HSP Research and Scientific Foundations 2

Question 1

A researcher wants to determine if a new CBT protocol causes greater symptom reduction than treatment-as-usual. Which design best establishes causality?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessment

Answer

Randomized controlled trials with blinded assessment are the gold standard for establishing causal relationships between interventions and outcomes.

Question 2

In a factor analysis of a new psychological measure, a scree plot shows a clear break after the second eigenvalue. What does this suggest?

Accepted Answer

Two factors best explain the variance in the data

Answer

A scree plot break after the second eigenvalue indicates that two factors account for meaningful variance, supporting a two-factor solution.

Question 3

A health psychologist is reviewing a study reporting p = .049 for a primary outcome. Which statement best reflects current scientific standards?

Accepted Answer

Statistical significance alone does not confirm clinical meaningfulness

Answer

A p-value near the threshold indicates statistical significance but must be evaluated alongside effect size and clinical meaningfulness.

Question 4

Which type of validity is assessed when a new depression scale correlates strongly with a well-established depression measure?

Accepted Answer

Concurrent criterion validity

Answer

Concurrent criterion validity is demonstrated when a new measure correlates with an established gold-standard measure administered at the same time.

Question 5

A systematic review uses the GRADE framework. What does a 'low quality' GRADE rating primarily indicate?

Accepted Answer

There is little confidence that the evidence reflects the true effect

Answer

A 'low' GRADE rating means further research is very likely to change confidence in the estimate of effect.

(HSP) Certified Health Service Psychologist Practice Test

(HSP) Certified Health Service Psychologist Practice Test

HSP Research and Scientific Foundations 2