If research questions keep leaving you stuck between two answers, it’s usually not because you don’t recognize the terminology.

It’s because you’re not sure how to apply the concepts.

You may know what a randomized controlled trial, PICO, or validity means—but when those concepts appear in an NBCOT® exam question, it’s not always obvious what the exam is actually testing.

This guide helps you recognize the patterns behind research questions so they become easier to analyze and answer with confidence.

Inside you’ll find:

✅ 150+ OTR flashcards to strengthen recall of high-yield research concepts

✅ 50+ OTR practice questions designed to build clinical reasoning and application

✅ 10+ OTA practice questions covering the two research chapters relevant to the OTA exam

✅ Clear, simplified explanations of evidence-based practice, research design, statistics, reliability, validity, and research interpretation

Please Note: Research is tested much more extensively on the OTR® exam than the COTA® exam. Only two chapters in this guide are applicable to OTA students.

This guide helps you connect research to the exam—so research questions become clearer, more predictable, and easier to answer!