Q.1 Which research design is best suited for studying changes in counseling outcomes over time?
Cross-sectional
Longitudinal
Experimental
Case study
Explanation - Longitudinal designs follow the same subjects over time, allowing researchers to observe changes in counseling outcomes.
Correct answer is: Longitudinal
Q.2 In counseling research, what is the primary purpose of a control group?
To provide additional participants
To receive the experimental treatment
To serve as a baseline for comparison
To generate qualitative data
Explanation - A control group does not receive the experimental treatment, allowing researchers to compare outcomes against the treatment group.
Correct answer is: To serve as a baseline for comparison
Q.3 Which of the following is a qualitative research method commonly used in counseling psychology?
Randomized controlled trial
Survey
Case study
Meta-analysis
Explanation - Case studies involve an in-depth exploration of a single individual or group, commonly used in qualitative counseling research.
Correct answer is: Case study
Q.4 What does validity in research refer to?
The consistency of a measure
The accuracy of a measure
The size of the sample
The type of statistical test used
Explanation - Validity indicates whether a research instrument or study measures what it is intended to measure.
Correct answer is: The accuracy of a measure
Q.5 Which type of sampling involves every member of a population having an equal chance of being selected?
Convenience sampling
Purposive sampling
Random sampling
Snowball sampling
Explanation - Random sampling ensures each member of the population has an equal chance of selection, reducing selection bias.
Correct answer is: Random sampling
Q.6 A researcher wants to examine the effect of a new counseling technique on anxiety levels. What is the independent variable?
Participant anxiety levels
Counseling technique
Number of sessions attended
Age of participants
Explanation - The independent variable is what the researcher manipulates, in this case, the type of counseling technique.
Correct answer is: Counseling technique
Q.7 Which type of reliability assesses the consistency of a measure across different items within the same test?
Test-retest reliability
Inter-rater reliability
Internal consistency
Split-half reliability
Explanation - Internal consistency measures whether multiple items intended to assess the same construct produce similar results.
Correct answer is: Internal consistency
Q.8 Which of the following is an ethical consideration in counseling research?
Using a small sample
Providing incentives
Obtaining informed consent
Publishing in peer-reviewed journals
Explanation - Ethical research requires that participants are fully informed about the study and voluntarily agree to participate.
Correct answer is: Obtaining informed consent
Q.9 In experimental research, what does random assignment help to ensure?
Validity of the measures
Equivalence of groups at baseline
Large sample size
Generalizability of findings
Explanation - Random assignment helps create comparable groups, reducing bias and improving the internal validity of the study.
Correct answer is: Equivalence of groups at baseline
Q.10 Which type of research is primarily focused on understanding participants’ lived experiences?
Quantitative
Qualitative
Experimental
Correlational
Explanation - Qualitative research emphasizes exploring subjective experiences and meanings rather than numerical data.
Correct answer is: Qualitative
Q.11 Which statistical test is appropriate for examining the relationship between two continuous variables in counseling research?
Chi-square test
T-test
Pearson correlation
ANOVA
Explanation - Pearson correlation measures the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two continuous variables.
Correct answer is: Pearson correlation
Q.12 What is a major limitation of case study research?
High cost
Limited generalizability
Requires large samples
Difficult to analyze data
Explanation - Case studies provide in-depth information about individuals but findings may not apply to larger populations.
Correct answer is: Limited generalizability
Q.13 What is the main difference between descriptive and inferential statistics?
Descriptive statistics summarize data; inferential statistics make predictions
Descriptive statistics predict outcomes; inferential statistics summarize data
Both summarize data
Both make predictions
Explanation - Descriptive statistics describe data characteristics; inferential statistics allow researchers to draw conclusions or generalize findings.
Correct answer is: Descriptive statistics summarize data; inferential statistics make predictions
Q.14 Which method is used to minimize bias in self-reported counseling research data?
Random sampling
Anonymous surveys
Longitudinal design
Case study method
Explanation - Anonymous surveys encourage honesty, reducing social desirability bias in self-reports.
Correct answer is: Anonymous surveys
Q.15 A correlation of -0.85 between stress and life satisfaction indicates what?
No relationship
Positive relationship
Strong negative relationship
Weak negative relationship
Explanation - A negative correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other decreases. The magnitude (0.85) shows it is strong.
Correct answer is: Strong negative relationship
Q.16 Which term describes a variable that may interfere with or influence the observed relationship between independent and dependent variables?
Independent variable
Dependent variable
Confounding variable
Control variable
Explanation - Confounding variables can distort the apparent effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable if not controlled.
Correct answer is: Confounding variable
Q.17 Which type of measurement scale involves categories with a natural order but unknown intervals between them?
Nominal
Ordinal
Interval
Ratio
Explanation - Ordinal scales rank order data, but the exact difference between ranks is not known.
Correct answer is: Ordinal
Q.18 What is triangulation in counseling research?
Using multiple researchers to collect data
Using multiple methods or sources to confirm findings
Repeating a study in a different population
Using large sample sizes for accuracy
Explanation - Triangulation enhances the credibility of research by cross-verifying results using different methods or data sources.
Correct answer is: Using multiple methods or sources to confirm findings
Q.19 Which research design is most effective for establishing cause-and-effect relationships in counseling?
Experimental
Correlational
Case study
Survey
Explanation - Experimental designs manipulate the independent variable and use control groups to establish causality.
Correct answer is: Experimental
Q.20 In counseling research, what is a Likert scale commonly used to measure?
Qualitative interviews
Behavior frequency
Attitudes or opinions
Physiological responses
Explanation - Likert scales ask participants to rate agreement or disagreement with statements, quantifying attitudes.
Correct answer is: Attitudes or opinions
Q.21 What does external validity refer to in counseling research?
The accuracy of the measurement tool
The ability to generalize findings beyond the study
The reliability of results
The significance of statistical tests
Explanation - External validity assesses whether research results can be applied to other settings, populations, or times.
Correct answer is: The ability to generalize findings beyond the study
Q.22 Which of the following best defines operationalization in research?
Selecting participants for the study
Defining how a concept will be measured
Collecting qualitative data
Choosing a statistical test
Explanation - Operationalization translates abstract concepts into measurable variables for research.
Correct answer is: Defining how a concept will be measured
Q.23 Which type of validity examines whether a measure appears effective in terms of its stated aims?
Construct validity
Face validity
Criterion validity
Internal validity
Explanation - Face validity refers to whether a measure seems appropriate 'on the face of it,' based on subjective judgment.
Correct answer is: Face validity
Q.24 A researcher uses existing data from hospital records to study counseling outcomes. This is an example of which type of data?
Primary data
Secondary data
Experimental data
Observational data
Explanation - Secondary data refers to data that was collected previously for another purpose but is reused for research.
Correct answer is: Secondary data
Q.25 Which term refers to the tendency of participants to provide socially desirable answers rather than truthful responses?
Response bias
Sampling error
Attrition
Confounding
Explanation - Response bias occurs when participants alter their responses to be viewed favorably, affecting research accuracy.
Correct answer is: Response bias