Methods Final Exam Study Guide: Winter 2025

This set of flashcards includes key concepts from structured surveys, interviews, question design, observation methods, qualitative and quantitative research approaches, and ethical considerations relevant to the Methods Final Exam.

What is the cornerstone of structured methods in research?

Standardization, which ensures consistency in question phrasing and answer recording.

What is an interview schedule?

A formalized list of questions to be asked in a specific order during structured interviews.

What are structured questionnaires?

A self-administered data collection method where respondents answer questions without an interviewer present.

What is a major drawback of structured questionnaires?

They may lead to lower response rates and lack the flexibility of interviews.

What does the feminist critique of research examine?

It examines power dynamics in research, highlighting how traditional methods can perpetuate existing inequalities and biases.

What type of questions assesses personal characteristics?

Personal factual questions.

What should be avoided in question design to ensure clarity?

Ambiguous terms and double-barreled questions.

What are open-ended questions?

Questions that allow respondents to answer in their own words, providing rich qualitative data.

What is the purpose of pilot studies in research?

To identify potential problems with research instruments before the main study.

What is the Hawthorne effect?

Changes in behavior that occur when people know they are being observed.

What is structured observation?

A systematic method of observing and recording behavior using pre-defined categories and procedures.

What are the ethical concerns associated with covert observation?

Informed consent and privacy issues.

What is secondary data?

Data collected by others for purposes other than the current research.

What are the strengths of qualitative research?

It focuses on in-depth understanding, rich descriptions, and context-specific interpretations.

What does quantitative research emphasize?

Numerical data, standardized procedures, and generalizability.

What are the advantages of using closed-ended questions?

They offer pre-defined answer choices, making data analysis easier.

What can affect the reliability of official statistics?

Social construction and the processes involved in data collection.