CPSS Applied Research Methods 5

Question 1

Which research design is best suited to studying the long-term effects of youth sport specialization on adult injury rates?

Accepted Answer

Prospective longitudinal cohort study

Answer

A prospective longitudinal cohort study follows participants over time, making it ideal for examining how early exposures relate to long-term outcomes.

Question 2

When a questionnaire consistently measures stress but does not actually capture recovery status, which psychometric issue is present?

Accepted Answer

Low construct validity

Answer

The questionnaire is reliable (consistent) but lacks construct validity because it does not measure the intended theoretical construct (recovery).

Question 3

A practical significance threshold expressed as a proportion of the population standard deviation is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Standardized effect size

Answer

Standardized effect sizes (e.g., Cohen's d) express differences in units of the standard deviation, enabling practical interpretation independent of measurement scale.

Question 4

In a between-subjects ANOVA, which post-hoc test is most appropriate when group sample sizes are unequal?

Accepted Answer

Games-Howell test

Answer

The Games-Howell test does not assume equal variances or equal sample sizes, making it the preferred post-hoc test for unbalanced designs.

Question 5

A CPSS practitioner asks athletes to self-report session RPE 30 minutes after each training session. Which construct validity concern is most relevant?

Accepted Answer

Recall bias may distort the accuracy of RPE reports

Answer

Delayed RPE collection introduces recall bias, as athletes' memory of perceived exertion may be influenced by subsequent recovery or reflection.

CPSS - Certified Performance and Sport Scientist Practice Test

CPSS - Certified Performance and Sport Scientist Practice Test

CPSS Applied Research Methods 5