Research Chapter 1, 12
B
An unlikely outcome of scientific inquiry would include: a. identification of new research problems. b. implementation of a perfect research design. c. improved understanding of the real world. d. increased ability to predict and control outcomes in nursing practice.
B
Examining a quantitative study to determine the extent to which the researcher followed the "rules" for an ideal study is part of which of the following steps in the critique process? a. Analysis b. Comparison c. Comprehension d. Conceptual clustering
B
How is an intellectual critical appraisal different from other kinds of critiques? An intellectual critical appraisal: a. focuses on the strengths of the study rather than the negative components. b. is used to determine the quality of empirical evidence generated by studies. c. judges the researcher's ability to conduct the study. d. looks at both the work itself and the creator of the work.
C
If a reviewer is asking "Is the problem significant and relevant to nursing?", what part of the study is being critiqued? a. Literature review b. Research objectives, questions, or hypotheses c. Research problem and purpose d. Study framework
C
If a reviewer is asking "What implications do the findings have for practice?", which phase of the research critique is represented? a. Analysis b. Comparison c. Comprehension d. Evaluation
D
Research utilization is characterized by: a. a doctorally-prepared nurse directing a multisite study. b. complicated and sophisticated protocols for collecting empirical evidence. c. use of nursing research only by the nursing community. d. using research knowledge in practice to achieve the desired outcomes.
D
Which of the following would be considered level 1 research evidence when evaluating evidence for the establishment of IV site care and maintenance for a medical-surgical unit? a. Case study review of dressings used at a similar-sized hospital b. Expert opinion of best dressings used in hospital settings c. Quasi-experimental study evaluating types of dressings used at selected hospitals d. Randomized clinical trial study conducted on types of dressings used in hospital settings
B
A critical appraisal should be a/an: a. analysis of a study's internal validity problems. b. balanced appraisal of a study's strengths and weaknesses. c. criticism of the researcher's faulty decisions. d. inventory of problems in the study.
A
A critique of the logical links connecting one element with another in a quantitative study is part of which of the following steps in the critical appraisal process? a. Analysis b. Comparison c. Comprehension d. Evaluation
A, B, C, D
A doctoral-trained nurse is prepared to do which of the following? (Choose all that apply.) a. Coordinate research teams. b. Expand the basic body of nursing knowledge. c. Mentor other nurses in research. d. Seek and obtain grants.
A
A research study validates the positive effect that a nursing intervention, patient journaling, has on decreasing spiritual distress during cancer recovery. This would be an example of which type of research evidence? a. Control b. Description c. Explanation d. Prediction
D
A researcher conducted a very well-conceived and -implemented qualitative research study, but failed to link the findings to an area of nursing practice. What would the individual critiquing the study fault the researcher on? a. Auditability b. Descriptive vividness c. Heuristic relevance d. Clinical, policy & theoretical significance
B
A study was conducted to determine which palliative care measures patients prefer. Statistical analysis revealed that most of them ranked evening back rubs and calming music the highest in helpfulness. This research would most likely fall under which of the following categories? a. Qualitative research b. Quantitative research c. Outcomes research d. There is not enough information to answer this question.
B
Florence Nightingale is most noted for which of the following contributions to nursing research? a. Case study approach to research b. Data collection and analysis c. Framework and model development d. Quasi-experimental study design
D
Outcomes research in health care is oriented toward establishing: a. characteristics and description of nursing phenomena. b. critical indicators. c. predictive relationships. d. quality and effectiveness.
C
A hospital wishes to develop a new protocol for immediate postoperative recovery of trauma patients in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU). A team of nurses must be selected to comprise the group to develop the new protocol. Ideally the minimum educational preparation of the leader of their group should have earned a/an: a. Associate of Science in Nursing. b. Bachelor of Science in Nursing. c. Master of Science in Nursing. d. Doctorate in Nursing.
A
A major focus of nursing science during the 1970s was: a. communication of research findings. b. health care delivery. c. illness prevention. d. nursing education.
A
A nurse reviewing a research article on anxiety in new mothers notes that the researcher used the tool "worry assessment scale" to measure level of anxiety during the first 3 months of motherhood. The nurse questions the validity of this tool for measuring anxiety. Which phase of the critique process is she using? a. Analysis b. Comparison c. Comprehension d. Evaluation
B
A nurse who reads research articles and incorporates research findings into nursing practice would demonstrate which of the following research roles? a. Collaborator b. Consumer c. Primary investigator d. Producer
B
A research study investigating the benefits of ambulation after cesarean section would be an example of which type of research evidence? a. Control b. Description c. Explanation d. Prediction
B
A researcher explores the following question: Are there differences in energy expenditure between toileting in bed or out of bed in healthy adults and hospitalized patients? Which of the following is the dependent variable? a. Adult health status b. Energy expenditure c. Hospitalized patients d. Toileting method
A
A researcher explores the following question: Are there differences in energy expenditure between toileting in bed or out of bed in healthy adults and hospitalized patients? Which of the following is the independent variable? a. Adult health status b. Energy expenditure c. Toileting in bed d. Toileting out of bed
C
A researcher has obtained a sample of individuals who are HIV positive. Which of the following sampling methods would the reviewer expect to find elaborated in the research report? a. Accidental b. Cluster c. Network d. Simple random
A
As a research consumer reads through a research report, the logical flow and connection among the problem, purpose, and objectives are assessed. Which step of the critical appraisal process is described here? a. Analysis b. Comparison c. Comprehension d. Evaluation
C
Benner (1984) emphasizes the importance of acquiring clinical knowledge and expertise through: a. authorities. b. borrowing from other disciplines. c. personal experience. d. research.
A
Extraneous variables in a research study are best: a. identified by the researcher. b. identified by the reviewer. c. included in the analysis. d. left out of the critique.
C
Identification of the elements or steps of a quantitative study is part of which of the following steps in the critical appraisal process? a. Analysis b. Comparison c. Comprehension d. Evaluation
A
If a reviewer is asking "Are they sufficiently sensitive to detect differences between subjects?", what part of the study is being critiqued? a. Measurements b. Research objectives, questions, or hypotheses c. Study framework d. Variables
A
If a reviewer is asking "Does the summary of the current empirical and theoretical knowledge provide a basis for the study?", what part of the study is being critiqued? a. Literature review b. Research objectives, questions, or hypotheses c. Research problem and purpose d. Study framework
A
If a reviewer is asking "Is a means provided to examine all of the objectives, questions, or hypotheses and the study purpose?", what part of the study is being critiqued? a. Design b. Research objectives, questions, or hypotheses c. Research problem and purpose d. Study framework
D
If a reviewer is asking "Is it related to nursing's body of knowledge?", what part of the study is being critiqued? a. Literature review b. Research objectives, questions, or hypotheses c. Research problem and purpose d. Study framework
C
One major focus of nursing research during the 1980s was: a. communication of research findings. b. illness prevention. c. increased funding for nursing research. d. nurses' job satisfaction.
c
Quantitative and qualitative research approaches are particularly useful in nursing because they: a. are easy to implement. b. are process oriented. c. provide different views. d. require few resources.
C
The evaluation phase of the critical appraisal process reflects which key study characteristic relevant to implementation of the findings in practice? a. Internal validity b. Methodology c. Quality d. Sample size
C
The following hypothesis was investigated in a study for review: Children who have a parent who is dieting are more likely to put themselves on diets at a young age. Which of the following is the dependent variable? a. Children b. Dieting behavior of parent(s) c. Dieting behavior of child d. Young age
C
The following hypothesis was investigated in a study for review: children who have a parent who is dieting are more likely to put themselves on diets at a young age. Which of the following is the independent variable? a. Children b. Dieting behavior of child c. Dieting behavior of parent(s) d. Young age
D
The following hypothesis was investigated in a study you are reviewing: Children who have a parent who is dieting are more likely to put themselves on diets at a young age. As you critique this study, what kind of hypothesis will you report? a. Associative, complex b. Causal, nondirectional c. Complex, directional d. Simple, directional
A
The following hypothesis, daily "doses of humor" will cause arthritis sufferers to use less pain medication and exercise longer, was listed in a study being critiqued. Which of the following is the operational definition of "dose of humor"? a. Each day subjects in the treatment group will watch a full length comedy film before a prescribed exercise period. Each film shown will have been screened by five assistants and must evoke laughter at least 30% of the time of the film. b. The "doses of humor" will be defined as subjects taking turns telling jokes to each other for 20 minutes each day. c. The operational definition of "doses of humor" for purposes of this study will be the reading of three jokes taken from the newspaper each day. d. The operational definition of "doses of humor" is that each day something funny will happen to the participant.
C
To critique a study, one must: a. be an experienced researcher and thoroughly understand the research process. b. be doctorally prepared and received a certificate to critique. c. have received some education regarding research and the research process. d. hold a master's degree and have conducted at least one study.
B
What is the basic purpose of the comprehension phase of critiquing a research study? a. Answer as many of the critique questions as possible b. Gain a basic understanding of the research c. Identify the independent and dependent variables d. Look up any words or concepts that are not clear
B
What is the dependent variable in the following hypothesis: teenagers who have a high self-concept will be less likely to diet than those with a low self-concept? a. Age of subject b. Dieting status c. Self-concept d. Teenager
C
What is the independent variable in the following hypothesis: teenagers who have a high self-concept will be less likely to diet than those with a low self-concept? a. Age of subject b. Dieting status c. Self-concept d. Teenager
D
What is the very first step in critically appraising an article? a. Consider the researcher's goals b. Determine the study problem c. Find each section of the report d. Thoroughly read the entire article
D
What knowledge is required to fully define nursing research? a. An exhaustive list of the research that has already been conducted in nursing b. Ways to perform the major descriptive and inferential statistics needed for analysis c. Research studies well received by other disciplines for collaborative projects d. A determination of what nurses need to know to provide the best patient care
C
What major skill is required to competently evaluate research? a. A high level of clinical expertise b. A thorough knowledge of the topic c. The ability to think critically d. The ability to write concisely
D
What type of research has a major focus on examining the long-term, short-term, negative, and positive results of care across a variety of settings? a. Correlational b. Ethnographic c. Historical d. Outcomes
A
When critiquing qualitative research, it is important to: a. analyze the researcher's adherence to qualitative standards of investigation. b. avoid comparison of the study with other published studies to prevent bias. c. emphasize study strengths over weaknesses. d. use the same approach for both qualitative and quantitative study critiques.
A
When critiquing sample size in a study, which of the following study type would require the largest sample size? a. Correlational b. Experimental c. Grounded theory d. Phenomenological
D
Where might a beginning researcher look to discover critiques of research to learn how to evaluate studies? a. American Journal of Nursing b. Nursing Times c. RN d. Western Journal of Nursing Research
A
Which of the following are not considered threats to analytical and interpretative preciseness in a qualitative study? Failure to: a. include enough participants to support the findings b. involve two or more researchers in data analysis or to describe how disagreements about data analysis were handled c. present the findings in a way that yields a meaningful picture of the phenomenon under study d. return the findings to participants or experts in the area or to readers who determine results are consistent with common meanings and understandings
D
Which of the following best describes the following hypothesis: Teenagers who have a high self-concept will be less likely to diet than those with a low self-concept? a. Associative, complex b. Causal, nondirectional c. Complex, directional d. Simple, directional
A
Which of the following can be reassuring to a novice researcher who has been asked to critique a research study? a. A critique is an opinion. If the novice understands the research process and thinks critically, he or she has as much right to an opinion as an expert. b. If the researcher conducting the study has completed many previous studies, the individual critiquing the study can assume a quality study. c. Much of the critique is based on supposition anyway, so the novice has as much expertise as anyone when it comes to writing one. d. Because no one can prove anything in research, but only support previous work, a novice researcher is as skillful as the expert.
D
Which of the following standards are not typically applied to qualitative research studies? a. Descriptive vividness b. Methodological congruence c. Philosophical or theoretical connectedness d. Statistical appropriateness for data analysis
C
Which of the following historical events had a major impact on the funding for nursing research? a. Development of a Nursing Research Council as part of the American Nurses Association b. Development of local, national, and international nursing research conferences by Sigma Theta Tau c. Formation of the National Center for Nursing Research d. Initiation of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
B
Which of the following is an important skill when critiquing qualitative research? a. An ability to determine appropriate statistical tests for this type of research b. Being able to identify the potential weaknesses of qualitative research c. Distinguishing quantitative from qualitative research d. Finding the hypothesis since they are often hidden in a qualitative study
D
Which of the following is true about critiquing the literature review? a. All studies connected with the topic should be presented. b. The literature review for a qualitative study is going to be much lengthier than for a quantitative one. c. The literature should be summarized and presented in chronological order. d. The researcher should gather all relevant literature and present it as it applies to the current study, noting agreements, disagreements, and gaps in the knowledge base.
A, B
Which of the following questions might be asked by a qualitative researcher? (Choose all that apply.) a. How does the experience of being in a car accident affect a person's driving speed? b. What is it like to live with a terminal illness? c. Which medication is most effective in treating pain resulting from an amputation? d. What percentage of patients enjoys the food served to them while in the hospital?
D
Which of the following statements is true regarding a critique of qualitative research? a. Because of the unique nature of the different types of qualitative research, it is necessary to critique each one according to a specific and distinctive plan. b. It is essentially personal opinion as to the strengths and weaknesses of a qualitative study, so it is much easier to critique this type of research. c. Putting the emphasis on the weaknesses of the study is common practice with critiquing qualitative research. d. When critiquing a qualitative study, you need to examine differences between the qualitative approaches.
C
Which of the following statements would be an acceptable response to the question, "What is the study problem?" a. "It was very unclear what the researcher was trying to accomplish. I found it lengthy and difficult to read. The vocabulary was way over my head and I got lost trying to figure things out." b. "The researcher did not do a very good job of presenting the study problem." c. "The researcher states the study problem completely and concisely. It is clear to the reader what was trying to be accomplished with the research." d. "No problem was presented."
A
Which of the following statements would come from the evaluation section of a research critique? The: a. researcher has reported findings significant to the nursing community. b. sample was evaluated and found to be nonrepresentative of the population the researcher was trying to study. c. study used a random sampling method that was appropriate to the design. d. subjects' rights were not protected because there is no mention of the IRB review process.
B
Which of the following studies would not be considered nursing research? a. Assessing the knowledge base of caregivers of Alzheimer's patients b. Developing innovative pin insertion techniques for fracture treatment c. Evaluating the effectiveness of wound care in diabetic patients d. Reviewing staff nurse retention policies in rural hospital settings
B
Which would not be considered evidence for the establishment of an evidence-based protocol for reducing falls in frail elderly people? A report or paper on the: a. correlational study investigating the use of pain medications and incidence of falls in hospitalized elderly people. b. ethical position paper on restraining elderly people in extended care facilities. c. expert opinion statement regarding balance training and therapy. d. meta-analysis of reporting falls among elderly people in extended care facilities.
A, B, D
Why can research be considered a "world" of its own? (Choose all that apply.) Because it: a. involves new rules and new experiences. b. is a new way of experiencing reality. c. is conducted in certain geographical areas of the world. d. requires learning a unique language.
D
Why is the critical appraisal of nursing research essential? a. Determining the pros and cons of a study will help nurses learn research. b. It indicates training in research within the profession. c. Journal editors need to hear from readers what kind of research they like. d. There is a strong movement toward evidence-based practice.
D
A researcher is critiquing the published study of another researcher. Which of the following questions is not an appropriate question to ask when examining the study? a. Can the study be replicated by other researchers? b. Did the researchers use sound methodology? c. Was the research problem significant? d. What preparation did the researcher have to conduct the study?
C
A researcher reports on a qualitative study and does not give enough information about how decisions were reached. What would the reviewer say about this omission? a. The researcher did not provide enough protection for the subjects in this study. It is unclear what happened after the in-depth questioning on this very sensitive topic. From the information presented, debriefing did not take place and would seem to be necessary in this study. b. Findings in the study indicate that another researcher with similar background would undoubtedly arrive at the same conclusions, particularly if the subjects came from a similar population. c. The researcher failed to provide enough information for anyone else to arrive at the same conclusion. This threat to auditability is further emphasized because the researcher did not provide the reader with a sufficient number of quotes to support the findings. d. There is a significant problem with the significance of the study.
A
An example of inductive reasoning is: a. going from a single diabetic patient to all diabetic patients. b. moving from all chronically ill patients to a single chronically ill patient. c. using a standard nursing care plan to care for a specific patient. d. using a computerized nursing care plan to care for insulin-dependent diabetic patients.
B
According to Healthy People (HP) 2010 and the mission of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), focus for future nursing research includes which of the following? a. Development of new indications for existing drug therapies in hypertension b. Evaluating therapeutic life style changes for effectiveness in reducing hypertension c. Investigating the role of incretins in managing glycemic control in diabetic patients d. Reducing medical errors caused by inaccurate dispensing of prescriptions
B
If self-concept is one of the variables in a quantitative study, which of the following operational definitions would be favorably critiqued? a. Each individual will be given an overview of the concept of the self and asked to write a definition telling about his or her own self-concept. b. For purposes of this study, the self-concept will be defined as the subject's score on the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept scale. c. Self-concept is an individual's view of himself and/or herself. It is the positive and negative feelings of self-definition and self-worth and factors that are important to the self. d. Self-concept will be measured as positive or negative.
B
In looking at the sampling plan of a study, the reviewer knows that the sample size needed for a study increases when the: a. alpha level is increased from 0.01 to 0.05. b. number of variables in the study increases. c. one-tailed versus two-tailed statistical test is used. d. sensitivity of the instruments used is high
C
In the critical appraisal process, a research consumer reads through the abstract and research report. References are examined closely, and the research report is analyzed for completeness of the major sections. Which step of the research critique process is described here? a. Analysis b. Comparison c. Comprehension d. Evaluation
B
In which phase of the critical appraisal is the study compared and contrasted with the ideal, requiring that the reviewer understand each step of the research process? a. Analysis b. Comparison c. Comprehension d. Evaluation
D
Scientific knowledge is generated through: a. authorities. b. borrowing from other disciplines. c. personal experience. d. research.
C
Sources for credible, rigorous evidence-based guidelines for healthcare practice include the: a. AACN b. CCNE c. NGC d. NLN
A
The following hypothesis was investigated in a study you are reviewing: Teenagers who have a high self-concept will be less likely to diet than those with a low self-concept. As you critique this study, which terms do not require an operational definition? a. Age of subject b. Dieting status c. Self-concept d. Teenager
D
The following hypothesis was investigated in a study: Daily "doses of humor" will cause arthritis sufferers to use less pain medication and exercise longer. Which of the following listed is the dependent variable? a. Arthritis sufferers b. Frequency of humor c. Humor d. Length of exercise
C
The following hypothesis was investigated in a study: daily "doses of humor" will cause arthritis sufferers to use less pain medication and exercise longer. Which of the following is the independent variable? a. Amount of pain medication b. Arthritis sufferers c. Doses of humor d. Length of exercise
C
The following hypothesis, daily "doses of humor" will cause arthritis sufferers to use less pain medication and exercise longer, was listed in a study being critiqued. What kind of hypothesis is this? a. Associative, complex b. Causal, nondirectional c. Complex, directional d. Simple, directional
B
The main purpose of leveling or reviewing research evidence in the establishment of evidence-based guidelines is to: a. critique the usefulness of the research in expanding knowledge. b. develop guidelines for providing care to clients. c. generate new nursing research projects. d. review research methods for appropriateness within a research report.
D
The main purpose of studying research for a BSN student is to: a. learn how to conduct a small research study. b. learn how to generate new scientific knowledge to use in practice. c. mentor associate-degree prepared nurses in research projects. d. understand the basic principles of research.
C
The primary purpose of nursing research is to: a. bring prestige to the discipline. b. fund nursing education. c. generate scientific knowledge to guide nursing practice. d. promote the importance of nursing in society.
A
Which of the following would be a reasonable critique of a study title? The title: a. provided the study's focus without becoming lengthy. b. seemed to appropriately represent the study content. c. was lackluster and did not invite the reader's attention. d. was much too long but accurately conveyed the content.
B
Which of the following would indicate that purposive sampling was used correctly in a study that is being critiqued? a. Sample members are determined by finding a designated number of subjects from each of several identified groups (men, women, high school graduates, etc.). b. Subjects who have knowledge about the study topic are asked to participate in the study; those who agree become the sample. c. The names of all possible subjects are put into a hat, and an adequate number are drawn out. d. Volunteers are solicited from the entire population, and those who agree become subjects in the study
B
Which of the following would represent a failure to adhere to ethical standards in a qualitative study? a. Conducting the study after first obtaining permission from the IRB b. Continuing to question a subject about a traumatic incident after the subject begins to openly sob and asks to be excused c. Mentioning that subjects had the right to refuse to participate in the study d. Not including all the specific details of a study in the informed consent document
B
Which statement by a reviewer would indicate an understanding of the critique of threats to adequate documentation of the participants in a qualitative study? a. Registered nurses were interviewed in four states. They were selected appropriately and seemed to represent the population. b. The researcher gave a thorough description of the study sample including the rationale for subject selection and the context and location of the study. c. The subjects were randomly selected and are representative of the study population. d. The subjects were selected using stratified random sampling methods.
B
Which two phases of a research critique are most likely to be done simultaneously? a. Analysis and evaluation b. Comparison and analysis c. Comprehension and comparison d. Each step is unique and is conducted separately.
