Doing Field Work

1. 1. What is a key benefit of fieldwork in research?

• A) It allows researchers to simplify real-world complexities.

• B) It provides insights into real-world phenomena in their natural contexts.

• C) It focuses solely on theoretical frameworks.

• D) It relies exclusively on quantitative data collection.

2. Which of the following statements does NOT accurately reflect the meaning of "Gaining access in the field is a process, not an event"?

• A) It involves establishing rapport with participants to foster trust.

• B) It requires obtaining necessary permissions from relevant authorities.

• C) It should be treated as a brief, singular task rather than a continuous effort.

• D) It entails maintaining ongoing relationships with participants throughout the research.

3. What is the primary role of a gatekeeper in research?

• A) To control access to a research setting or population.

• B) To conduct the research on behalf of the researcher.

• C) To collect data from participants directly.

• D) To eliminate the need for establishing rapport with participants.

4. Which of the following statements does NOT align with the rules of thumb for doing favors during fieldwork in a research study?

• A) Avoid larger favors altogether.

• B) Offer small favors on rare occasions.

• C) Maintain a principled demeanor at all times.

• D) Occasionally seek favors from participants to strengthen relationships.

5. Which of the following best describes the inductive approach in research?

• A) Analyzing data to test pre-existing theories.

• B) Approaching data with an open mind and allowing it to inform conclusions.

• C) Conducting experiments to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

• D) Collecting data without any specific questions or hypotheses.

6. Which of the following is NOT a recommended tip for adopting an inductive approach in research?

• A) Listen carefully to what's happening.

• B) Make many initial assumptions to guide your analysis.

• C) Keep a good mental record of observations.

• D) Trust that patterns will emerge naturally without prompting.

7. Which statement best characterizes the purpose of site visits as a data collection method?

• A) They involve analyzing existing documents without engaging with participants.

• B) They focus on conducting remote surveys to gather feedback from participants.

• C) They require physically visiting a research location to observe, interview, and collect data.

• D) They emphasize using statistical methods to interpret data collected earlier.

8. Which of the following is NOT a reason why a researcher can be considered a research instrument in qualitative research?

• A) The ability to distinguish important from unimportant information.

• B) The use of five senses to measure and assess experiences.

• C) The focus on personal biases to influence findings.

• D) The capacity to remember and reflect on actions and interactions.

9. According to Robert Yin, what is a fundamental aspect of the field setting in qualitative research?

• A) It prioritizes experimental control and manipulation of variables.

• B) It focuses on understanding phenomena within their real-life context.

• C) It relies exclusively on surveys and questionnaires for data collection.

• D) It limits interaction with participants to avoid bias.

10. What is one potential drawback of having a site visitor host a site visit?

• A) It can enhance the researcher's understanding of local context.

• B) It may introduce biases into the data collection process.

• C) It provides language assistance that facilitates communication.

• D) It allows for more efficient access to the research site.