Counselor Education Comprehensive Exam (CECE) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a major type of research question?

1. a. informal research questions

2. b. relational research questions

3. c. descriptive research questions

4. d. causal research questions

The correct answer is: a. informal research questions

In the context of types of research questions, informal research questions do not align with the established categories typically recognized in academic and scientific inquiry. Major types of research questions are typically categorized as relational, descriptive, and causal. Relational research questions focus on the connections or relationships between two or more variables. These questions seek to understand how one variable may affect or be associated with another, often explored through correlational studies. Descriptive research questions aim to provide a detailed picture of a phenomenon or the characteristics of a particular group or situation. These questions often gather data that can describe behaviors, attitudes, or mental health status without making predictions or determining cause-and-effect relationships. Causal research questions, on the other hand, seek to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables. These questions are designed to determine whether one variable causes changes in another, typically investigated through experimental or quasi-experimental methods. Informal research questions, while they might guide initial inquiry or discussion, do not fit within these recognized categories, making them less formal and structured. Hence, identifying informal research questions as not being a major type of research question is accurate.