MC Research Methods and Program Evaluation

Question 1

In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), participants are assigned to treatment or control groups using random assignment primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Control for confounding variables and establish causality

Answer

Random assignment distributes known and unknown confounds equally across groups, allowing researchers to attribute outcome differences to the treatment itself.

Question 2

A researcher studying the effectiveness of CBT for depression uses the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression as the outcome measure. This scale represents a:

Accepted Answer

Dependent variable

Answer

The outcome measure — the rating scale score — is the dependent variable because it is the factor being measured to assess the effect of the intervention.

Question 3

Which research design is most appropriate when a counselor wants to track the same group of clients' mental health outcomes over a period of five years?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal study

Answer

A longitudinal study follows the same participants over time, allowing researchers to observe changes and development within individuals across years.

Question 4

In counseling research, 'internal validity' refers to the degree to which:

Accepted Answer

The intervention caused the observed outcome

Answer

Internal validity concerns whether the independent variable (treatment) truly caused changes in the dependent variable, ruling out alternative explanations.

Question 5

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) exists in research settings primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Ensure ethical treatment of human research participants

Answer

IRBs review research protocols to protect human participants from harm, ensure informed consent, and maintain ethical standards in research.

MC - Master of Counseling Practice Test

MC - Master of Counseling Practice Test

MC Research Methods and Program Evaluation