Which statement describes a strength of naturalistic observation?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Naturalistic observation reflects the participants' everyday lives because it involves observing individuals in their natural environments without any manipulation. This allows researchers to see how people behave in real-world settings and can provide valuable insights into their typical behavior patterns. Choice B is incorrect because naturalistic observation focuses on observing behavior in its natural setting rather than comparing responses between participants. Choice C is incorrect as naturalistic observation tends to provide rich, qualitative data rather than a large amount of information in a short time. Choice D is incorrect because in naturalistic observation, participants are observed as they naturally behave, which may not always lead to an equal opportunity for all participants to display the behavior of interest.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A case study would be the best method for Dr. Bigelow to study musical prodigies. In a case study, the researcher can closely examine and analyze the unique characteristics, abilities, and behaviors of individual subjects. This method allows for in-depth exploration of a specific phenomenon, making it ideal for investigating exceptional cases such as musical prodigies. Naturalistic observation involves observing subjects in their natural environment without interference, which may not provide the detailed insights needed for studying musical prodigies. Clinical interviews focus on gathering information through structured questioning, not ideal for studying unique talents. Structured interviews involve asking a set of predetermined questions, which may not allow for the depth of exploration required for studying musical prodigies.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The limitation of the ethnographic method is that investigators' cultural values sometimes lead them to misinterpret what they see. This can introduce bias into the observations and potentially impact the accuracy of the findings. It is important for researchers to be aware of their own biases and strive to minimize their influence when conducting ethnographic studies. Choice B is incorrect because ethnographic methods actually aim to provide rich information on how individuals behave within their cultural contexts. Choice C is incorrect as ethnographic methods typically involve direct observation and participation rather than unobtrusive techniques like surveillance cameras. Choice D is incorrect because one of the strengths of ethnographic research is its ability to uncover the reasoning behind participants' responses by immersing the researcher in the cultural setting.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Dr. Dias's research findings indicate a correlation between the death of a spouse and a decline in the surviving partner's physical health. This correlation suggests a relationship between the two variables, but it does not necessarily imply a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Therefore, the correct conclusion supported by this study is option B - 'The death of a spouse is related to a decline in the surviving partner's physical health.' Option A is too direct in its causation claim, which is not proven by correlation alone. Option C reverses the cause and effect relationship suggested by the research. Option D introduces an unrelated third variable, which is not supported by the study's findings.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In an experimental study examining whether the way angry encounters end affects children's emotional reactions, the dependent variable would be the children's emotional reactions. The dependent variable is the outcome being measured or tested in an experiment. In this study, the researchers are trying to understand how the way angry encounters end influences children's emotions. Therefore, the emotional reactions of the children would be the dependent variable that is being studied and measured in relation to the way angry encounters end. Choices A, B, and C are not the dependent variable in this scenario. While they may be related factors, the main focus of the study is on how the way angry encounters end impacts children's emotional reactions, making children's emotional reactions the dependent variable.