Chapter 10Using Observation

Observation is:
1. A key data gathering method in the social sciences.
2. The role the research supervisor takes in the research process.
3. The role the researcher takes in the research process.
4. A key element of the theoretical framework.
The main kinds of observation used in data gathering are:
1. Near observation and distant observation.
2. Participant observation, non-participant observation (or simple observation) and covert observation.
3. Close observation and distant observation.
4. Researcher observation and non-researcher observation.
The methodological framework is:
1. The first framework in the four frameworks approach to the research project.
2. The second framework in the four frameworks approach to the research project.
3. The third framework in the four frameworks approach to the research project.
4. The fourth framework in the four frameworks approach to the research project.
Observation studies produce:
1. Quantitative data.
2. Qualitative data.
3. Quantitative or qualitative data.
4. No data.
Quantitative research is situated within:
1. A constructivist framework.
2. An interpretivist framework.
3. A positivist framework.
4. A theoretical framework.
Qualitative research is situated within:
1. A conceptual framework.
2. A theoretical framework.
3. A positivist framework.
4. A constructivist or an interpretivist framework.
Observation as a data gathering method is a traditional method in:
1. Ethnographic research.
2. Archival research.
3. Metal analysis research.
4. Content analysis research.
Participant observation is a data gathering method in which:
1. The research participants participate in the action being observed.
2. The research supervisor participates in the action being observed.
3. The researcher participates in the action being observed.
4. No one participates in the action being observed.
Covert observation:
1. Is the best kind of observation.
2. Is the observation method in which the researcher participates in the action being observed.
3. Is the observation method in which the researcher does not participate in the action being observed.
4. Is hidden observation, those being observed are not told that they are being observed.
Observation in research is very simply:
1. About facilitating a group discussion on the phenomenon under investigation.
2. About asking participants to respond to questions.
3. About watching and observing the phenomenon under investigation.
4. About encouraging participants to fill in questionnaires.
The decision to use observation in any study is taken in response to:
1. The data requirements of the research project and the location of that data.
2. The wishes of the researcher.
3. The wishes of the research supervisor.
4. The wishes of the participants in the research.
Observation schedules can be:
1. Open or closed.
2. Broad or narrow.
3. Easy or hard.
4. Structured, semi-structured or un-structured.
Rigour is:
1. In the nature of the researcher.
2. In the nature of the relationship between the researcher and the research supervisor.
3. Difficult to define or explain.
4. One of the most important principles in research.
For a research project to be rigorous it must:
1. Be difficult to carry out and complete.
2. Adhere to the scientific principles of research.
3. Very big and very complex.
4. Designed by the research supervisor rather than the researcher.
In a pilot study:
1. The researcher tests the design of the research project, usually the data gathering method(s) to be used in the research project, before carrying out the research.
2. The research supervisor carries out the research.
3. The research project is designed but it is not carried out.
4. The student researcher learns how to carry out research.