NCMHCE Research and Program Evaluation 5

Question 1

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?

Accepted Answer

Social desirability bias inflating self-reported improvement

Answer

Lack of construct validity

Answer

Insufficient statistical power

Answer

Violation of random assignment

Question 2

In qualitative research, which technique involves returning transcripts or summaries to participants so they can verify accuracy?

Accepted Answer

Member checking

Answer

Triangulation

Answer

Thick description

Answer

Theoretical saturation

Question 3

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?

Accepted Answer

Process evaluation examining program activities and fidelity

Answer

Outcome evaluation using standardized scales

Answer

Cost-benefit analysis comparing program expenditures to outcomes

Answer

Meta-analysis of published hotline studies

Question 4

Which of the following is the correct sequence in the research process?

Accepted Answer

Research question → Literature review → Methodology → Data collection → Analysis

Answer

Data collection → Literature review → Research question → Data analysis

Answer

Methodology → Research question → Data collection → Literature review

Answer

Literature review → Data analysis → Research question → Methodology

Question 5

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?

Accepted Answer

Accountability evaluation for stakeholder reporting

Answer

Formative evaluation for program improvement

Answer

Exploratory research for hypothesis generation

Answer

Developmental evaluation for adaptive management

Question 6

A researcher studying trauma uses grounded theory methodology. Data collection stops when new interviews no longer produce new themes. This is called:

Accepted Answer

Theoretical saturation

Answer

Purposive saturation

Answer

Data triangulation

Answer

Confirmability

Question 7

When interpreting a correlation coefficient of r = -0.72 between counselor burnout scores and client satisfaction ratings, a counselor-researcher should conclude:

Accepted Answer

There is a strong negative relationship, but causation cannot be inferred

Answer

Burnout causes lower client satisfaction

Answer

The relationship is weak and clinically insignificant

Answer

The negative sign indicates a data entry error