Research Midterm

Nonverbal observation can be performed by people and machines. People have the ability to interpret and analyze nonverbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and gestures. Machines, on the other hand, can be programmed to detect and analyze nonverbal signals using technologies like computer vision and machine learning. Together, people and machines can provide a comprehensive understanding of nonverbal communication and its implications in various fields such as psychology, sociology, and anthropology.

The source of error in communication research that is present in this example is measurement questions. This refers to the potential bias or inaccuracies that can arise from the way questions are formulated or the response options provided. In this case, the survey response options of Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree may not accurately capture the nuances of Emma's satisfaction with her overall experience with NetFlix, leading to potential measurement error.

A lie detector is a device used to measure electrical activity in the participant's skin. A galvanometer is a type of instrument that measures small electrical currents. It is commonly used in lie detectors to detect changes in the skin's conductivity, which can indicate stress or arousal levels. Therefore, a galvanometer is the correct answer as it is the specific instrument used in lie detectors to measure electrical activity in the participant's skin.

A telephone survey asking participants whether they have donated money to the Tsunami Relief Fund is subject to social desirability bias. This means that participants may feel pressured to provide answers that they believe are socially acceptable or desirable, rather than giving their true response. This bias can lead to inaccurate data as participants may overstate or understate their actual behavior in order to conform to societal expectations.

The observation of human verbal behavior during conversation, presentation, or interaction is known as linguistic observation. This involves analyzing and studying the language, speech patterns, and communication styles used by individuals in various social contexts. It focuses on understanding the meaning, structure, and function of language in human interactions.

The question "why" cannot be answered using the observational method because it requires an understanding of the underlying reasons or motivations behind a certain phenomenon or behavior. Observational methods primarily focus on observing and describing what, where, who, and how things occur, rather than providing insights into the reasons or causes behind them. To answer the question "why," other research methods such as experimental or qualitative approaches may be more suitable.

Self-administered questionnaires are surveys that individuals complete on their own without any direct involvement from a researcher. They can be delivered through various channels, such as mail, fax, internet, and disk-by-mail. However, telephone is not a suitable channel for self-administered questionnaires because it involves direct interaction with a researcher or interviewer. Therefore, telephone is the correct answer as it is not a delivery channel for self-administered questionnaires.

Self-administered communication data collection is typically the lowest-cost option because it involves the respondents completing surveys or questionnaires on their own, without the need for an interviewer. This eliminates the cost of hiring and training interviewers, as well as the expenses associated with conducting interviews in person or over the phone. Self-administered data collection methods can be distributed electronically or through mail, making it a cost-effective option for gathering information from a large number of respondents.

When the interviewer summarizes or interprets participant answers, it can lead to errors in data entry. This is because the interviewer's interpretation may not accurately capture the participant's intended meaning or response. These errors can result in incorrect data being entered into the system, leading to inaccurate analysis and conclusions. Therefore, data entry is the type of error that occurs in this situation.

Surveys delivered via the Internet reduce costs by eliminating the need for interviewers, as respondents can complete the survey online without the need for face-to-face interviews. Additionally, there is no need for postage, as the survey can be sent electronically. The use of online surveys also eliminates the need for manual data entry, as responses are automatically recorded and stored digitally. Finally, there is no need for printing, as the survey can be accessed and completed online. Therefore, all of the above options contribute to reducing costs when surveys are delivered via the Internet.

The correct answer is "Perception of anonymity." This refers to the belief or understanding that the interviewer will not be able to identify or recognize the respondents. This perception can affect how respondents behave and respond during interviews, as they may feel more comfortable disclosing sensitive or personal information when they believe their identity will remain anonymous.

Recording the radio station presets on cars brought into car repair shops can be considered as an example of trace evidence. Trace evidence refers to physical evidence that is left behind or transferred during a crime or an event. In this case, the radio station presets can serve as trace evidence, providing information about the previous owner's preferences or habits, which can be useful in investigations or identifying potential suspects.

In this example, the source of error in communication research is the interviewers. Rachel, the interviewer, is changing the wording of the question when interviewing customers of the NetFlix service. This change in wording can potentially bias the responses and affect the accuracy of the data collected. Therefore, the presence of interviewers as a source of error is evident in this scenario.

Nonresponse error refers to the bias that occurs when the individuals who do not respond to a survey differ systematically from those who do respond. In this case, the low response rate of only 1% suggests that the sample of 1,000 respondents may not be representative of the larger population of women who will marry in the next year. The nonresponse bias could potentially skew the results and make them less generalizable to the target population.

The correct answer is "interaction". Katie Couric's tendency to interrupt her guests' answers reflects the dimension of extralinguistic activity known as interaction. This dimension refers to the ways in which people interact with each other during communication, such as taking turns speaking, interrupting, or showing engagement through body language. Couric's behavior of interrupting her guests' answers during interviews demonstrates her active involvement in the conversation and her desire to steer the discussion in a particular direction.

A communication approach to data collection involves surveying people. This method involves directly interacting with individuals and asking them questions to gather data and information. By conducting surveys, researchers can collect specific and targeted data from a sample population, allowing them to gain insights and draw conclusions. This approach is useful in understanding people's opinions, preferences, behaviors, and attitudes towards a particular topic or issue. Surveying people helps in obtaining quantitative and qualitative data, which can be analyzed and used for various research purposes.

Proxemics is one form of spatial observation. Proxemics refers to the study of how individuals use and perceive space in social interactions. It focuses on the physical distance between people and how that distance affects communication and relationships. By observing the spatial behavior of individuals, such as their proximity to others or their use of personal space, one can gain insights into their social dynamics and cultural norms. Therefore, spatial is the correct answer as it accurately describes the type of observation involved in proxemics.

Surveys are used in communication research studies. Surveys are a common method of collecting data in communication research as they allow researchers to gather information from a large number of participants. Surveys can be used to measure attitudes, opinions, behaviors, and other variables related to communication processes. They provide a structured and standardized way of collecting data, allowing researchers to analyze and interpret the results to gain insights into various communication phenomena.

Social desirability responding refers to the tendency of respondents to give answers that they believe are socially desirable, even if those answers may not be truthful. This can happen when individuals want to present themselves in a positive light or conform to societal norms. It is a form of impression management where people strive to create a favorable impression of themselves.

Proxemics refers to the study of how individuals organize and maintain personal space and distance between themselves and others. It explores the cultural and social factors that influence people's behavior in different contexts, such as in public spaces, workplaces, or social gatherings. Proxemics helps us understand how individuals use and interpret personal space to communicate, establish boundaries, and navigate social interactions.

The given scenario presents an example of error caused by participants in communication research. Mike deliberately provided inaccurate information about his household income, age, and occupation during the interview. This intentional misreporting by the participant introduces bias and inaccuracies into the research data. Therefore, the correct answer is "Participants."

Observation as a data collection method has several advantages, including optimizing the naturalness of the setting, reducing obtrusiveness, avoiding participant filtering, and securing contextual information. However, it does not directly involve quantifying data. Observation focuses on gathering qualitative data by directly observing and recording behaviors, actions, and interactions. It does not involve measuring or quantifying data in a numerical or statistical manner. Therefore, quantifying data is not an advantage of observation as a data collection method.

A self-administered questionnaire refers to an instrument that is completed by the participant without any additional contact with an interviewer beyond the initial delivery of the instrument. This means that the participant receives the questionnaire and fills it out on their own without any assistance or interaction with an interviewer. This method allows for greater privacy and convenience for the participant, as they can complete the questionnaire at their own pace and in their preferred environment.

In this example from the television show Friends, Chandler and Ross are engaging in verbal stylistic extralinguistic activity. Verbal stylistic refers to the way in which language is used to convey personal style, humor, or individuality. Chandler's question "Could you BE anymore annoying?" demonstrates his sarcastic and mocking style of speaking, while Ross's tendency to over-enunciate words is a characteristic expression of his own style. Both characters are using their unique verbal styles to make fun of each other's pronunciation and expressions.

Spatial observation refers to the recording of how humans physically relate to one another. It involves observing and analyzing the physical proximity, body language, and gestures used by individuals during interactions. This type of observation focuses on understanding the spatial dynamics and relationships between people, providing valuable insights into social behavior and communication patterns.

The limitation of observation as a data collection method is the required time and expense. Observational studies often require a significant amount of time and resources to conduct, as researchers need to spend a considerable amount of time observing and documenting behaviors or events. Additionally, observation may require specialized equipment or trained observers, which can further increase the cost and time needed for data collection.

Factual observation is the most reliable form of observation because it is based on concrete evidence and observable facts. It involves directly observing and documenting overt actions or surface indicators, which leaves little room for interpretation or bias. This type of observation provides reliable and objective data that can be used to draw accurate conclusions and make informed decisions.

The failure to secure full participant cooperation for a study can result in sampling error. Sampling error occurs when the sample chosen for the study does not accurately represent the entire population, leading to biased or inaccurate results. If participants do not fully cooperate or refuse to participate, it can lead to a nonresponse bias, where the sample becomes unrepresentative of the population, resulting in sampling error.

Observers are not sources of error in communication research because they are responsible for observing and recording data accurately. Measurement questions, survey instruments, interviewers, and participants can all introduce errors into the research process. Measurement questions may be poorly worded or biased, survey instruments may have flaws or be designed in a way that influences responses, interviewers may introduce bias or misinterpret responses, and participants may provide inaccurate or incomplete information. However, observers play a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data collection.

Interviewer error may be caused by the falsification of answers. This refers to situations where the interviewer intentionally provides false information or manipulates the responses of the participants. This can happen for various reasons, such as the interviewer trying to influence the outcome of the interview or trying to fit the responses into a preconceived narrative.

The study reported in the Journal of Management Research found that individuals are more motivated to respond to surveys when the topic is salient. This means that when the survey topic is relevant and important to the respondents, they are more likely to participate and provide their feedback. The salience of the topic captures their attention and increases their motivation to respond.

Competing activities can decrease participant motivation because if individuals have other commitments or tasks that they prioritize, they may not be as motivated to participate in the research. When people have limited time and energy, they may choose to engage in activities that they perceive as more important or enjoyable, leading to a decrease in their motivation to participate in the research.

Acquiescence refers to the tendency for respondents to be agreeable, even if they do not truly agree with the statement or question being asked. This behavior is often influenced by social desirability, as individuals may feel pressure to provide answers that are seen as socially acceptable or desirable. Acquiescence can lead to biased or inaccurate responses in surveys or research studies, as individuals may be more likely to agree with statements regardless of their true beliefs or opinions.

Accessibility refers to the ease with which a survey can be accessed by participants. Mail surveys generally maximize accessibility because they can be sent to a wide range of individuals and can be completed at the participant's convenience. Unlike telephone surveys, mail surveys do not require immediate availability or access to a specific device. Similarly, mobile phones and internet surveys may have limitations in terms of device compatibility or internet connectivity. Fax surveys are also less accessible compared to mail surveys as they require access to a fax machine. Therefore, mail surveys are generally considered to be the most accessible option.

Researchers use machines to record behaviors for several reasons. One reason is that the human eye cannot accurately record behaviors that happen rapidly, as machines can capture and analyze data at a much faster rate. Additionally, humans cannot record and observe simultaneously, whereas machines can continuously monitor and record behaviors without distraction. Another reason is that the design of certain studies may require the observation of more than one person simultaneously, which can be easily achieved with machines. Furthermore, trained human observers can be expensive, making machines a more cost-effective option. However, the statement that machines can be disguised easily does not provide a valid reason for researchers to use them in recording behaviors.

Mail surveys are often perceived as the mode with the greatest anonymity because respondents can complete the survey in the privacy of their own homes without any direct interaction with the researcher. This allows respondents to feel more comfortable providing honest and unbiased answers, as they are not concerned about potential judgment or scrutiny from the researcher. Additionally, mail surveys provide a physical barrier between the respondent and the researcher, further enhancing the perceived anonymity.

Nonverbal observation involves the recording of motor expressions. Motor expressions refer to the physical movements and gestures that individuals make, such as facial expressions, body language, and hand gestures. These nonverbal cues can convey emotions, attitudes, and intentions, providing valuable information about a person's thoughts and feelings. By recording motor expressions, researchers can analyze and interpret these nonverbal cues to gain insights into human behavior and communication.

Internet penetration rates refers to the percentage of the population that has access to the internet. This is not a reason for the growth in web-based surveys because it is a factor that determines the potential reach of online surveys, rather than a reason for their growth. The growth in web-based surveys is primarily driven by factors such as participant perceptions of anonymity, ability to use visual stimuli, speed of response, and cost efficiencies.

Nonresponse error occurs when the responses of participants differ in some systematic way from the responses of nonparticipants. This means that the individuals who choose not to participate in a survey or study may have different opinions or characteristics compared to those who do participate. This can introduce bias into the data and affect the overall accuracy and representativeness of the results.

Individuals participating in the national Do Not Call registry are forbidden from receiving telemarketing calls. Telemarketing refers to the act of promoting or selling products or services over the telephone. This restriction aims to protect individuals from unwanted sales calls and preserve their privacy. Political polling, telephone surveys, and requests for charitable donations are not considered telemarketing activities, so they are not prohibited for individuals on the Do Not Call registry.

Video cameras and audio recorders are commonly used in retail customer tracking studies. These devices allow researchers to observe and record the behaviors of customers in a natural setting, such as a retail store. They can capture a wide range of behaviors, including interactions with products, browsing patterns, and purchasing decisions. By analyzing the recorded footage, researchers can gain insights into consumer behavior, preferences, and trends. These devices are valuable tools in understanding customer behavior and improving marketing strategies in retail settings.