NCMHCE Research and Program Evaluation

Question 1

A counselor wants to determine whether a new CBT-based group therapy program is reducing depression symptoms compared to a waitlist control. Which research design is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Randomized controlled trial (RCT)

Answer

Case study design

Answer

Phenomenological study

Answer

Grounded theory study

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the concept of internal validity in counseling research?

Accepted Answer

The confidence that observed changes are due to the independent variable rather than extraneous factors

Answer

The degree to which findings can be generalized to other populations

Answer

The extent to which an instrument measures what it claims to measure

Answer

The consistency of results across repeated administrations of a measure

Question 3

A clinician reviews research showing that a therapy is effective across multiple randomized trials. Which level of evidence does this represent according to the evidence-based practice hierarchy?

Accepted Answer

Systematic review or meta-analysis of RCTs

Answer

Expert opinion and clinical experience

Answer

Single case experimental design

Answer

Descriptive cohort study

Question 4

When a researcher uses a p-value of .05 as the threshold for statistical significance, what is being controlled?

Accepted Answer

The probability of a Type I error

Answer

The probability of a Type II error

Answer

The statistical power of the study

Answer

The effect size of the intervention

Question 5

A researcher finds a statistically significant result (p < .01) but notes a very small effect size (d = .10). What is the most accurate interpretation?

Accepted Answer

The effect may be statistically significant but of limited practical or clinical significance

Answer

The treatment effect is both statistically and clinically meaningful

Answer

Statistical significance alone confirms practical importance of the findings

Answer

The result is likely a Type II error due to low power

Question 6

Which qualitative research approach involves exploring the lived experience of a phenomenon from the participant's perspective?

Accepted Answer

Phenomenology

Answer

Grounded theory

Answer

Ethnography

Answer

Case study

Question 7

A counseling program director wants to assess whether clients are achieving their individualized treatment goals. Which evaluation method is MOST directly aligned with this purpose?

Accepted Answer

Goal attainment scaling (GAS)

Answer

Needs assessment

Answer

Cost-benefit analysis

Answer

Fidelity assessment