Research and Program Evaluation Flashcards
7 cards from real NCMHCE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Research and Program Evaluation flashcards as text
A researcher asks participants to rate their own mental health on a 1-10 scale before and after counseling. What is the primary measurement concern with this approach?
Answer: Social desirability bias inflating self-reported improvement
Self-report scales are particularly vulnerable to social desirability bias, where participants rate themselves more positively to appear well-adjusted.
In qualitative research, which technique involves returning transcripts or summaries to participants so they can verify accuracy?
Answer: Member checking
Member checking (respondent validation) involves sharing findings with participants to confirm the researcher's interpretations are accurate.
A program evaluator wants to understand the day-to-day operations of a crisis hotline to identify implementation barriers. Which evaluation approach is most fitting?
Answer: Process evaluation examining program activities and fidelity
Process evaluation examines how a program is implemented, its activities, and fidelity to the original design, identifying operational barriers.
Which of the following is the correct sequence in the research process?
Answer: Research question → Literature review → Methodology → Data collection → Analysis
The standard research sequence begins with a question, situates it in existing literature, selects a methodology, collects data, and then analyzes results.
A counseling agency uses program outcome data showing reduced client symptom scores to justify continued funding to a state board. This is an example of which evaluation purpose?
Answer: Accountability evaluation for stakeholder reporting
Accountability evaluation uses outcome data to demonstrate program effectiveness to funders, policymakers, or oversight bodies.
A researcher studying trauma uses grounded theory methodology. Data collection stops when new interviews no longer produce new themes. This is called:
Answer: Theoretical saturation
Theoretical saturation in grounded theory is the point at which additional data no longer generate new categories or modify existing theory.
When interpreting a correlation coefficient of r = -0.72 between counselor burnout scores and client satisfaction ratings, a counselor-researcher should conclude:
Answer: There is a strong negative relationship, but causation cannot be inferred
A correlation of -0.72 reflects a strong negative association, but correlational designs cannot establish causation due to potential confounders.