MC Research Methods and Program Evaluation

Question 1

In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), participants are assigned to treatment or control groups using random assignment primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Control for confounding variables and establish causality

Answer

Ensure equal group sizes

Answer

Maximize recruitment efficiency

Answer

Reduce the cost of the study

Question 2

A researcher studying the effectiveness of CBT for depression uses the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression as the outcome measure. This scale represents a:

Accepted Answer

Dependent variable

Answer

Qualitative measure

Answer

Independent variable

Answer

Extraneous variable

Question 3

Which research design is most appropriate when a counselor wants to track the same group of clients' mental health outcomes over a period of five years?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal study

Answer

Cross-sectional study

Answer

Case study

Answer

Meta-analysis

Question 4

In counseling research, 'internal validity' refers to the degree to which:

Accepted Answer

The intervention caused the observed outcome

Answer

Results can be generalized to other populations

Answer

The study measures what it claims to measure

Answer

The measurement instrument is consistent

Question 5

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) exists in research settings primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure ethical treatment of human research participants

Answer

Fund research projects

Answer

Publish peer-reviewed findings

Answer

Train graduate research assistants

Question 6

A p-value of 0.03 in a counseling study means:

Accepted Answer

There is a 3% probability the results occurred by chance if the null hypothesis were true

Answer

There is a 3% chance the treatment is effective

Answer

The effect size is small

Answer

The results are not statistically significant