McqMate
| 1. |
We review the relevant literature to know: |
| A. | what is already known about the topic |
| B. | what concepts and theories have been applied to the topic |
| C. | who are the key contributors to the topic |
| D. | all of the above |
| Answer» D. all of the above | |
| 2. |
A deductive theory is one that: |
| A. | allows theory to emerge out of the data |
| B. | involves testing an explicitly defined hypothesis |
| C. | allows for findings to feed back into the stock of knowledge |
| D. | uses qualitative methods whenever possible |
| Answer» B. involves testing an explicitly defined hypothesis | |
| 3. |
What does 'sampling cases' mean? |
| A. | sampling using a sampling frame |
| B. | identifying people who are suitable for research |
| C. | literally, the researcher\s brief-case |
| D. | sampling people, newspapers, television programmes etc. |
| Answer» D. sampling people, newspapers, television programmes etc. | |
| 4. |
Which of the following is not a data-collection method? |
| A. | research questions |
| B. | unstructured interviewing |
| C. | postal survey questionnaires |
| D. | participant observation |
| Answer» A. research questions | |
| 5. |
Why is data analysis concerned with data reduction? |
| A. | because far too much data is collected than is required |
| B. | because we need to make sense of the data |
| C. | because of the repetitions in answers to questionnaires |
| D. | because the sample size has been exceeded |
| Answer» B. because we need to make sense of the data | |
| 6. |
The core ingredients of a dissertation are: |
| A. | introduction; data collection; data analysis; conclusions and recommendations. |
| B. | executive summary; literature review; data gathered; conclusions; bibliography. |
| C. | research plan; research data; analysis; references. |
| D. | introduction; literature review; research methods; results; discussion; conclusion. |
| Answer» D. introduction; literature review; research methods; results; discussion; conclusion. | |
| 7. |
Which of the following is a component of ethnographic research? |
| A. | being immersed in a social group or setting |
| B. | participant observation, interviews, and/or documentary analysis |
| C. | a written account of an ethnographic study |
| D. | all of the above |
| Answer» D. all of the above | |
| 8. |
What is a key informant? |
| A. | a group member who helps the ethnographer gain access to relevant people/events |
| B. | a senior level member of the organisation who refuses to allow researchers into it |
| C. | a participant who appears to be helpful but then blows the researcher\s cover |
| D. | someone who cuts keys to help the ethnographer gain access to a building |
| Answer» A. a group member who helps the ethnographer gain access to relevant people/events | |
| 9. |
What is the name of the role adopted by an ethnographer who joins in with the group's activities but admits to being a researcher? |
| A. | complete participant |
| B. | participant-as-observer |
| C. | observer-as-participant |
| D. | complete observer |
| Answer» B. participant-as-observer | |
| 10. |
Is it okay to break the law in order to maintain a "cover"? |
| A. | yes, provided it is not very serious |
| B. | no, never under any circumstances |
| C. | yes, because otherwise data on criminal activity would never come to light |
| D. | yes, provided it doesn\t cause physical harm to someone |
| Answer» B. no, never under any circumstances | |
| 11. |
What is the difference between "scratch notes" and "full field notes"? |
| A. | scratch notes are just key words and phrases, rather than lengthy descriptions |
| B. | full field notes are quicker and easier to write than scratch notes |
| C. | scratch notes are written at the end of the day rather than during key events |
| D. | full field notes do not involve the researcher scratching their head while thinking |
| Answer» A. scratch notes are just key words and phrases, rather than lengthy descriptions | |
| 12. |
What are the two main types of data that can be used in visual ethnography? |
| A. | positivist and interpretivist |
| B. | qualitative and quantitative |
| C. | nominal and ordinal |
| D. | extant and research-driven |
| Answer» D. extant and research-driven | |
| 13. |
Which of the following makes qualitative interviewing distinct from structured interviewing? |
| A. | the procedure is less standardized |
| B. | "rambling" off the topic is not a problem |
| C. | the researcher seeks rich, detailed answers |
| D. | all of the above |
| Answer» D. all of the above | |
| 14. |
Which of the following is not a type of qualitative interview? |
| A. | unstructured interview |
| B. | oral history interview |
| C. | structured interview |
| D. | focus group interview |
| Answer» C. structured interview | |
| 15. |
What is a "probing question"? |
| A. | one that inquires about a sensitive or deeply personal issue |
| B. | one that encourages the interviewee to say more about a topic |
| C. | one that asks indirectly about people\s opinions |
| D. | one that moves the conversation on to another topic |
| Answer» B. one that encourages the interviewee to say more about a topic | |
| 16. |
What can you do to reduce the time consuming nature of transcribing interviews? |
| A. | use a transcribing machine |
| B. | employ someone to transcribe for you |
| C. | transcribe only selected parts of the interviews |
| D. | all of the above |
| Answer» D. all of the above | |
| 17. |
Which of the following is not a type of life story? |
| A. | naturalistic life stories |
| B. | researched life stories |
| C. | true life stories |
| D. | reflexive and recursive life stories |
| Answer» C. true life stories | |
| 18. |
Which of the following is an advantage of qualitative interviewing relative to participant observation? |
| A. | it allows you to find out about issues that are resistant to observation |
| B. | it is more biased and value-laden |
| C. | it is more likely to create reactive effects |
| D. | none of the above |
| Answer» A. it allows you to find out about issues that are resistant to observation | |
| 19. |
Which of the following is a disadvantage of qualitative interviewing relative to participant observation? |
| A. | it has a more specific focus |
| B. | it is more ethically dubious, in terms of obtaining informed consent |
| C. | it may not provide access to deviant or hidden activities |
| D. | it does not allow participants to reconstruct their life events |
| Answer» C. it may not provide access to deviant or hidden activities | |
| 20. |
The introductory section of a research report should aim to: |
| A. | identify the specific focus of the study |
| B. | provide a rationale for the dissertation, or article |
| C. | grab the reader\s attention |
| D. | all of the above |
| Answer» D. all of the above | |
| 21. |
What is the purpose of the conclusion in a research report? |
| A. | it explains how concepts were operationally defined and measured |
| B. | it contains a useful review of the relevant literature |
| C. | it outlines the methodological procedures that were employed |
| D. | it summarizes the key findings in relation to the research questions |
| Answer» D. it summarizes the key findings in relation to the research questions | |
| 22. |
Which of the following is not normally included in a written account of qualitative research? |
| A. | an introduction, locating the research in its theoretical context |
| B. | an explanation of the design of the study |
| C. | a discussion of the main findings in relation to the research questions |
| D. | a decision to accept or reject the hypothesis |
| Answer» D. a decision to accept or reject the hypothesis | |
| 23. |
Before submitting your dissertation, you should ensure that: |
| A. | your writing is free of sexist, racist and disablist language |
| B. | other people have read your final draft |
| C. | you have proofread it thoroughly |
| D. | all of the above |
| Answer» D. all of the above | |
| 24. |
Probability sampling is rarely used in qualitative research because: |
| A. | qualitative researchers are not trained in statistics |
| B. | it is very old-fashioned |
| C. | it is often not feasible |
| D. | research questions are more important than sampling |
| Answer» C. it is often not feasible | |
| 25. |
The two levels of sampling used by Savage et al. (2005) for the Manchester study were: |
| A. | random and purposive |
| B. | convenience and snowball |
| C. | statistical and non-statistical |
| D. | contexts and participants |
| Answer» D. contexts and participants | |
| 26. |
Which of the following is not a type of purposive sampling? |
| A. | probability sampling |
| B. | deviant case sampling |
| C. | theoretical sampling |
| D. | snowball sampling |
| Answer» A. probability sampling | |
| 27. |
The minimum sample size for qualitative interviewing is: |
| A. | 30 |
| B. | 31 |
| C. | 60 |
| D. | it\s hard to say |
| Answer» D. it\s hard to say | |
| 28. |
Why is an ethnographic study unlikely to use a probability sample? |
| A. | because the aim of understanding is more important than that of generalization |
| B. | because the researcher cannot control who is willing to talk to them |
| C. | because it is difficult to identify a sampling frame |
| D. | all of the above |
| Answer» D. all of the above | |
| 29. |
Apart from people, what else can purposive sampling be used for? |
| A. | documents |
| B. | timing of events |
| C. | context |
| D. | all of the above |
| Answer» D. all of the above | |
| 30. |
What can be generalized from a purposive sample? |
| A. | that the findings are true for broadly similar cases |
| B. | that the findings are true for the entire population |
| C. | that the opposite is true for people who are the opposite of those in the sample |
| D. | that purposive sampling is better than probability sampling |
| Answer» A. that the findings are true for broadly similar cases | |
| 31. |
Which of the following is a problem associated with survey research? |
| A. | the problem of objectivity |
| B. | the problem of "going native" |
| C. | the problem of omission |
| D. | the problem of robustness |
| Answer» C. the problem of omission | |
| 32. |
The key advantage of structured observation over survey research is that: |
| A. | it does not rely on the researcher\s ability to take notes |
| B. | the researcher is immersed as a participant in the field they are studying |
| C. | it does not impose any expectations of behaviour on the respondents |
| D. | it allows you to observe people\s behaviour directly |
| Answer» D. it allows you to observe people\s behaviour directly | |
| 33. |
It may not be possible to use a probability sample to observe behaviour in public places because: |
| A. | the findings of such studies are not intended to have external validity |
| B. | it is not feasible to construct a sampling frame of interactions |
| C. | it is difficult to gain access to such social settings |
| D. | researchers prefer not to use random samples whenever possible |
| Answer» B. it is not feasible to construct a sampling frame of interactions | |
| 34. |
Which of the following is not a type of sampling used in structured observation? |
| A. | focal sampling |
| B. | scan sampling |
| C. | emotional sampling |
| D. | behaviour sampling |
| Answer» C. emotional sampling | |
| 35. |
One of the criticisms often levelled at structured observation is that: |
| A. | it does not allow us to impose any framework on the social setting |
| B. | it only generates a small amount of data |
| C. | it is unethical to observe people without an observation schedule |
| D. | it does not allow us to understand the intentions behind behaviour |
| Answer» D. it does not allow us to understand the intentions behind behaviour | |
| 36. |
What is a research design? |
| A. | a way of conducting research that is not grounded in theory |
| B. | the choice between using qualitative or quantitative methods |
| C. | the style in which you present your research findings, e.g. a graph |
| D. | a framework for every stage of the collection and analysis of data |
| Answer» D. a framework for every stage of the collection and analysis of data | |
| 37. |
Cross cultural studies are an example of: |
| A. | case study design |
| B. | comparative design |
| C. | experimental design |
| D. | longitudinal design |
| Answer» B. comparative design | |
| 38. |
What is a 'grand theory'? |
| A. | one that was proposed by one of the major theorists in the sociological tradition |
| B. | one that is highly abstract and makes broad generalizations about the social world |
| C. | an intermediate level explanation of observed regularities |
| D. | a particularly satisfactory theory that makes the researcher feel happy |
| Answer» B. one that is highly abstract and makes broad generalizations about the social world | |
| 39. |
An inductive theory is one that: |
| A. | involves testing an explicitly defined hypothesis |
| B. | does not allow for findings to feed back into the stock of knowledge |
| C. | uses quantitative methods whenever possible |
| D. | allows theory to emerge out of the data |
| Answer» D. allows theory to emerge out of the data | |
| 40. |
The qualitative research strategy places a value on: |
| A. | using numbers, measurements and statistical techniques |
| B. | generating theories through inductive research about social meanings |
| C. | conducting research that is of a very high quality |
| D. | all of the above |
| Answer» B. generating theories through inductive research about social meanings | |
| 41. |
An important practical issue to consider when designing a research project is: |
| A. | which theoretical perspective you find most interesting |
| B. | whether or not you have time to retile the bathroom first |
| C. | how much time and money you have to conduct the research |
| D. | which colour of ring binder to present your work in |
| Answer» C. how much time and money you have to conduct the research | |
| 42. |
You can manage your time and resources best, by: |
| A. | working out a timetable |
| B. | finding out what resources are readily available to you |
| C. | calculating a budget for likely expenditure |
| D. | all of the above |
| Answer» D. all of the above | |
| 43. |
How can you tell if your research questions are really good? |
| A. | if they guide your literature search |
| B. | if they are linked together to help you construct a coherent argument |
| C. | if they force you to narrow the scope of your research |
| D. | all of the above |
| Answer» D. all of the above | |
| 44. |
Which of the following should be included in a research proposal? |
| A. | your academic status and experience |
| B. | the difficulties you encountered with your previous reading on the topic |
| C. | your choice of research methods and reasons for choosing them |
| D. | all of the above |
| Answer» C. your choice of research methods and reasons for choosing them | |
| 45. |
Which of the following should you think about when preparing your research? |
| A. | your sample frame and sampling strategy |
| B. | the ethical issues that might arise |
| C. | negotiating access to the setting |
| D. | all of the above |
| Answer» D. all of the above | |
| 46. |
What practical steps can you take before you actually start your research? |
| A. | find out exactly what your institution\s requirements are for a dissertation |
| B. | make sure you are familiar with the hardware and software you plan to use |
| C. | apply for clearance of your project through an ethics committee |
| D. | all of the above |
| Answer» D. all of the above | |
| 47. |
Why do you need to review the existing literature? |
| A. | to make sure you have a long list of references |
| B. | because without it, you could never reach the required word-count |
| C. | to find out what is already known about your area of interest |
| D. | to help in your general studying |
| Answer» C. to find out what is already known about your area of interest | |
| 48. |
What is the first stage of a systematic review? |
| A. | assess the relevance of each study to the research question(s) |
| B. | define the purpose and scope of the review |
| C. | appraise the quality of studies from the previous step |
| D. | survey all of the literature contained within a single library |
| Answer» B. define the purpose and scope of the review | |
| 49. |
The term "secondary analysis" refers to the technique of: |
| A. | conducting a study of seconds, minutes and other measures of time |
| B. | analysing your own data in two different ways |
| C. | analysing existing data that has been collected by another person or organization |
| D. | working part time on a project alongside other responsibilities |
| Answer» C. analysing existing data that has been collected by another person or organization | |
| 50. |
Why might secondary analysis be a particularly useful method for students? |
| A. | it is relatively easy to do |
| B. | it saves time and money |
| C. | it does not require any knowledge of statistics |
| D. | it only requires a half-hearted effort |
| Answer» B. it saves time and money | |
| 51. |
Which of the following is not an advantage of secondary analysis? |
| A. | it immerses the researcher in the field they are studying |
| B. | it tends to be based on high quality data |
| C. | it provides an opportunity for longitudinal analysis |
| D. | it allows you to study patterns and social trends over time |
| Answer» A. it immerses the researcher in the field they are studying | |
| 52. |
The large samples used in national social surveys enable new researchers to: |
| A. | avoid using probability sampling |
| B. | identify any bias in the question wording |
| C. | evaluate the inter-coder reliability of the data |
| D. | conduct subgroup analysis |
| Answer» D. conduct subgroup analysis | |
| 53. |
Which of the following is not a disadvantage of using secondary analysis? |
| A. | the researcher\s lack of familiarity with the data |
| B. | it is a relatively expensive and time consuming process |
| C. | hierarchical datasets can be very confusing |
| D. | the researcher has no control over the quality of the data |
| Answer» B. it is a relatively expensive and time consuming process | |
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