PG52-58 Qualitative Research Methods: Strengths and Limitations

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Questions and Answers

What is a key strength of unstructured interviews?

  • Allowing the researcher to pre-judge what data is important
  • Encouraging respondents to talk freely in their own words (correct)
  • Limiting the researcher's input to reflect their interests
  • Controlling the direction and flow of the conversation

What skill is required for carrying out unstructured interviews effectively?

  • Allowing the conversation to lead into irrelevant areas
  • Controlling the direction of the interview
  • Resisting the temptation to influence or interrupt (correct)
  • Influencing and interrupting the respondents

Why is establishing a strong understanding with respondents important in unstructured interviews?

  • To pre-judge what data is relevant
  • To encourage respondents to talk freely and explore sensitive issues (correct)
  • To control the flow of the conversation
  • To ensure the research takes place in a formal setting

What is a limitation of unstructured interviews?

<p>The conversation may lead into irrelevant areas (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can unstructured interviews be likened to a conversation?

<p>The conversation may flow naturally without strict direction (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do unstructured interviews require considerable skill from the researcher?

<p>To resist influencing and interrupting respondents (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main limitations of interviews mentioned in the text?

<p>Interviews are too time-consuming and generate too much data (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key strength of semi-structured interviews mentioned in the text?

<p>They enable the researcher to discover new ideas and information from the respondent (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of semi-structured interviews mentioned in the text?

<p>They require advanced skills from the researcher that are difficult to develop (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential problem with the validity of interview data?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of using focus groups in group interviews according to the text?

<p>To prevent gender and class variables from affecting the data (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of semi-structured interviews mentioned in the text?

<p>They lack standardization, making data analysis difficult (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key strength of semi-structured interviews mentioned in the text?

<p>They enable the researcher to discover new ideas and information from the respondent (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of interviews in general mentioned in the text?

<p>They lack standardization and reliability (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key purpose of using open-ended questions in semi-structured interviews according to the text?

<p>To enable the researcher to discover new ideas and information from the respondent (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of group interviews mentioned in the text?

<p>They lack standardization and reliability (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key factors for the success of group interviews?

<p>Having advance (predetermined) questions for exploration (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do proponents of group interviews argue that they are more realistic?

<p>As social life involves interactions with others (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one limitation associated with group interviews?

<p>Risk of 'Groupthink' influencing responses (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What observational method is based on the idea that data are more valid when gathered by observing behavior directly?

<p>Participant observation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept is still widely used and attributed to Max Weber in sociology?

<p>'Verstehen' (empathy) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for a researcher to control the behavior of a group during interviews?

<p>To allow people to speak freely while maintaining focus (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Max Weber reject the idea of social facts to be discovered?

<p>He focuses on understanding meanings attached to actions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'desired outcome' that group participants may feel pressured to arrive at during an interview?

<p>Stating what they believe others want to hear (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Harriet Martineau contribute to the field of sociology?

<p>She conducted her own research while traveling around the United States. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Harriet Martineau advocate for?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does sponsorship play in social research, as exemplified by Venkatesh's study?

<p>Sponsorship helps researchers gain access to groups for study. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of overt observation in social research?

<p>People being observed may alter their behavior due to awareness of the observer. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of clearly defining the observer's role in social research?

<p>It reduces the risk of unethical or dangerous behavior by researchers. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might a researcher struggle to conduct overt observation research?

<p>High costs and significant time investment required. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of a researcher 'going native' in their studied group?

<p>'Going native' can lead to a deeper understanding of the group but reduce objectivity. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'Going native' refers to what phenomenon in social research?

<p>'Going native' indicates becoming too involved in a group and losing objectivity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'Theoretical criticisms focus on which effect related to social research observations?

<p>'Theoretical criticisms focus on the Hawthorne effect.' (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

'Sponsorship' in social research primarily aids researchers in what aspect?

<p>'Sponsorship' assists researchers in gaining entry to groups for study purposes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason Goffman was able to covertly observe the mental institution, despite not being a doctor or mentally ill?

<p>He took a manual job within the institution (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what is one limitation of covert participant observation that Goffman identified?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason the passage suggests it may be difficult for a covert participant observer to leave a group they have joined?

<p>Both a and b (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one limitation of covert participant observation mentioned in the passage that prevents the research from being easily replicated?

<p>The researcher cannot take notes or openly record conversations (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what is a key challenge a covert participant observer faces in staying integrated with a group they are studying?

<p>Both a and c (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between overt participant observation and covert participant observation?

<p>In overt participation, the subjects are aware of being studied, while covert participation involves observing behavior secretly. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might covert observation be necessary in research according to the text?

<p>To study people who would not allow themselves to be researched. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of covert participant observation for researchers?

<p>Avoiding the observer effect on subjects' behavior. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of overt participant observation mentioned in the text?

<p>The researcher becomes too involved and 'becomes the story'. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does covert observation contribute to avoiding bias in research according to the text?

<p>By avoiding influencing subjects' behaviors due to the observer effect. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one strength of overt participant observation highlighted in the text?

<p>Gaining valuable insights into meanings within a group. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it challenging for researchers to accurately record behavior during overt participant observation?

<p>Because no researcher can record everything that happens during observations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario might covert participant observation be particularly useful according to the text?

<p>When studying people who would not allow themselves to be researched. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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