TCC Research Methods & Program Evaluation 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In counseling research, which type of validity refers to the extent to which a study's findings can be generalized to populations and settings beyond the original study?
- Internal validity
- External validity (Correct answer)
- Construct validity
- Content validity
Correct answer: External validity
External validity concerns the generalizability of research findings — whether results obtained from a specific sample in a specific setting apply to other populations, settings, and times.
Question 2: A Texas school counselor conducts a needs assessment by surveying students, teachers, and parents about concerns. This type of evaluation is best described as:
- Outcome evaluation
- Needs assessment (Correct answer)
- Process evaluation
- Cost-benefit analysis
Correct answer: Needs assessment
A needs assessment identifies discrepancies between current and desired conditions by gathering data from stakeholders, and is used to determine priorities for a counseling program.
Question 3: Which research design provides the strongest evidence of causality between a counseling intervention and client outcomes?
- Case study
- Correlational study
- Randomized controlled trial (RCT) (Correct answer)
- Retrospective survey
Correct answer: Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
A randomized controlled trial, in which participants are randomly assigned to treatment and control groups, provides the strongest evidence of causality by controlling for confounding variables.
Question 4: In the context of the ASCA National Model, what does 'accountability' specifically require school counselors to demonstrate?
- That they have completed the required continuing education hours
- The impact of their counseling program on student achievement and outcomes through data (Correct answer)
- That all students have been seen individually at least once per year
- That the school has adequate counselor-to-student ratios
Correct answer: The impact of their counseling program on student achievement and outcomes through data
ASCA's accountability component requires school counselors to collect and analyze data to demonstrate how the comprehensive school counseling program affects student academic achievement, attendance, and behavior outcomes.
Question 5: A counselor notes that clients who attend more sessions also show greater symptom reduction. This is an example of which type of correlation?
- Negative correlation
- Zero correlation
- Positive correlation (Correct answer)
- Causative correlation
Correct answer: Positive correlation
A positive correlation means that as one variable increases (number of sessions), the other variable also increases (symptom reduction), though correlation does not establish causation.
Question 6: Which ethical principle requires researchers in counseling to ensure that participants understand the nature, risks, and benefits of a study before agreeing to participate?
- Beneficence
- Justice
- Informed consent (Correct answer)
- Autonomy through debriefing
Correct answer: Informed consent
Informed consent is the ethical requirement that potential research participants receive full and understandable information about the study and voluntarily agree to participate without coercion.
TCC Research Methods & Program Evaluation 1
In counseling research, which type of validity refers to the extent to which a study's findings can be generalized to populations and settings beyond the original study?