Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice Flashcards
7 cards from real CLS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice flashcards as text
Which type of study design allows a CLS to infer causation rather than mere correlation between a lubrication change and equipment outcome?
Answer: Controlled prospective experiment
Controlled prospective experiments with randomization and controls are the gold standard for establishing causal relationships.
A facility switches lubricants and bearing failures decrease. What additional evidence is needed before attributing the improvement to the lubricant change?
Answer: Ruling out confounding variables such as maintenance practice changes or operating condition shifts
Confounding variables must be ruled out before attributing an observed improvement to a specific change in lubrication.
In lubrication research literature, what does 'p < 0.05' signify?
Answer: There is less than a 5% probability the results occurred by chance
A p-value below 0.05 means there is less than a 5% probability that the observed difference is due to random variation.
Which organization publishes the most widely cited standardized test methods for evaluating lubricant performance properties?
Answer: ASTM International
ASTM International publishes the most widely used standardized test procedures for lubricant properties used globally.
What is the primary limitation of using 'time-in-service' as the sole criterion for oil change intervals?
Answer: It ignores actual lubricant condition, which can vary with load, temperature, and contamination
Time-based intervals do not account for real-world variation in lubricant degradation rates driven by operating conditions and contamination.
A CLS reviewing a technical paper notices the sample size is n=3. What concern does this raise?
Answer: The small sample size limits statistical power and generalizability of the conclusions
A very small sample size reduces statistical power and makes it difficult to draw reliable, generalizable conclusions.
Which concept describes the ability of a lubrication test method to produce the same result when repeated under identical conditions in the same lab?
Answer: Repeatability
Repeatability measures within-laboratory precision—how consistent results are when the same method is applied under identical conditions.