Ninth Edition CoverGraziano & Raulin
Research Methods (9th edition)

Chapter 6 Essay Questions
Field Research
Naturalistic and Case-Study Research

  1. What is the value of low-constraint research? What can be gained from such research, and what are the limitations of this type of research?

  2. Define any research question, and assume that no prior research has been done in that area. Describe how you would use low-constraint research procedures to illuminate important issues in this area of study that could be studied later with higher constraint research.

  3. Discuss the ethical issues that are involved in using unobtrusive measures in research. How are the participants' rights protected?

  4. You are in a discussion about research, and someone asserts "The only worthwhile research is high-constraint experimentation!" You jump into the discussion and explain how low-constraint research can be valuable. Develop your argument, making it as strong as you can.

  5. What is the ex post facto fallacy? Develop five examples of research conclusions in which the ex post facto fallacy occurs.

  6. Explain and discuss this idea: "In naturalistic research, the constraint or controls are placed on the researcher."

  7. What are the two essential characteristics of low-constraint research?

  8. Differentiate between naturalistic and case-study research methods.

  9. Under what conditions do we use low-constraint research methods?

  10. Sometimes naturalistic research allows greater generalization than does laboratory research. How?

  11. Explain how naturalistic research can negate a general proposition but cannot establish a general proposition.

  12. Explain the concept of measurement reactivity.

  13. What is experimenter reactivity?