NCT Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 3

Question 1

A fleet technician notes that fuel efficiency has dropped 15% over six months across 40 vehicles. To investigate the root cause, the FIRST step in an evidence-based approach is to:

Accepted Answer

Define the problem clearly and gather relevant historical data

Answer

Evidence-based problem-solving begins with clearly defining the problem and systematically collecting relevant data before implementing solutions.

Question 2

In fleet research, a 'confounding variable' is best described as:

Accepted Answer

An extraneous variable that influences both the independent and dependent variables

Answer

A confounding variable is an outside factor that correlates with both the cause and effect, potentially distorting study conclusions.

Question 3

Which type of chart is most effective for displaying the distribution of vehicle repair costs across different cost ranges?

Accepted Answer

Histogram

Answer

A histogram displays the frequency distribution of continuous data like repair costs across defined intervals, making it ideal for this purpose.

Question 4

Evidence-based practice in fleet management requires that decisions be based primarily on:

Accepted Answer

Best available research evidence combined with operational expertise and data

Answer

Evidence-based practice integrates the best available research, operational expertise, and real-world data to guide fleet management decisions.

Question 5

A fleet manager uses a Pareto chart to analyze vehicle defect types. The primary purpose of this chart is to:

Accepted Answer

Identify the few defect categories responsible for the majority of problems

Answer

A Pareto chart applies the 80/20 rule, highlighting the defect categories that account for most of the total defects so efforts can be prioritized.

(NCT) NAFA Certified Technician Practice Test

(NCT) NAFA Certified Technician Practice Test

NCT Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 3