Research Methods Flashcards

A counselor researcher uses a snowball sampling strategy. The primary limitation of this approach is:

Answer: Participants are likely to refer others with similar characteristics, reducing diversity

Snowball sampling relies on referral chains, which tend to produce homogeneous samples and limit generalizability.

The standard error of the mean (SEM) decreases when:

Answer: The sample size increases

SEM equals the standard deviation divided by the square root of n, so larger samples yield smaller standard errors.

Grounded theory as a qualitative research method aims to:

Answer: Generate theory from systematically collected and analyzed data

Grounded theory inductively builds theory through iterative data collection and constant comparative analysis.

When evaluating a research instrument's reliability using the split-half method, which coefficient is typically used to correct for test length?

Answer: Spearman-Brown formula

The Spearman-Brown prophecy formula corrects the split-half reliability estimate upward to account for the full test length.

In a study comparing three or more group means simultaneously, the most appropriate parametric test is:

Answer: One-way ANOVA

One-way ANOVA tests for differences among three or more group means while controlling the family-wise error rate.

In evidence-based practice for rehabilitation counseling, a systematic review differs from a narrative review primarily because it:

Answer: Follows a pre-specified, reproducible protocol for searching and synthesizing literature

Systematic reviews use explicit, reproducible methods for literature searching and synthesis to minimize bias.

A researcher wants to ensure that an interview guide accurately represents all dimensions of the construct 'community integration.' The most relevant form of validity to establish is:

Answer: Content validity

Content validity evaluates whether the items adequately represent all facets of the construct being measured.