily life, and document social interactions without interfering.

Which qualitative method is she MOST LIKELY using?

Ethnography, because she observes an entire community and their cultural values.

A psychologist conducts a study on coping mechanisms of trauma survivors. She designs an interview guide with mostly open-ended questions but sometimes uses direct, close-ended questions to clarify specific points.

Which statement BEST describes her interviewing method?

It is a qualitative interview using a semi-structured format mixing open and close-ended questions.

A researcher spends several months closely examining a small town’s reaction to a new government policy. She gathers detailed data on the town’s economic, social, and political changes but focuses intensely on the town itself as a unique case.

What type of qualitative research is this?

Case Study, because she does an in-depth analysis of a particular situation or event.

During her ethnographic study, a researcher carefully avoids influencing the daily routines of the community she’s studying and records data without manipulating variables.

Why is this approach important in ethnography?

To maintain the natural setting and avoid biasing the social behavior observed.

A researcher uses one-on-one interviews, focus groups, and text analysis to study the experiences of refugees integrating into urban communities.

Which qualitative data collection method BEST fits this description?

Qualitative Interviews, using a mix of methods

A researcher plans to conduct a study in a remote village she has never visited before. Before starting, she reads extensively about the village’s culture, traditions, and social norms. She also plans to observe and respect their customs during her research.

Which ethical principle is the researcher upholding?

Obtaining prior knowledge about the community’s culture and respecting their mores.

During a study, a young child participant shows signs of discomfort and stops responding, but cannot verbally say they want to stop. The researcher notices these non-verbal cues.

What is the ethically appropriate action?

Respect the child’s apparent wish to discontinue and stop their participation.

Before beginning a psychological experiment, the researcher asks participants about any pre-existing medical conditions that might increase their risk during the study.

Why is this an important step?

To detect and prevent any foreseeable harm to participants.

A researcher working with an indigenous group provides a consent form in English, but the participants primarily speak a local dialect and have limited literacy.

What should the researcher do?

Translate the consent form into the participants’ language and ensure understanding.

A study involves children under 18 years old. The researcher obtains consent from the children’s parents but does not seek assent from the children themselves.

Is this ethically adequate?

No, informed assent should be obtained from the minors in addition to parental consent.

A researcher wants to include adults with communication impairments in her study. She obtains consent from family members and approval from independent advisors on behalf of the participants.

Is this approach ethically sound?

Yes, it follows the proper protocol to protect participants’ rights.

A researcher is conducting an experimental study with a control group. Before starting, she explains the experimental nature of the treatment, treatment allocation process, alternative options, and compensation to participants.

Why is this necessary?

To fulfill ethical obligations of informed consent in intervention research.

A researcher records video footage of people in a public park for a study on social interactions. The footage only captures natural behavior and no personal identifiers are used. She did not ask for consent beforehand.

Is this ethically acceptable?

Yes, if the recording is naturalistic observation in public places without potential harm or identification.

A professor asks her students to participate in a research study related to the course. She informs them that participation is voluntary and provides an alternative assignment for those who do not want to join.

What ethical principle is being followed?

Voluntary participation with alternative activities offered.

A researcher wants to conduct anonymous surveys on job satisfaction that do not risk participants’ employment or reputation. Confidentiality is strictly maintained.

Can informed consent be dispensed with in this case?

Yes, because it involves anonymous questionnaires with no risk to participants.

A research team offers monetary compensation to participants for a time-intensive study. They ensure the amount is fair but not so high that it pressures people to participate.

What ethical guideline is being followed?

Fairly compensating without coercion.

A study involves deceiving participants about the true purpose of the experiment because knowing the real purpose would affect their behavior. The deception is justified by the scientific value of the study.

Which action is required after data collection?

Debrief participants fully about the deception used, preferably immediately after participation.

A researcher plans a study that involves physical pain and emotional distress but decides not to inform participants about these risks to avoid discouraging participation.

Is this ethically acceptable?

No, participants must be informed of risks that could cause pain or distress.

In a study that involves deception, the researcher records participants but does not obtain consent before recording. Consent for recording is obtained during the debriefing after the experiment.

Is this approach ethical?

Yes, if participants consent during debriefing and no harm is caused.

After a research study concludes and the participants have been fully debriefed about the true purpose, one participant requests that their data and recordings be deleted from the study.

What should the researcher do?

Respect the participant’s request and delete the data.

A researcher observes people in a private backyard without their knowledge for a study on family interactions.

Is this ethically acceptable?

No, because the participants would not expect to be observed by strangers in a private setting.

A study plans to use animals to test a new drug with potential painful side effects. The researchers don’t have any alternatives and believe the study will benefit human health.

Which ethical principle applies?

Only proceed if there is no alternative, scientific justification, and reasonable efforts to minimize pain.

A research project involves collecting plant samples from a protected forest, which may damage the ecosystem.

What is the ethical action?

Avoid procedures that adversely affect the environment.

A researcher finishes a study on a vulnerable indigenous group but does not share the results with the community or explain the implications.

Is this ethical?

No, researchers should consult the community to increase accurate interpretation and reduce misuse.

A researcher finds that some data does not support the hypothesis, so they alter the results to better fit the expected outcomes.

Is this ethical?

No, fabrication of data is unethical.

A researcher copies sections of another researcher’s published work with citations but does not use quotation marks or clearly indicate it is a direct copy.

Is this plagiarism?

Yes, presenting others' work as your own without proper indication is plagiarism.

A faculty member heavily contributed to the conceptualization of a study but did not write any sections of the publication. The student researcher wrote the entire manuscript and performed the data collection and analysis.

Who should get principal authorship?

Student researcher, as primary author due to substantial contribution.

A researcher wants to publish the same dataset in two different journals to increase publication count but does not plan to cite the earlier publication.

Is this allowed?

No, publishing the same data as original twice without acknowledgment is unethical.

A researcher receives a request from another scientist to verify published results by reanalyzing the raw data. The requesting scientist signs an agreement stating the purpose is solely for verification and agrees to confidentiality.

What should the original researcher do?

Share the data after ensuring all conditions are met.

As a reviewer of a grant proposal, you find some ideas that you want to use for your own research before the grant is funded.

Is this ethical?

No, reviewers must respect confidentiality and proprietary rights of submissions.

A study shows promising results but has some disconfirming evidence. The researcher chooses to omit this evidence from the publication to make the findings look stronger.

Is this ethical?

No, researchers must acknowledge disconfirming evidence and alternative explanations.

You are conducting a qualitative study on patients’ experiences managing chronic illness. You want to ask open-ended questions but also have flexibility to explore unexpected topics during the conversation. Which data gathering tool should you use?

Semi-structured face-to-face interview

You want to collect rich data on how healthcare professionals interact and influence each other's opinions about patient care. You plan to facilitate a discussion among 6-12 participants with shared experiences. What data collection method is most appropriate?

Focus group discussion

A researcher wants to study a workplace environment by fully participating in the daily activities of the group, blending in as a team member to gain insider perspectives. Which type of observation does this describe?

Complete participant

You create an interview guide to cover specific topics for your study and then try it out on a few participants to make sure your questions are clear and relevant. What is this step called?

Pilot testing

You need to collect data from historical records to understand changes in hospital policies over the last 20 years. Which qualitative data gathering tool will you use?

Archival research

You want to ensure that your qualitative study includes participants representing different age groups, health statuses, and socio-economic backgrounds, so you prepare a list of these characteristics and recruit until each category is represented. What type of sampling strategy are you using?

Quota sampling (criterion sampling)

A researcher studying a hidden population, such as victims of domestic violence, starts by interviewing a few known participants who then refer the researcher to others in the community. This chain referral continues until enough data is gathered. What sampling method is this?

Snowball sampling

You want to select participants simply because they are easily accessible during your research period, such as patients visiting a clinic on certain days. You are less concerned with how representative they are. Which sampling strategy are you using?

Convenience sampling

A researcher is studying the experiences of nurses who hold key leadership roles in hospital departments because their views are believed to be especially insightful and influential. What type of sampling is this?

Critical case sampling

You want to build a sample that covers a wide range of participant characteristics to capture the fullest diversity of views possible. You iteratively refine your sample during data collection to maximize this diversity. What sampling strategy best describes this?

Maximum variation sampling

You are conducting a study where you recruit participants based on their potential to extend or test a theory that is emerging from your data analysis. You select new cases specifically to challenge or expand your understanding. Which sampling method are you using?

Theoretical sampling

You randomly select participants from a population so that every individual has an equal chance of being included in your study. Which sampling method does this describe?

Random sampling

You want to include participants who best represent the "average" or most common experience related to your study topic. Which sampling strategy should you use?

Typical case sampling