Chemical Dependency Counselor CCDC Exam Research & Evidence-Based Practice 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a research study with a p-value of 0.03, this means:
- There is a 3% chance the null hypothesis is true
- There is a 3% probability the results occurred by chance if the null hypothesis were true (Correct answer)
- The effect size is small
- The study had a 97% success rate
Correct answer: There is a 3% probability the results occurred by chance if the null hypothesis were true
A p-value of 0.03 means there is a 3% probability of obtaining results at least as extreme as observed, assuming the null hypothesis is true.
Question 2: Motivational Interviewing (MI) is best categorized in research literature as:
- An evidence-based practice with strong RCT support (Correct answer)
- An experimental treatment lacking empirical support
- A theoretical model with no clinical application
- A pharmacological intervention
Correct answer: An evidence-based practice with strong RCT support
MI has extensive RCT support demonstrating effectiveness across multiple substance use and behavior change populations.
Question 3: A substance use counselor notices their program's relapse rate is higher than published benchmarks. The BEST next step is to:
- Ignore the data as population differences explain it
- Conduct a program evaluation to identify contributing factors (Correct answer)
- Immediately change all treatment protocols
- Dismiss the benchmark as inapplicable
Correct answer: Conduct a program evaluation to identify contributing factors
A program evaluation systematically examines processes and outcomes to identify areas needing improvement.
Question 4: Which principle distinguishes a quasi-experimental design from a true experiment?
- Use of quantitative data
- Absence of random assignment (Correct answer)
- Lack of a research question
- Use of a control group
Correct answer: Absence of random assignment
Quasi-experimental designs lack random assignment, limiting causal inferences compared to true experiments.
Question 5: Cultural adaptations of evidence-based treatments (EBTs) are important because:
- They replace the need for core therapeutic components
- They improve engagement and outcomes in diverse populations (Correct answer)
- They require completely new efficacy trials
- They are mandated by SAMHSA for all programs
Correct answer: They improve engagement and outcomes in diverse populations
Culturally adapted EBTs maintain core components while adjusting surface features to improve relevance and effectiveness for specific groups.
Question 6: The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) measures:
- Only the severity of alcohol use
- Problem severity across seven life domains (Correct answer)
- A client's readiness to change
- Neurobiological markers of dependence
Correct answer: Problem severity across seven life domains
The ASI is a structured interview assessing problem severity in seven domains: medical, employment, alcohol, drug, legal, family/social, and psychiatric.
Question 7: When reviewing a research study, 'internal validity' refers to:
- Whether findings apply to other populations
- The degree to which the study accurately measures what it claims to measure (Correct answer)
- Consistency of results across multiple studies
- The reliability of the measurement tool
Correct answer: The degree to which the study accurately measures what it claims to measure
Internal validity refers to whether the study design supports a causal conclusion about the relationship between variables studied.
Chemical Dependency Counselor CCDC Exam Research & Evidence-Based Practice 3
In a research study with a p-value of 0.03, this means: