Study Design
What is the main difference between a true experiment and a quasi-experiment?
A true experiment includes random assignment; a quasi-experiment does not.
What does IRB stand for
Institutional Review Board
What type of reliability measures consistency across raters?
Inter-rater reliability.
What is the p-value threshold commonly used to determine significance?
0.05
What are the three components of EBP?
Clinical expertise, best research evidence, and client values/preferences.
Describe a cross-sectional study
A cross-sectional study examines different groups at one point in time.
Why is IRB important
it protects the rights and welfare of research participants
Define internal validity
Internal validity is the extent to which a study shows that the independent variable caused the effect.
What does descriptive statistics aim to do?
summarize data
Why is client preference an important part of EBP?
It ensures that treatment aligns with the individual’s goals, culture, and values, leading to better outcomes.
What is a control group
A control group does not receive the experimental treatment; it provides a baseline for comparison to assess the effect of the independent variable.
Name two elements of informed consent in research
Voluntary participation and understanding of risks/benefits.
Give an example of a threat to internal validity
Maturation, Instrumentation, Statistical Regression, Selection, Attrition, Experimenter Bias
What does inferential statistics aim to do?
make predictions or generalizations from data.
What is the difference between efficacy and effectiveness?
Efficacy = how well something works in controlled settings; effectiveness = how well it works in real-world conditions.
What is a longitudinal study? Give an example related to language development.
A study that follows the same participants over time. Example: Tracking vocabulary growth in children from age 2 to 6.
When is parental consent and child assent required in research?
In studies involving minors. Parents provide consent; children must also assent if they are capable of understanding.
What is test-retest reliability?
The consistency of a measure when administered to the same people at two different times.
What’s the difference between mean, median, and mode?
Mean: average; Median: middle score; Mode: most frequent score.
How can a clinician stay current with evidence-based practices?
By reading peer-reviewed journals, attending conferences, and participating in continuing education.
Define independent and dependent variables. Provide an example.
The independent variable is manipulated; the dependent variable is measured. Example: In a study of therapy type on stuttering, therapy type = independent, stuttering frequency = dependent.
Why is confidentiality important in research, and how can it be protected?
Confidentiality protects participants' private information. It can be maintained through data anonymization, secure storage, and limiting access to identifiable information.
How is construct validity different from content validity?
Construct validity refers to how well a test measures the concept it’s intended to. Content validity evaluates whether the test covers all aspects of the construct.
What does a correlation coefficient (r) tell you?
The strength and direction of the relationship between two variables (e.g., r = +0.8 is a strong positive correlation).
How can a clinician integrate evidence-based practice when high-quality research on a specific disorder is limited?
By combining the best available evidence (even if limited), clinical expertise, and the individual client's values and preferences to guide decision-making.