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Question 01

Which of the following is not an example of a problem with using social survey research to investigate behaviour?

a) Respondents tend to answer by giving the most socially desirable answer.

b) Respondents may inadvertently omit key terms in the question.

c) Respondents may not give an honest reply to what they see as a threatening question.

d) Respondents may be unwilling to reveal information as they believe they are likely to be identified.

Question 02

What is structured observation?

a) The analysis of tall buildings.

b) A technique in which the researcher observes behaviour from one position in the workplace.

c) A technique in which the researcher uses specific rules for behaviour observation.

d) A technique in which the researcher observes behaviour from a covert location.

Question 03

In Mintzberg's (1973) study of managerial work, structured data were collected by which method?

a) A mail record which described each piece of mail and the action taken to respond to it.

b) A travel record which described the number of times a manager travelled between regional offices.

c) A lunch record which described the time managers took for lunch breaks.

d) A banter record which described all of the informal humorous conversations managers had with subordinates.

Question 04

When devising an observation schedule it is important that the observer:

a) has a clear focus about who or what they are observing.

b) uses a recording system that is easy to operate.

c) uses mutually exclusive and inclusive categories.

d) all of the above.

Question 05

Which of the following is a strategy for observing the behaviour of a bank manager in a structured fashion?

a) A daily observation of their morning briefing to the branch.

b) Observations of their interactions with customers.

c) Four observations during the day lasting twenty-five minutes each.

d) Observation of all filing conducted by the manager each day.

Question 06

Following Martin & Bateson (1986) an observation of a specific individual for a set period of time is an example of:

a) scan sampling.

b) focal sampling.

c) ad libitum sampling.

d) behaviour sampling.

Question 07

The difference between inter-observer consistency and intra-observer consistency is:

a) inter-observer consistency refers to the degree to which different observers agree, whereas intra-observer consistency refers to the degree one observer remains consistent over time.

b) inter-observer consistency refers to the need for all observations to be conducted at identical times, whereas intra-observer consistency refers to the need for one observer to observe only one behaviour.

c) inter-observer consistency refers to the practice of observers observing each other, whereas intra-observer consistency refers to the practice of observer self-assessment.

d) inter-observer consistency refers to the degree the subjects demonstrate the same behaviours, whereas intra-observer consistency refers to the degree that the subjects demonstrate different behaviours.

Question 08

What is the benefit of a conducting a structured observation using a field stimulation?

a) It is an overtly ethical form of research.

b) It ensures that the subjects are fully informed of the research.

c) It reduces the problem of subject reactivity.

d) It is usually conducted outdoors.

Question 09

Which issues can be observed more effectively during an organisational simulation than in a 'real' organizational setting?

a) Time managers spend on customer complaints.

b) Distance managers walk each day.

c) Decision making and problem solving.

d) Attitudes towards health and safety.

Question 10

A criticism of structured observation is that it:

a) neglects the context within which behaviour occurs.

b) neglects the links between behaviour and personality.

c) neglects the role of the structures of capitalism that influence behaviour.

d) neglects the importance of language in organizational settings.

Oxford University Press, Online Resource Centre, Chapter 11.

Chapter 11

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