CSP Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The RESA (Real Estate Staging Association) Consumer Guide statistics are gathered primarily through:
- U.S. Census Bureau housing surveys
- Member-submitted project data and client outcome reports (Correct answer)
- Random sampling of all U.S. real estate transactions
- Federal Housing Administration loan records
Correct answer: Member-submitted project data and client outcome reports
RESA collects staging outcome data from member stagers who voluntarily submit project results, which means the sample reflects RESA-affiliated professionals.
Question 2: A stager compares two neighborhoods: one with average DOM of 14 days and one with 45 days. To determine if staging explains the difference, the most critical next step is:
- Calculate the average listing price in each neighborhood
- Control for market conditions, price tier, and staging rates in each area (Correct answer)
- Interview the listing agents in both neighborhoods
- Count the number of open houses held per listing
Correct answer: Control for market conditions, price tier, and staging rates in each area
Without controlling for confounding factors like price tier and local market activity, the DOM difference cannot be attributed to staging.
Question 3: Which type of study would provide the highest level of evidence for staging's effect on sale price?
- Expert opinion from a top stager
- A single-subject case study
- A randomized controlled trial assigning homes to staged vs. unstaged groups (Correct answer)
- A cross-sectional survey of buyer preferences
Correct answer: A randomized controlled trial assigning homes to staged vs. unstaged groups
Randomized controlled trials sit at the top of the evidence hierarchy because random assignment eliminates selection bias and isolates the treatment effect.
Question 4: A buyer preference survey asks: 'Don't you agree that clutter-free homes are more appealing?' This question is an example of:
- A Likert-scale item
- A leading question that introduces response bias (Correct answer)
- A valid closed-ended research question
- A projective measurement technique
Correct answer: A leading question that introduces response bias
Leading questions suggest a desired answer and inflate agreement rates, compromising the validity of the survey data.
Question 5: Which data source provides the most geographically specific evidence for how staging affects sale prices in a stager's local market?
- National NAR staging statistics
- Local MLS comparable sales filtered by staged vs. unstaged properties (Correct answer)
- International staging association white papers
- Zillow national median home price reports
Correct answer: Local MLS comparable sales filtered by staged vs. unstaged properties
Local MLS data reflects the actual transactions in the stager's market, making it the most relevant and specific evidence for local pricing decisions.
Question 6: In evidence-based staging practice, 'external validity' refers to:
- Whether a study used an outside research firm
- The degree to which findings can be generalized to other markets or situations (Correct answer)
- The accuracy of the statistical calculations in a report
- Whether the study was peer-reviewed by an external body
Correct answer: The degree to which findings can be generalized to other markets or situations
External validity asks whether research findings apply beyond the specific sample studied, such as whether results from luxury homes also hold for starter homes.
Question 7: A stager notices that every time she uses neutral gray walls, homes sell quickly. This observation is best described as:
- A confirmed causal relationship between gray walls and fast sales
- An anecdotal pattern that warrants systematic investigation (Correct answer)
- A statistically significant finding based on professional experience
- Definitive evidence for recommending gray to all clients
Correct answer: An anecdotal pattern that warrants systematic investigation
Personal observations create hypotheses worth testing systematically, but without controls or comparison groups, causation cannot be confirmed.
CSP Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 3
The RESA (Real Estate Staging Association) Consumer Guide statistics are gathered primarily through: