Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice Flashcards
7 cards from real ICF practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice flashcards as text
Which research method involves systematically reviewing and statistically combining results from multiple independent studies on the same coaching topic?
Answer: Meta-analysis
Meta-analysis aggregates quantitative findings from multiple studies to produce a more precise overall estimate of an intervention's effect.
A coach wants to assess whether their new leadership coaching program works before rolling it out organization-wide. The most rigorous approach would be:
Answer: Running a pilot randomized controlled trial with a control group
A randomized controlled trial with a control group provides the highest level of causal evidence for whether an intervention produces the intended outcomes.
In action research as applied to coaching practice, the coach-researcher typically:
Answer: Cycles through planning, acting, observing, and reflecting to improve practice
Action research uses iterative cycles of planning, action, observation, and reflection to generate practical knowledge and improve professional practice.
Which of the following best illustrates 'transferability' in qualitative coaching research?
Answer: Thick, rich descriptions allow readers to judge whether findings apply to their own context
Transferability in qualitative research relies on providing detailed context so readers can make informed judgments about applicability to their own situations.
When an ICF coach critically appraises a research article, which question addresses the study's internal validity?
Answer: Did the study control for alternative explanations of the outcomes?
Internal validity asks whether the study design adequately rules out confounding variables so the intervention can be credited with causing the observed outcomes.
A coaching researcher uses member checking to strengthen their study. This involves:
Answer: Sharing interpretations and findings with participants to confirm accuracy
Member checking enhances credibility in qualitative research by returning findings to participants to verify that their experiences have been accurately represented.
Which of the following represents the LOWEST level in a typical evidence hierarchy for coaching research?
Answer: Expert opinion or anecdotal case reports
Expert opinion and anecdotal case reports sit at the bottom of the evidence hierarchy because they are most susceptible to bias and least controlled.