Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice Flashcards

When analyzing fleet maintenance data to identify trends, which statistical measure best describes the typical repair cost per vehicle?

Answer: Mean

The mean (average) repair cost per vehicle is the most common measure used to describe typical costs in fleet maintenance analysis.

A fleet manager wants to determine whether a new preventive maintenance schedule reduces breakdowns. What type of study design best supports this causal conclusion?

Answer: Controlled before-and-after comparison

A controlled before-and-after comparison allows the fleet manager to attribute changes in breakdowns directly to the new maintenance schedule.

In evidence-based fleet management, 'benchmarking' primarily involves:

Answer: Comparing your fleet's performance metrics against industry standards or peer organizations

Benchmarking compares a fleet's key performance indicators to industry standards or similar organizations to identify gaps and opportunities.

Which data source would provide the most reliable evidence for evaluating long-term vehicle reliability?

Answer: Fleet management system historical records

Fleet management system historical records contain objective, longitudinal data on actual vehicle performance and maintenance history.

A technician reviews three separate studies on brake pad longevity, each reaching different conclusions. The best evidence-based approach is to:

Answer: Conduct a meta-analysis or systematic review of all three studies

A systematic review or meta-analysis synthesizes findings from multiple studies to reach a more reliable overall conclusion.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis in fleet management is best described as:

Answer: A calculation of all costs associated with acquiring, operating, maintaining, and disposing of a vehicle

TCO encompasses all lifecycle costs—acquisition, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and disposal—providing a complete financial picture for fleet decisions.

When collecting data on vehicle downtime, which sampling approach ensures every vehicle has an equal chance of being included in the analysis?

Answer: Simple random sampling

Simple random sampling gives every vehicle an equal probability of selection, minimizing selection bias in the dataset.