Certified Prevention Professional (CPP) Practice Exam

What is one method for conducting surveys?

1. In-person interviews

2. Standardized paper/pencil questionnaires

3. Community forums

4. Focus groups

The correct answer is: Standardized paper/pencil questionnaires

Using standardized paper/pencil questionnaires is a well-established method for conducting surveys due to its structured approach, which allows researchers to collect data consistently across respondents. This technique is beneficial because it can reach a large audience efficiently, allowing for quantitative analysis of responses. Standardized questionnaires ensure that each participant receives the same set of questions in the same order, which helps in minimizing variability in the data collection process. This consistency makes it easier to analyze results and compare data across different demographics or time periods, enhancing the reliability and validity of the findings. In contrast, methods like in-person interviews, community forums, and focus groups, while valuable in their own right, introduce various biases and limitations. For example, in-person interviews may lead to interviewer bias or be limited in reach due to logistical constraints. Community forums can foster open discussions but may not capture individual responses for quantitative analysis. Focus groups encourage interaction but can often lead to dominant voices influencing the opinions and responses of quieter participants, which can skew the data collected. By utilizing standardized paper/pencil questionnaires, researchers can gather a broad range of data that is comparable and conducive to statistical analysis, making this approach particularly effective for survey-based research.