CEAC Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which study design is considered the gold standard for establishing cause-and-effect relationships in accessibility research?
- Cross-sectional survey
- Randomized controlled trial (RCT) (Correct answer)
- Case study
- Expert opinion panel
Correct answer: Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
RCTs randomly assign participants to conditions, controlling confounds and establishing causality better than other designs.
Question 2: A CEAC consultant reviews a study where 80% of participants reported improved mobility after a ramp installation. What type of data is this?
- Objective biomechanical data
- Normative data
- Self-reported subjective data (Correct answer)
- Epidemiological data
Correct answer: Self-reported subjective data
Participant-reported outcomes such as perceived improvement are classified as self-reported subjective data.
Question 3: When critically appraising an accessibility study, which element most directly indicates the internal validity of the findings?
- Sample size
- Control of confounding variables (Correct answer)
- Generalizability to other populations
- Publication journal impact factor
Correct answer: Control of confounding variables
Internal validity depends on how well confounding variables are controlled so observed effects can be attributed to the intervention.
Question 4: A consultant wants to identify all available evidence on door width standards for wheelchair users. Which approach is most appropriate?
- Reading one authoritative textbook
- Conducting a systematic literature review (Correct answer)
- Consulting a single expert
- Reviewing only peer-reviewed articles from the past year
Correct answer: Conducting a systematic literature review
A systematic literature review uses explicit, reproducible methods to identify and synthesize all relevant evidence on a topic.
Question 5: In evidence-based practice, after gathering research evidence, what is the next critical step before making an accessibility recommendation?
- Publish the findings
- Integrate evidence with client values and clinical expertise (Correct answer)
- Conduct another literature search
- Present findings to a peer review board
Correct answer: Integrate evidence with client values and clinical expertise
EBP requires integrating best available evidence with practitioner expertise and the client's individual values and circumstances.
Question 6: Which statistical measure is most useful for understanding the practical significance of a research finding in accessibility studies?
- p-value
- Sample mean
- Effect size (Correct answer)
- Standard deviation
Correct answer: Effect size
Effect size quantifies the magnitude of a difference or relationship, indicating practical significance beyond statistical significance.
Question 7: A CEAC consultant finds two studies with conflicting conclusions about grab bar placement. What is the best approach?
- Use the more recent study exclusively
- Apply the findings that align with current code
- Conduct a meta-analysis or consult a systematic review that synthesizes both (Correct answer)
- Defer to personal clinical experience only
Correct answer: Conduct a meta-analysis or consult a systematic review that synthesizes both
When studies conflict, consulting a meta-analysis or systematic review that synthesizes multiple studies provides the most reliable guidance.
CEAC Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 2
Which study design is considered the gold standard for establishing cause-and-effect relationships in accessibility research?