CITI RESEARCH METHODS
PRACTICE TEST
COMPLETE 178
QUESTIONS
Question 1: A research team wants to determine whether a new tutoring program
improves �rst-year students' exam scores. Which statement is the best research question?
Choices:
1) Among �rst-year students, does participation in the new tutoring program improve end-of- term exam scores compared with usual academic support?2) Does tutoring matter?3) Why do some students dislike tutoring?4) Is education important for society?Correct Answer: Among �rst-year students, does participation in the new tutoring program improve end-of-term exam scores compared with usual academic support?Explanation: A strong research question identi�es the population, exposure or intervention, comparison, and measurable outcome. The second option speci�es all of these elements.Page 1
Question 2: Which statement best distinguishes a research hypothesis from a
research question?
Choices:
1) A hypothesis is written only after data analysis, whereas a research question is written only after publication.2) A hypothesis proposes a testable relationship or expected outcome, whereas a research question identi�es what the study seeks to answer.3) A hypothesis must always be qualitative, whereas a research question must always be quantitative.4) There is no meaningful di�erence between a hypothesis and a research question.Correct Answer: A hypothesis proposes a testable relationship or expected outcome, whereas a research question identi�es what the study seeks to answer.Explanation: A research question frames the inquiry, while a hypothesis states a testable prediction about the relationship among variables.Question 3: In a study testing whether ca�eine a�ects reaction time, what is the null hypothesis?
Choices:
1) Ca�eine always improves reaction time.2) Reaction time causes ca�eine consumption.3) Ca�eine has no e�ect on mean reaction time in the population being studied.4) Only very high ca�eine doses a�ect reaction time.Correct Answer: Ca�eine has no e�ect on mean reaction time in the population being studied.Explanation: The null hypothesis generally states that there is no association, di�erence, or e�ect in the population.Page 2
Question 4: A researcher de�nes medication adherence as the percentage of prescribed doses recorded as taken by an electronic pill container. This is an
example of:
Choices:
1) Randomization 2) Blinding 3) Strati�cation 4) Operationalization
Correct Answer: Operationalization
Explanation: Operationalization converts an abstract construct such as adherence into a speci�c measurable variable.Question 5: What is the main purpose of a literature review before �nalizing a study protocol?
Choices:
1) To identify what is already known, re�ne the research question, and justify the proposed study 2) To guarantee statistically signi�cant results 3) To replace the need for data collection 4) To determine the �nal journal that must publish the study Correct Answer: To identify what is already known, re�ne the research question, and justify the proposed study Explanation: A literature review establishes the existing evidence base, identi�es gaps, and helps re�ne methods and hypotheses.Page 3