LPC Research and Program Evaluation 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A counselor researcher uses purposive sampling. This means participants were selected because:
- Every member of the population had an equal chance of selection
- They were conveniently available at the time of data collection
- They possess specific characteristics relevant to the research question (Correct answer)
- Their names were drawn randomly from a list
Correct answer: They possess specific characteristics relevant to the research question
Purposive sampling intentionally selects participants based on particular characteristics or experiences relevant to the study's purpose.
Question 2: Which statistic is MOST appropriate when a researcher wants to examine the relationship between two continuous variables, such as number of counseling sessions and score on a depression scale?
- Chi-square test of independence
- Independent samples t-test
- Pearson product-moment correlation (Correct answer)
- One-way ANOVA
Correct answer: Pearson product-moment correlation
Pearson correlation is designed to measure the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two continuous variables.
Question 3: The concept of 'bracketing' in phenomenological research requires the researcher to:
- Code data into themes using a predetermined framework
- Set aside personal biases and assumptions before analyzing participants' experiences (Correct answer)
- Return transcripts to participants for verification
- Use multiple coders to establish inter-rater agreement
Correct answer: Set aside personal biases and assumptions before analyzing participants' experiences
Bracketing (epoché) asks the phenomenological researcher to consciously suspend prior knowledge and assumptions to encounter the phenomenon as described by participants.
Question 4: An LPC evaluating a career counseling program finds that participants who chose to enroll scored higher on pre-test motivation than those who did not. This is BEST described as:
- Experimenter bias
- Selection bias threatening internal validity (Correct answer)
- Attrition bias
- Instrumentation threat
Correct answer: Selection bias threatening internal validity
Selection bias occurs when pre-existing differences between groups—not the intervention—may explain outcome differences, threatening internal validity.
Question 5: A researcher calculates Cronbach's alpha of 0.87 for a new counseling self-efficacy scale. This value PRIMARILY indicates:
- The scale measures the correct construct
- Items on the scale are internally consistent with one another (Correct answer)
- The scale produces stable scores over time
- The scale correlates well with an external criterion measure
Correct answer: Items on the scale are internally consistent with one another
Cronbach's alpha is a measure of internal consistency reliability, reflecting the degree to which scale items correlate with each other.
Question 6: In evidence-based practice, a counselor integrating research evidence with clinical expertise and client values is following which model?
- The scientist-practitioner model exclusively
- The Boulder model of pure research
- The APA evidence-based practice in psychology (EBPP) model (Correct answer)
- The treatment manual fidelity model
Correct answer: The APA evidence-based practice in psychology (EBPP) model
The EBPP model explicitly calls for integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient characteristics, values, and preferences.
Question 7: A counselor researcher finds that 15% of participants dropped out of the study before completion. The MAIN concern this raises is:
- Reduced external validity due to a biased sampling frame
- Attrition bias, which may make the remaining sample unrepresentative (Correct answer)
- Increased Type I error due to a smaller sample
- Violation of the principle of beneficence
Correct answer: Attrition bias, which may make the remaining sample unrepresentative
Attrition (participant dropout) threatens internal validity because those who leave may differ systematically from those who remain, biasing results.
LPC Research and Program Evaluation 5
A counselor researcher uses purposive sampling.
This means participants were selected because: