CPCE Research & Program Evaluation 2

Question 1

A counselor wants to determine whether a new career counseling intervention caused a reduction in client anxiety. Which research design best establishes causality?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled trial with a control group

Answer

Correlational study with a large sample

Answer

Single-subject case study with repeated measures

Answer

Cross-sectional survey administered post-intervention

Question 2

In program evaluation, 'formative evaluation' is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Ongoing assessment used to improve a program while it is running

Answer

Assessing overall program outcomes after completion

Answer

Comparing two programs to determine which is more cost-effective

Answer

A needs assessment conducted before program implementation

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a Type II error in counseling research?

Accepted Answer

Failing to detect a real treatment effect that exists

Answer

Concluding an intervention is effective when it is not

Answer

Using an inappropriate statistical test for the data

Answer

Measuring the wrong construct with a validated instrument

Question 4

A school counselor collects data on student grades, attendance, and disciplinary referrals before and after implementing a social-emotional learning program. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Summative evaluation using archival data

Answer

Needs assessment using primary data sources

Answer

Process evaluation focusing on program fidelity

Answer

Cost-benefit analysis of counseling services

Question 5

When a researcher reports a statistically significant result with p < .05, this means:

Accepted Answer

The probability of obtaining results this extreme by chance alone is less than 5%

Answer

There is a 95% probability the intervention will work for all clients

Answer

The effect size is large enough to be clinically meaningful

Answer

The null hypothesis has been proven false with certainty

Question 6

Which sampling method would be MOST appropriate for studying a rare population, such as counselors who have experienced vicarious trauma?

Accepted Answer

Snowball sampling

Answer

Simple random sampling

Answer

Stratified random sampling

Answer

Systematic sampling

Question 7

A counselor evaluating a substance abuse prevention program finds it reduced use among participants but the effect did not generalize to the broader school population. This illustrates a threat to:

Accepted Answer

External validity (generalizability)

Answer

Internal validity

Answer

Statistical conclusion validity

Answer

Construct validity of the outcome measure