Ethnographic Research Methods MCQs
- What is the primary goal of ethnographic research methods?
a) To test hypotheses through controlled experiments
b) To understand and describe a culture or social group from an insider’s perspective
c) To analyze historical documents and texts
d) To measure the genetic variations in a population
Answer: b) To understand and describe a culture or social group from an insider’s perspective
- Which method involves the researcher participating in and observing the daily life of the study group?
a) Survey research
b) Case study
c) Participant observation
d) Experimental research
Answer: c) Participant observation
- What is ‘fieldwork’ in ethnographic research?
a) Conducting surveys in a laboratory setting
b) Collecting and analyzing numerical data
c) Immersing oneself in a community to gather detailed qualitative data
d) Reviewing historical records and documents
Answer: c) Immersing oneself in a community to gather detailed qualitative data
- Which term describes the process of developing relationships and gaining trust with research participants?
a) Rapport building
b) Data triangulation
c) Hypothesis testing
d) Statistical analysis
Answer: a) Rapport building
- What does ‘ethnographic interviewing’ typically involve?
a) Structured questions with predetermined answers
b) Open-ended questions to explore participants’ experiences and perspectives
c) Numerical data collection through surveys
d) Laboratory-based experiments to test theories
Answer: b) Open-ended questions to explore participants’ experiences and perspectives
- Which technique involves the use of field notes to document observations and reflections during research?
a) Coding
b) Memo writing
c) Data entry
d) Statistical analysis
Answer: b) Memo writing
- What is ‘thick description’ in ethnographic research?
a) Detailed statistical analysis of data
b) A comprehensive and nuanced account of cultural practices and meanings
c) The process of summarizing data in brief reports
d) The analysis of historical texts and artifacts
Answer: b) A comprehensive and nuanced account of cultural practices and meanings
- Which method involves the researcher documenting and analyzing the physical environment and material culture of the study group?
a) Visual ethnography
b) Historical analysis
c) Survey research
d) Statistical analysis
Answer: a) Visual ethnography
- What is the role of ‘reflexivity’ in ethnographic research?
a) The process of reflecting on how the researcher’s own background and biases influence the study
b) The statistical measurement of data reliability
c) The triangulation of data from multiple sources
d) The use of structured interviews to collect data
Answer: a) The process of reflecting on how the researcher’s own background and biases influence the study
- Which technique involves analyzing patterns and themes within qualitative data collected from interviews and observations?
a) Content analysis
b) Experimental analysis
c) Regression analysis
d) Hypothesis testing
Answer: a) Content analysis