Research Exam Two

Correlation Statement format and example

-Format: Is there a correlation (or relationship) between X (interdependent variable) and Y (dependent variable) in the population? -Example: Is there a correlation (or relationship) between anxiety and midterm examination scores of baccalaureate nursing students?

Comparative statement (Experimental study) format and example

-Format: Is there a difference in Y (dependent variable) between Group A, who received X (independent variable) and Group B, who did not receive X? -Example: Is there a difference in the preoperative anxiety levels of patients who were taught relaxation techniques compared to those patients who were not taught relaxation techniques?

Comparative Statement (Descriptive study) format and example

-Format: Is there a difference in Y (dependent variable) between people in the population who have X characteristic (independent variable) and those who do not have X characteristic? -Example: Is there a difference in readiness to learn about preoperative teaching between preoperative patients who have high anxiety levels compared to preoperative patients who have low anxiety levels?

Data

The pieces of information or facts that are collected in research

Research question

The research question provides the framework for the literature review. It should provide a clear focus and indication on what information is needed to address your question. If the question is too broad it may lead you in directions and your search will result in too many sources without manageable focus Ex. Is it better to have a baby on a weekday or weekend?

Equipment and supplies for feasibility of a study

The researcher can devise a study that is significant to nursing and appears feasible to conduct and suddenly find out that there is no equipment to measure the research variables accurately. Even if equipment is available it may not be in working condition. All research projects require some type of resources.

Feasibility of a study

The researcher needs to be reasonably sure that the study can actually be carried out. Many questions need to be answered. How long will the project take, are the appropriate instruments available, can subjects be obtained, what is the cost, does the researcher have support for the project? Time, cost, equipment and supplies, administrative support, peer support, availability of subjects

Sample

The subgroup of the population that is chosen to represent the population

Expectations of undergraduate nursing students

They will always be able to identify problems that are appropriate for nursing research studies

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When you finish a study what are three important things to do?

1. Compare your results to the results of other studies 2. COMMUNICATE THE FINDINGS no matter how significant the findings may be (most important) 3. Utilize the findings and take active part in implementing the findings of the study

Time for feasibility of a study

A nurse might be interested in studying sibling research among Quintuplets. Knowledge of the incidence of quintuplets' births would certainly discourage anyone considering research on this particular population unless the researcher planned to make this a lifelong project. Time is always a factor to consider

Research design

A plan for how the study will be conducted (Qualitative, Quantitative, Experimental, Nonexperimental)

Options and limiters

A variety of options and limiters can help you focus on your search. Most finding tools offer a set of options and looters to help you construct a study that will return relevant hits.

What does a research problem address and how is one created?

It addresses WHAT will be studied and begins with a broad topic area that is narrowed down to a specific problem (Takes a great deal of time)

What is the research question?

It clarifies the specific topic that the researcher expects to be answered (should specify the variable and population)

What is one of the most important deciding factors to conducting research

Personal motivation

Availability of subjects for feasibility of a study

Potential subject may not meet the Study inclusion criteria, may be unwilling to participate, or may already be participating in other studies

CINAHL DATABASES

Provides indexing of the top nursing and allied health literature available, including nursing journal and publications from the National League for nursing and American nursing Association. It covers a wide range of topics including nursing, biomedicine, health sciences library and ship, alternative/complementary medicine, consumer health and allied health disciplines. It also provides access to healthcare books, nursing dissertations, selective conference proceedings, standards of practice, legal cases, research instruments and clinical trials. It has an easy to use interface with basic and advanced search features and searchable cited references.

Saturation

Saturation occurs when the researcher hears a repetition of themes or salient points as additional participants are interviewed. No new information is obtained; data became redundant

Search strategy

Searching for information is easier, faster, and often yield better results when you take time to do a little planning.

Why is it different reviewing literature in a qualitative research study?

Some believe that review of the literature before conducting the research might help identify gaps in knowledge but others do not begin with a review because it might cause bias

Assumptions based on theory or research findings

The assumptions of the theory become the assumptions of the study based on that particular theory

Literature sources

The existing nursing literature is an excellent source of ideas for new research. Nearly every published study concludes with recommendations for further studies. Unpublished theses and dissertations also contain suggestions for studies

What does a hypothesis show and what does it include

The expectations about the results of a study and it should contain the population and variables

Question whether the topic needs to be more specific

What do you mean when you ask is it better? Are you interested in the health of the mother, the child, or both? What other factors might be important in this study such as the length of the hospital stay, adequate staffing, Staff error? Ex. How is weekend birth and higher neonatal mortality associated with quality of care?

One variable study

When studying is of an exploratory nature and contains only one variable, it may be called a Univariate Study or a single variable study. The study might be, "what sources of work stress are identified by cardiac intensive care unit nurses?" The single variable in this question is sources of work stress

Create a set of search terms of phrases

Your literature review should include information about how your search terms were selected, modified, and combined it to ensure a comprehensive and thorough search: Use nouns, noun phrases, and other keywords Induce, labor, morning, evening Expand your search words with synonyms, antonyms, and other relevant words Pregnancy, birth, labor, childbirth, delivery, daytime, night, day Limit your catalog search to specific materials by adding terms such as a reference or encyclopedia

Variable

a characteristic or attribute that differs among the persons, objects, and so forth being studied

Conceptual definition

a dictionary definition or theoretical definition of an abstract idea that is being studied by the researcher

Declarative form

This study examines the relationship between the number of hours that baccalaureate nursing students have studied and their anxiety levels before the midterm exam

What does the purpose of the study address?

WHY the study is being done

Directional research hypothesis

contains the direction of the researcher's expectations for the study results

PSYCHINFO

covers literature from psychology and related disciplines, such as nursing.

Common Sense Assumptions

"if an investigator is carrying out a study to examine behaviors of fathers toward their children, it would be necessary to assume that the men in the study were actually the fathers of the children in the study"

The four sources for generating appropriate nursing research problems

1. Personal experiences 2. Literature sources 3. Existing theories 4. Previous research

Place the steps of using the research process to test theory in the correct order. Standard Text: Click and drag the options below to move them up or down. Choice 1. Determine implications for nursing based on the explanatory power of the theory. Choice 2. Select a theory to be tested in the study. Choice 3. Choose study instruments that are congruent with the theory. Choice 4. Relate study conclusions to the theory. Choice 5. Define study variables using the selected theory as the basis of the theoretical definitions. Choice 6. Make recommendations for future research concerning the designated theory.

2,5,3,4,1,6 Rationale 1: The findings of the study are not meaningful until the implications for nursing are identified. Rationale 2: After reviewing many theories, the researcher must choose one to test. Rationale 3: The researcher must choose an instrument that will test the hypothesis or research question that is also congruent with the theory being tested. Rationale 4: The findings of the study should be described in light of the explanations provided by the theory Rationale 5: The chosen theory should be used to define the study variable. Rationale 6: Most studies result in additional questions or the need for replication of the study in order to support study findings.

Pro quest dissertations and theses database

A comprehensive collection of dissertations and thesis A comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses.

Cochrane Database of systematic review

A global independent network of health practitioners, researchers, patient advocates, and others who work to identify, appraise, and synthesize individual research findings to produce the best available evidence on what can work, might harm, and where more research is needed

Finding tools

Finding tools will help you find actual literature sources. Other terms for finding tools are indices and resources. Catalogs and databases are examples of finding tools.

What do you do before you do quantitative research and why?

Before beginning a study it is important to know what knowledge exists on the topic

universal assumption

Beliefs that are assumed to be true by a large percentage of society

Assumptions

Beliefs that are held to be true, but have not necessarily been proven

Which nursing research problem is most likely based upon a nurse's personal experiences? 1. Demonstrating that saline is equally effective as a heparin solution in keeping intravenous locks patent. 2. Determining whether a proposition that centeredness of decision-making varies throughout the course of an adult client's hospitalization applies to clients over the age of 67. 3. Establishing that a nursing intervention is just as effective in an acute care setting as it was in a clinic. 4. Proposing that nursing as it was practiced at the time of Florence Nightingale is evident in nursing as it was practiced in the 20th century.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: "Demonstrating that saline is equally effective as heparin solution in keeping intravenous locks patent" is most likely based upon a nurse's personal experience because it addresses a first-hand experience of nursing practice. Rationale 2: "Determining whether a proposition that centeredness of decision-making varies throughout the course of an adult client's hospitalization applies to clients over the age of 67" is incorrect because the source of that problem is most likely a theory. Rationale 3: "Establishing that a nursing intervention is just as effective in an acute care setting as it was in a clinic" is incorrect because the source of that problem is most likely previous research. Rationale 4: "Proposing that nursing as it was practiced at the time of Florence Nightingale is evident in nursing as it was practiced in the 20th century" is incorrect because the most likely source for the problem is literature.

Select the problem statement with the preferred format. 1. Is there a correlation between a student's grade point average and performance on NCLEX-RN? 2. Are children who are frightened by the dark more likely to be frightened in the hospital? 3. Will prenatal clinic clients be less prepared for labor and delivery than clients of a private obstetrician? 4. Do nurses show more kindness to children who are considered nice looking than those who are considered ordinary?

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: "Is there a correlation between a student's grade point average and performance on NCLEX-RN?" is correct because it is written in a neutral, nonpredictive form. Rationale 2: The words "more likely" make this statement incorrect because they identify a prediction, which should be stated in the hypotheses, not in the problem statement. Rationale 3: The words "less prepared" make this statement incorrect because they identify a prediction, which should be stated in the hypotheses, not in the problem statement. Rationale 4: The words "more kindness" make this statement incorrect because they identify a prediction, which should be stated in the hypotheses, not in the problem statement.

From the following statements, identify the problem statement that is most clearly written. 1. Is there a correlation between the type of nursing education and the type of nursing practice selected by two-year and four-year undergraduate nursing students upon graduation? 2. Do associate degree graduates require less time to complete nursing skills and document care? 3. Is there a difference between clients who have received conscious sedation prior to general anesthesia? 4. Is there a difference between amount of motivation and study time and passing NCLEX-RN on the first attempt?

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: "Is there a correlation between type of nursing education (independent variable) and type of nursing practice selected (dependent variable) by two-year and four-year undergraduate nursing students (population) upon graduation?" is correct because it clearly presents correlational statement with the essential elements of a problem statement. Rationale 2: "Do associate degree graduates require less time to complete nursing skills and document care?" is incorrect because it fails to clarify the comparison group. Rationale 3: "Is there a difference between clients who have received conscious sedation prior to general anesthesia?" is incorrect because it does not make clear a comparison group. Rationale 4: "Is there a difference between amount of motivation and study time and passing NCLEX-RN on the first attempt?" is incorrect because, although a population of nursing graduates is implicit, it is not clearly stated.

The nurse researcher found a reference to an article that was indexed in Index Medicus. What does the researcher discern about this article? 1. It will now be indexed in MEDLINE. 2. It is a physician authored article. 3. This article was written after 2004. 4. The researcher will have to go to the library to access the article.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: Index Medicus was a print index that has been converted to MEDLINE. Rationale 2: Index Medicus consisted of articles for medicine, nursing, and allied health, written by various health care disciplines. Rationale 3: Index Medicus was converted to MEDLINE in 2004. Rationale 4: The article will be indexed in MEDLINE, which is available online.

Select the problem statement that meets criteria for a problem statement and contains all the necessary elements. 1. Is there a difference in male body weight after exercise? 2. Is there a correlation between exercise and pulse rates? 3. Is there a correlation between perception of pain and noise level? 4. Is there a difference in insomnia between men and women?

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: "Is there a difference in body weight (dependent variable) after men (population) exercise (independent variable)?" is correct because it contains all the elements of an acceptable problem statement and is written in interrogative sentence form, is ethical, and includes variables that can be empirically tested. Rationale 2: "Is there a correlation between exercise (dependent variable) and pulse rate (independent variable)?" is incorrect because it fails to include a population. Rationale 3: "Is there a correlation between perception of pain (independent variable) and noise level (dependent variable)?" is incorrect because it fails to include a population. Rationale 4: "Is there a difference in perception of insomnia between men and women?" is incorrect because "perception" cannot be empirically tested.

Two nurse researchers are reviewing a qualitative research study report for possible publication. There is a great amount of debate between the two nurses on the accuracy and meaning of the study data. Which criteria of trustworthiness are these nurses debating? 1. Confirmability. 2. Transferability. 3. Credibility. 4. Dependability.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: Confirmability is how much agreement there is between two or more individuals who are reviewing the data for accuracy and meaning. Rationale 2: Transferability is how applicable the results are to other groups and situations. Rationale 3: Credibility is the believability of the data. Rationale 4: Dependability is how stable the data are over time and in different situations.

The researcher is considering the content analysis section of the research plan for a qualitative study. What work will the researcher do during this section? 1. Develop rules for coding data into categories. 2. Use preestablished rules for analyzing data. 3. Establish the significance of numerical data. 4. Make inferences about a population from a sample.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: Content analysis involves creating categories of data and developing rules for coding into these categories. Coding is the basic analysis tool of qualitative researchers. Rationale 2: Qualitative research studies are very individual, so there are no preestablished rules for analyzing data as there are in quantitative research. Rationale 3: Numerical data analysis is generally thought of as being part of quantitative studies. Rationale 4: Qualitative researchers usually do not try to make generalizations from their findings, but do try to determine how study results can be applied.

The nurse's research is testing Martha Rogers' Science of Unitary Human Beings. The researcher has chosen to study the growing diversity in the individual field pattern of older adults moving to an assisted living center. The study predicts that, if these patterns follow Rogers' theory and are indeed becoming more diverse, the subjects have a greater chance of adapting well to the move. What kind of reasoning is this nurse using? 1. Deductive. 2. Inductive. 3. Propositional. 4. Grand theory reasoning.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: Deductive reasoning proceeds from the general (Rogers' theory) to specific (older adults adapting well to moving). Rationale 2: Inductive processing involves data that are gathered from a real-life situation and the researcher making a general explanation of that behavior. Rationale 3: The term propositional statement is used in research to assert the relationship between concepts, not to describe a type of reasoning. Rationale 4: Grand theories address a broad range of phenomenon in the environment. This is not a type of reasoning.

The nurse researcher has published a research study about the life of Florence Nightingale. The nurse reading the report suspects that a letter, thought by the researcher to be written by Ms. Nightingale, fails the test of external criticism. What does this mean about this source? 1. The letter is not authentic. 2. The letter does not address the researcher's topic. 3. The information in the letter is not accurate. 4. The information in the letter contradicts information from a previous study.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: External criticism is the test of authenticity of a source. Rationale 2: Applicability of information to the researcher's topic is not addressed by external criticism. Rationale 3: The accuracy of information in the letter is a test of internal criticism. This test is considered after the source passes the test of external criticism. Rationale 4: This may be a valid issue, but is not a test of external criticism.

The student researcher is having difficulty locating information on the chosen research topic. The research faculty asks, "Have you found any grey literature?" What response, made by the student, indicates understanding of this literature? 1. "Yes, I did find some information in a conference proceeding from 2 years ago." 2. "No, everything I have found is recent." 3. "Yes, most of what I have found was written by older professors with tenure." 4. "No, I haven't found any articles written outside the United States."

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: Grey literature is composed of unpublished studies, conference proceedings, dissertations, theses, and technical reports. These works are unpublished and usually not indexed or made available in major databases. Rationale 2: The designation "grey literature" has nothing to do with the age of the information. Rationale 3: The designation "grey literature" has nothing to do with the age of the researcher. Rationale 4: The designation "grey literature" has nothing to do with where the study was written.

The nurse researcher is conducting research on the effect of homelessness on how often a woman performs self-breast examinations. Which theory would be of greatest interest to this nurse? 1. Pender's Health Promotion Theory. 2. Mishel's Uncertainty in Illness Theory. 3. Melzack's Gate Control Theory of Pain. 4. Benner's model on novice to expert.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: Health practices of 137 homeless women in shelters were studied by Wilson (2005) using Pender's Health Promotion Model as the theoretical framework. Rationale 2: This theory deals with illness, not health practices. Rationale 3: This theory describes a possible process for transmission of pain and does not address health practices. Rationale 4: This model deals with the development of a nurse from novice to expert and does not address health practices.

The nurse researcher who is planning a qualitative research study chooses to conduct the review of literature after data have been collected and interpreted. What is the most likely reason the researcher would choose this work plan? 1. The researcher believes that an earlier review of the literature might introduce bias into the interpretation of study results. 2. The researcher believes that the need to locate/situate findings in an existing theory will be greatest after data are collected. 3. The researcher believes that all research should follow specific steps in a consistent way. 4. The researcher believes that there is a focus predominantly on theory rather than on previous research.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: Many qualitative researchers conduct the review of literature at this point in order to reduce possible bias that could be introduced by reading what other researchers think or what other studies have shown. Rationale 2: The most likely reason for the researcher to conduct the review of literature at this point is to reduce the possibility that reading other literature would bias the researcher's interpretation of this study's findings. Rationale 3: This option does not apply as quantitative researchers do a review of literature at the beginning of the study, some qualitative researchers do the review of literature at the end of the study, and some qualitative researchers do little or no review of literature. Rationale 4: The most likely reason for the researcher to conduct the review of literature at this point is to reduce the possibility that reading other literature would bias the researcher's interpretation of this study's findings.

Qualitative researchers are generally more interested in relevance of findings than in objectivity and generalizability. To what belief, generally held by qualitative researchers, is this most directly related? 1. The belief that each subject is most knowledgeable about the topic under study. 2. The belief that this enhances the credibility of replicating the study. 3. The belief that this increases the reliability and internal validity of the findings. 4. The belief that this increases the reliability and external validity of the findings.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: Rather than discussing the strict rigor and objectivity of their research, qualitative researchers often mention the relevance of their study findings. Rationale 2: Qualitative studies are seldom replicated because the exact subjects in the population and situation are difficult to replicate. Rationale 3: Whereas reliability and validity are important in all research, qualitative researchers put more emphasis on the relevance of their findings. Rationale 4: Whereas reliability and validity are important in all research, qualitative researchers put more emphasis on the relevance of their findings.

What type of hypothesis is "Cancer patients who use guided imagery during chemotherapy administration will have less nausea and vomiting and less anxiety than chemotherapy patients who do not use guided imagery"? 1. Complex and directional. 2. Simple and directional. 3. Complex and nondirectional. 4. Simple and nondirectional.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: The hypothesis has one independent and two dependent variables, so it is complex; it also states one group will have less nausea and vomiting and anxiety, so it is directional. Rationale 2: Since this hypothesis has one independent and two dependent variables, it is complex. It is directional. Rationale 3: This is a complex hypothesis, but because it states that one group will have less nausea and vomiting and anxiety, it is directional. Rationale 4: Since this hypothesis has one independent and two dependent variables, it is complex and because it states that one group will have less nausea and vomiting and anxiety, it is directional.

The purpose of a research study is to examine the effects of social support on the psychological health of elderly residents of a nursing home. In this statement, psychological health is which part of the study? 1. Dependent variable. 2. Independent variable. 3. Attribute variable. 4. Confounding variable.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: The presumed effect, or outcome, is psychological health, the dependent variable. Rationale 2: The independent variable is the presumed cause/the manipulation or treatment in a study. Rationale 3: An attribute variable describes the attributes or characteristics of the subjects in a study. Rationale 4: A confounding variable is an extraneous variable that is not controlled in a study.

The text at the beginning of a research study report reads the following: "Is there a relationship between the number of medication errors made and the number of consecutive days the nurse has worked? This study will try to determine if the number of medication errors made is related to the number of consecutive days the nurse has worked. Medication errors are a serious threat to hospitalized patients." Which of these statements is the research problem? 1. Is there a relationship between the number of medication errors made and the number of consecutive days the nurse has worked? 2. This study will try to determine if the number of medication errors made is related to the number of consecutive days the nurse has worked. 3. Medication errors are a serious threat to hospitalized patients. 4. None of these statements is a research problem.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: The research problem is often an interrogative sentence that asks about the relationship between two variables. Rationale 2: This statement is the purpose of the study. Rationale 3: This is a statement of fact, not a research problem. Rationale 4: The first sentence of the research study report is the research problem, stated as a question.

The qualitative nurse researcher is expected to maintain which level of privacy to protect the participants in the study? 1. Confidentiality. 2. Anonymity. 3. Partial privacy. 4. There is no possibility of privacy in a qualitative study.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: The researcher will be aware of the identity of the study participants and will be able to link data with those participants since much of the work is done by interview. The researcher must be very careful to maintain confidentiality. Rationale 2: Anonymity cannot be maintained because the researcher who has conducted personal interviews will know how the participants responded. Rationale 3: Levels of privacy in nursing research are confidentiality and anonymity. Rationale 4: The researcher must be very careful to maintain confidentiality.

The nurse researcher wishes to generalize a study's findings to persons living in the southern United States. The study is being done on persons living in a small town in rural Alabama. Which option reflects the target population of this study? 1. Persons living in the southern United States. 2. Persons living in a small town in rural Alabama. 3. Persons living in the state of Alabama. 4. Persons living in the United States in general.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: The target populations is made up of a group of people or objects to which the researcher wishes to generalize the findings of a study, in this case, persons living in the southern United States. Rationale 2: This is the accessible population. Rationale 3: This is neither the target population nor the accessible population in this study. Rationale 4: This is neither the target population nor the accessible population in this study.

The nursing research student is reviewing study designs prior to beginning a class assignment. Which statement, made by this study, reflects poor understanding of these designs? 1. I think the one-shot case study design will be best for my study since it controls threats to internal validity. 2. The one-group pretest-posttest design might be quicker to complete, but it is a weak design. 3. If I choose a time-series design, I should plan numerous measurements of my dependent variable to strengthen validity. 4. If I can randomly assign study subjects to my groups, I can use the pretest-posttest control group design.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: This design is the weakest of all experimental designs because it does not control for threats to internal validity. Rationale 2: This design is considered weak. Rationale 3: This is a true statement. Rationale 4: This is a true statement.

The nurse researcher who is new to qualitative research believes that saturation of data has occurred after interviewing seven study subjects. What question would help determine if this is true? 1. Are any new themes or information emerging from the interviews? 2. Has the researcher reached the number of study subjects chosen for the study? 3. Do any of the study subjects know one another? 4. Is the researcher ready to analyze the data?

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: This is the appropriate consideration for whether saturation has been achieved. If no new themes or information are emerging, saturation has been reached. Rationale 2: Qualitative studies do not have a set number of subjects. The researcher continues interviewing until saturation is reached. Rationale 3: If the researcher is concerned that data are inaccurate because study subjects know one another or are "comparing notes" regarding the interviews, the issue at hand is the quality of all of the data, not if the data have achieved saturation. Rationale 4: Data in a qualitative study are analyzed as they are collected. The researcher would not suspect that saturation has occurred unless the data had already been analyzed.

Which of the following questions predicts the outcome of the study? 1. Is there a strong correlation between age and learning in older adults? 2. Is there a relationship between anxiety levels of undergraduate nursing students and paper and pencil test scores? 3. Is there a relationship between self-esteem and choice of career? 4. To what extent does providing preoperative teaching to transplant clients affect level of anxiety after surgery?

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: This statement predicts the strength of a correlation between age and learning and should be presented in a hypothesis. Rationale 2: This is a neutral, nonpredictive statement. Rationale 3: This is a neutral, nonpredictive statement. Rationale 4: This is a neutral, nonpredictive statement.

A nurse researcher is conducting a study on the relationship between medication errors and the number of consecutive days worked by a nurse. One of the assumptions of this study is that medication errors are a serious threat to patients. Which type of assumption is this? 1. A universal assumption. 2. A theoretical assumption. 3. A research-based assumption. 4. A common sense assumption.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: Universal assumptions are those beliefs that are assumed to be true by a large percentage of society. Rationale 2: Theoretical and research-based assumptions are the same thing and are assumptions derived from theory or previous research. Rationale 3: Theoretical and research-based assumptions are the same thing and are assumptions derived from theory or previous research. Rationale 4: A common sense assumption would be that the nurses working consecutive days are administering medications.

All of these options are important to the practice of nursing. Which option is likely the most important? 1. The applicability of theories from other disciplines to nursing practice. 2. The need for nursing to establish its own theoretical base. 3. Replication of theoretical research for validation. 4. Comparing historical theory to today's society.

Correct Answer: 1 Rationale 1: Whereas all of these options are concerned with nursing theoretical research, the most important is likely whether the theories that so much of nursing practice is based on are actually applicable to the practice of nursing. Rationale 2: This is an important consideration, but whether the theories that nursing has borrowed from other disciplines actually apply to nursing has major importance to the practice. Rationale 3: Theories should be tested and retested; however, it is extremely important to know if the theories that nursing has borrowed from other disciplines actually apply to nursing. Rationale 4: Theories should be tested and retested, and should be evaluated for timeliness; however, it is extremely important to know if the theories that nursing has borrowed from other disciplines actually apply to nursing.

The nurse researcher is completing a review of literature. Why will this work be useful to the researcher as the project continues? Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. It helps to develop a theoretical or conceptual framework for the study. 2. It helps to identify what is already known on the topic of the study. 3. It assists in the identification of data collection tools to measure the study variables. 4. It determines the purpose of conducting a study. 5. It helps identify the research problem.

Correct Answer: 1,2,3 Rationale 1: The review of literature helps to determine what knowledge exists of the study topic, helps to develop a theoretical of conceptual framework for the study, and helps the researcher plan study methods. Rationale 2: The review of literature helps to determine what knowledge exists of the study topic, helps to develop a theoretical of conceptual framework for the study, and helps the researcher plan study methods. Rationale 3: The review of literature helps to determine what knowledge exists of the study topic, helps to develop a theoretical of conceptual framework for the study, and helps the researcher plan study methods. Rationale 4: This step occurs before the review of literature. Rationale 5: This step occurs before the review of literature.

Which discipline(s) make(s) frequent use of the case study approach to qualitative research? Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. Sociology. 2. Anthropology. 3. Law. 4. Medicine. 5. Nursing.

Correct Answer: 1,2,3,4 Rationale 1: Sociology, anthropology, law, and medicine make frequent use of the case study approach. Rationale 2: Sociology, anthropology, law, and medicine make frequent use of the case study approach. Rationale 3: Sociology, anthropology, law, and medicine make frequent use of the case study approach. Rationale 4: Sociology, anthropology, law, and medicine make frequent use of the case study approach. Rationale 5: Nursing uses the action research approach more than the case study approach.

What are the purposes of the review of literature in a research study? Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. It helps the researcher identify what has not worked in previous studies of the topic. 2. It helps the researcher broaden the topic question. 3. It helps the researcher determine the current state of knowledge about the topic. 4. It gives the researcher ideas about possible theoretical frameworks for the study. 5. It gives the research report reader information about the researcher's expertise in the field.

Correct Answer: 1,3,4 Rationale 1: By reading about previous studies, the researcher can get an idea of what has and has not worked in the past. Rationale 2: The review of literature is used to narrow the topic. Rationale 3: This is the classic reason the review of literature is important. Rationale 4: Reading previous research may help the researcher choose a theoretical framework for the current study. Rationale 5: The review of literature is not designed as a review of the researcher's credentials.

The nurse researcher believes that random assignment to the study's groups is impossible and has elected to use currently existing groups as study subjects. Because of this decision, which study design(s) will this nurse researcher choose from for this study? Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. Nonequivalent control group design. 2. Pretest-posttest control group design. 3. One-group pretest-posttest design. 4. Time-series design. 5. Solomon four-group design. 6. Postest-only control group design.

Correct Answer: 1,4 Rationale 1: This situation describes a quasi-experimental design. Nonequivalent control group design and time-series design are the two quasi-experimental designs discussed in the chapter. Rationale 2: This design is used in true experimental testing, not quasi-experimental testing, which is described in the question. Rationale 3: This is a pre-experimental design, and would not be used for the quasi-experimental situation described. Rationale 4: This situation describes a quasi-experimental design. Nonequivalent control group design and time-series design are the two quasi-experimental designs discussed in the chapter. Rationale 5: This design is used in true experimental testing, not quasi-experimental testing, which is described in the question. Rationale 6: This design is used in true experimental testing, not quasi-experimental testing, which is described in the question.

From the problem statement, "Is there a difference in postoperative pain perception between postoperative clients who use relaxation techniques and clients who do not use relaxation techniques?" identify the independent variable. 1. Relaxation techniques. 2. Relaxation techniques use. 3. Postoperative status. 4. Postoperative pain perception.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: "Relaxation techniques" is incorrect because it fails to completely indicate the variable that the researcher seeks to manipulate in terms of using or not using. Rationale 2: "Relaxation techniques use" is correct because it is the variable that the researcher can manipulate. Rationale 3: "Postoperative status" is incorrect because it is a descriptor of the population the researcher seeks to study, not a variable. Rationale 4: "Pain perception" is incorrect because it describes the variable that the researcher seeks to influence. This is the dependent variable, not the independent variable.

What is a set of related statements that describes or explains phenomena in a systematic way? 1. Concept. 2. Theory. 3. Construct. 4. Proposition.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: A concept is a word picture or mental idea of a phenomenon. Rationale 2: Theory is correct because a theory is a set of related statements that describes or explains phenomena in a systematic way. Rationale 3: A construct is the term used to indicate a phenomenon that cannot be directly observed but must be inferred by certain concrete or less abstract indicators of the phenomenon. Rationale 4: A proposition is a statement or assertion of the relationship between concepts.

A study utilized the medical records of nursing home residents as the source of data for the study. This is an example of which type of study? 1. Longitudinal. 2. Retrospective. 3. Prospective. 4. Cross-sectional.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: A longitudinal study follows subjects over time to determine effects of a phenomenon. There is not enough data in the question to determine if this is a longitudinal study. Rationale 2: In a retrospective study, the dependent variable (effect) is identified in the present, and an attempt is made to determine the independent variable (cause) that occurred in the past. Rationale 3: A prospective study identifies presence of an independent variable and follows subjects into the future to observe the dependent variable. Rationale 4: A cross-sectional study examines subjects at a particular point in time.

The nurse researcher wants to review evidence-based practice resources during the review of literature. Which database would be most helpful to this researcher? 1. CINAHL. 2. CINAHL Plus with full text. 3. Registry of Nursing Research. 4. Medline Plus.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: CINAHL does not have full text available. Rationale 2: CINAHLPLUS with full text includes research studies and also evidence-based practice care sheets. Rationale 3: This is an abstract registry and does not provide full text. Rationale 4: This site contains consumer health information.

Why should the nurse developing a quantitative research study avoid using the word "cause" in the research question? 1. "Cause" is a term limited to qualitative research. 2. It is difficult to prove causality. 3. Researchers are seldom interested in cause-and-effect relationships. 4. Causality may indicate an ethical issue.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: Cause-and-effect issues are also important to quantitative researchers. Rationale 2: It is very difficult to prove causality. Rationale 3: Researchers are often interested in cause-and-effect. Rationale 4: If an ethical issue arises because something causes an effect, it should be discovered and addressed.

Choose the term(s) that would indicate a prediction when used in a directional research hypothesis. 1. Corresponding. 2. Decrease. 3. Better. 4. Theoretical. 5. Prove.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: Corresponding is not a predictive term. Rationale 2: A directional hypothesis should contain predictive terms such as less, greater, decrease, or negative correlation. Rationale 3: Better is not measurable. Rationale 4: Theoretical is not a predictive term. Rationale 5: Prove is not a predictive term.

The nurse researcher has designed a univariate research study. What is often the purpose of these studies? 1. To satisfy the researcher's curiosity about a topic. 2. To help beginning researchers gain confidence in research skills. 3. To serve as a basis for a more complex study. 4. To determine the subject's interest in participating in a study.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: This is not a general purpose of univariate research. Rationale 2: This is not a general purpose of univariate research. Rationale 3: Univariate research often serves as a beginning step in researching a more complex topic. Rationale 4: This is not a general purpose of univariate research.

The staff nurse notices that newly admitted patients appear calmer after the nurse has completed their admission interview and physical assessment and has discussed their plan of care. The nurse wonders if this is related to alleviation of fear of the unknown. What kind of thinking is this nurse pursuing? 1. Extension. 2. Inductive. 3. Review. 4. Deductive.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: Extension is not a type of thinking. Rationale 2: Inductive reasoning proceeds from the specific situation (patients appearing calmer) to general (alleviation of fear of the unknown.) Rationale 3: Review is not a type of thinking. Rationale 4: Deductive reasoning proceeds from the general to specific. In this case, the nurse is thinking from specific (patients appearing calmer) to general (alleviation of fear of the unknown.)

Which type of study is conducted to develop, test, and evaluate research instruments? 1. Field studies. 2. Methodological studies. 3. Secondary analysis studies. 4. Ex-post facto studies.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: Field studies are studies that occur in natural or real-life settings. Rationale 2: Methodological studies are conducted to develop, test, and evaluate research instruments and methods. Rationale 3: Secondary analysis studies utilize and analyze data gathered in other studies in order to test new hypotheses or examine new research questions. Rationale 4: Ex-post facto studies look at differences among groups in which some independent variable has occurred naturally.

The risk manager has noticed a spike in medication errors among nurses who have worked several consecutive days. What is the first step in conducting research into this phenomenon? 1. Identify the population to be studied. 2. Identify the problem to be studied. 3. Identify the relationship between the variables to be studied. 4. Identify the purpose of the study.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: Identification of the population to be studied is a later step in the research process. Rationale 2: Identification and clarification of the problem to be studied is the initial step in the research process. It starts as a general broad area that is narrowed to a specific statement of the problem. Rationale 3: Identification of the relationship between the variables to be studied is a later step in the research process. Rationale 4: Identification of the purpose of the study is a later step in the research process.

The nurse's research focuses on how a person defends himself or herself from daily stressors. Which theorist's work would likely be fundamental to this researcher's work? 1. Roy. 2. Neuman. 3. Rogers. 4. Orem.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: In Roy's theory, humans are considered to be biopsychosocial beings in constant interaction with the changing environment. People are viewed as adaptive systems with cognator and regulator coping mechanisms that act to maintain adaptation in four response modes: physiological, self-concept, role function, and interdependence. Rationale 2: Neuman has proposed a model that focuses on the total person. The person or client system (individual, group, community) is subject to environmental stressors that are intrapersonal, interpersonal, and extrapersonal in nature. The client is protected from stressors by a flexible line of defense that is dynamic. Rationale 3: In Rogers' model, humans and their environment are viewed as two energy fields that are always open to each other. Each human field is unique, and change is always toward increasing complexity and diversity. Rationale 4: Concepts in the Orem model are self-care, self-care agency, self-care demand, self-care deficit, nursing agency, and nursing system.

The following diagram is for which design?R X 01 (experimental group)R 01 (comparison group) 1. Pretest-posttest control group design. 2. Posttest only control group design. 3. Nonequivalent control group. 4. Time-series.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: In this case, the experimental group would have 'O1' before the 'X' and 'O2' after the 'X,' indicating use of a pretest and a posttest. Rationale 2: This is an experimental posttest only design. Subjects are randomly assigned to groups (R), the experimental group receives the experimental treatment (X), the comparison group receives the routine treatment (no X), and a posttest is administered to both groups (O1). Rationale 3: There is no random selection of subjects to the experimental and comparisons groups, so the notation would have no 'R.' Rationale 4: In a time series design, there would be additional 'O' subscript notations, one for each observation.

The nurse researcher has identified that it will be very difficult to control how busy the nursing unit is on days that study data are to be collected and decides not to try to control for this variable. What kind of variable does this situation describe? 1. Independent. 2. Extraneous. 3. Dependent. 4. Empirical.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: Independent variables are those thought to "cause" or influence the dependent variable. Rationale 2: Extraneous variables are those over which the researcher either has no control or chooses not to exercise control. Rationale 3: Dependent variables are those thought to be the "effect" or the variable influenced by the manipulation of the independent variable. Rationale 4: Empirical is not a type of variable.

Why is the hypothesis "There will be a positive relationship between a patient's level of formal education and his or her score on a health questionnaire," incorrectly stated? 1. It predicts a positive relationship. 2. It is written in future tense. 3. It only has no variables. 4. It cannot be empirically tested.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: It is permissible and common for a hypothesis to be written in the positive. Rationale 2: The hypothesis should be written in present tense. Rationale 3: This statement has an independent variable (level of education) and a dependent variable (score on a health questionnaire). Rationale 4: This hypothesis could be tested by giving the study subjects the health questionnaire, scoring it, and comparing the results to level of formal education.

"Child-rearing practices of the Nacirema" is a topic that would be studied most typically by professionals from which discipline? 1. Law. 2. Anthropology. 3. Sociology. 4. Nursing.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: Lawyers most typically use a case study approach, not the ethnographic approach described in this question. Rationale 2: This statement reflects intent to collect and analyze data from a cultural group, which is characteristic of ethnographic studies, the long-standing research approach used by anthropologists to study people all over the world. Rationale 3: Sociologists typically use the grounded theory approach, not the ethnographic approach described in this question. Rationale 4: Although nursing uses many qualitative research approaches, nursing research is often action research focused on improving practice or on the effects of actions taken. Nurses are not as likely to use the approach in the question as are anthropologists.

The nurse researcher is conducting research about nursing interventions used in the treatment of a specific disease state. The researcher would like to include evidence for and against the effectiveness of treatments for the disease in the review of literature. Which database should the researcher access? 1. Medline Plus. 2. Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 3. CINAHL. 4. OVID.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: MedlinePlus is a Web site for consumer health information. Rationale 2: The Cochrane database examines and includes the best evidence that is available in the literature about health care interventions. Rationale 3: CINAHL is the basic CINAHL database and contains around 3,000 journals, but no full text is available. Rationale 4: OVID is an Internet platform. Wolters Kluwer Health provides services through OVID.

Which issue is of concern to nursing? 1. The grand theories of nursing often do not take environment into consideration. 2. The level of theory that drives much research in nursing is generally from other disciplines. 3. The majority of nursing research is guided by grand theories. 4. There are no middle-range nursing theories.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: Nursing theorists consider health, environment, person, and nursing. Rationale 2: Middle-range theories have been shown to be more valuable to nursing research than grand theories. The majority of middle-range theories used in nursing research are from other disciplines. Rationale 3: Middle-range theories have been shown to be more valuable to nursing research than grand theories. Rationale 4: Middle-range theories do exist in nursing.

The nurse researcher is studying a topic associated with education. Which database will be most helpful to this nurse? 1. PsycInfo. 2. ERIC. 3. ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source. 4. MEDLINE.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: PsycInfo covers literature from psychology and related disciplines, one of which is nursing. Rationale 2: ERIC is the world's largest source of education information. Rationale 3: ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source provides reliable health care information that covers nursing, allied health, and alternative and complementary medicine. Rationale 4: MEDLINE provides access to journals in the life sciences, with a concentration on biomedicine.

The nurse researcher's work over the last several years has resulted in the generation of a theory that self-corrects as additional data are collected, interpreted, and analyzed. The researcher uses the process of constant comparison. Which form of research is this nurse researcher most likely conducting? 1. Quasi-experimental. 2. Grounded theory. 3. Historical study. 4. Experimental.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: Quasi-experimental design is a quantitative design. Rationale 2: Grounded theory studies are studies in which data are collected and analyzed, and then a theory is developed that is grounded in the data. Data are constantly compared to data that have already been gathered (constant comparison). As these data are gathered, adjustments are made to the theory (self-correction) to allow for the interpretation of new data obtained. Rationale 3: Historical studies are conducted by nurses, but the focus of this design is looking at how nursing has developed, not the generation of theory. Rationale 4: Experimental designs are quantitative.

The researcher is studying an intervention designed to reduce job stress in emergency department nurses. Just before the study data collection was to start, an emergency department nurse was killed in the line of duty by a mentally deranged patient. What potential threat to the internal validity of the study does this occurrence pose? 1. Selection bias. 2. History. 3. Testing. 4. Maturation.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: Selection threat should be considered in experimental studies when subjects are not randomly assigned to the experimental and comparison groups. There is no evidence that this is the case in this study. Rationale 2: The threat of history occurs when some event besides the experimental treatment occurs during the course of a study, and that event influences the dependent variable. In this case, the death of an emergency department nurse in the line of duty would likely be well covered in the media and would potentially impact the stress levels of ED nurses. Rationale 3: The testing threat may occur in studies where a pretest is given or where subjects have knowledge of baseline data. Subjects may remember the answers given on the pretest and put the same answers on the posttest. There is no evidence that this is the case in this study. Rationale 4: Maturation becomes a threat when changes, such as becoming older or taller, occur within the subjects during the experiment and those events influence the study results. There is no evidence that this is the case in this study.

For which reason do many researchers prefer to write a hypothesis as a directional hypothesis? 1. The use of the null hypothesis in a study demonstrates the researcher's lack of critical thought about the phenomenon under study. 2. It clarifies the study's framework and demonstrates that the researcher has thought critically about the phenomenon under study. 3. A research hypothesis should not specify the proposed relationship between the study variables. 4. Occasionally the researcher writes a research hypothesis, which is the same as the null hypothesis.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: Some researchers write hypotheses in the null form, but this does not mean that the researcher has not thoughtfully considered the relationship of the variables. The null hypothesis is always tested in experimental studies, no matter how the study hypothesis is written. Rationale 2: A directional hypothesis is preferred when there is a reasonable basis to predict the relationship between the variables that is based on the researcher's critical thought and analysis of the phenomenon under study. Rationale 3: The hypothesis should predict the relationship between the variables. Rationale 4: The null hypothesis predicts that there is no relationship between the study variables. The research hypothesis states the predicted relationship. They are not the same.

Which threat to external validity is controlled for in a double-blind experimental study? 1. Rosenthal Effect. 2. Hawthorne Effect. 3. Experimenter Effect. 4. Measurement Effect.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: The Rosenthal effect is the influence of an interviewer on a subject's answers. Rationale 2: The Hawthorne effect is a threat to external validity in a double-blind experiment because it occurs when subjects respond in a certain manner because they know they are part of a study. Rationale 3: The Experimenter effect occurs when the researcher's behavior influences the subject's behavior. Rationale 4: Measurement effect occurs when subjects have been sensitized to the treatment by taking a pretest.

A researcher would likely be more successful accessing a site by which domain name? 1. .edu 2. .org 3. .gov 4. .mil

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: The domain .edu signifies that of an educational organization. Rationale 2: The domain .org signifies that of a professional organization. Rationale 3: The domain .gov signifies that of a government organization. Rationale 4: The domain .mil signifies that of a military organization.

The nurse researcher is new to qualitative research and wishes to use an interview as the data collection method for a study. Which strategy would best serve this nurse? 1. Write structured interview questions. 2. Practice interview technique under the guidance of an experienced interviewer. 3. Have the subject complete the interview by writing down answers to the questions. 4. Choose a different technique to gather information since interviewing is seldom successful in qualitative research.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: The interview questions should be unstructured. Rationale 2: This is a good strategy to help the researcher to perfect his or her technique prior to the study. Rationale 3: These interviews should be done in a face-to-face encounter or over the telephone. If the subject writes answers, the technique is a questionnaire. Rationale 4: Interview is a standard and common technique used in qualitative research.

When does the researcher set the level of significance for rejecting the statistical null hypothesis? 1. Once enough data are collected to show a definite trend. 2. Before data are collected. 3. After data are analyzed. 4. Just before study findings are published.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: The level of significance is set before any data are collected. Rationale 2: This designation is made before data are collected. Rationale 3: The level of significance should have been set before any data were collected not during analysis. Rationale 4: The level of significance should have been set much earlier in the study. It is too late to set it once data have been collected.

The nurse researcher is writing the review of literature portion of the research report. What should this nurse include in this section? 1. Direct quotes from multiple sources. 2. Studies that support and oppose the researcher's position. 3. Primary and secondary sources. 4. Literature that is no more than five years old.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: The literature review should contain mostly paraphrases, rather than direct quotes. Rationale 2: Literature review should include literature that both supports and opposes the researcher's position. Rationale 3: The literature review should focus on primary sources. Rationale 4: A literature review may contain very old research if it is foundational to the study. The researcher should review old and new material.

Which design not only controls all threats to internal validity but also controls the effect of pretest/posttest scores? 1. Nonequivalent control group design. 2. Solomon four-group design. 3. Posttest only control group design. 4. Pretest/Posttest control group design.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: The nonequivalent control group design is similar to pretest/posttest control group design. Selection bias as a threat to internal validity is present as no random assignment to groups occurs. Rationale 2: The Solomon four-group design is considered the most prestigious design because it minimizes threats to internal and external validity and controls the reactive effect of the pretest. Rationale 3: In a pretest/posttest control group design, the threats to internal validity are controlled, but the threat to external validity of reactive effects of a pretest exists. The posttest design is used when a pretest is not possible. Rationale 4: In a pretest/posttest control group design, the threats to internal validity are controlled but the threat to external validity of reactive effects of a pretest exists.

Research hypotheses may be simple or complex. Which statement describes a study that is designed to test a complex hypothesis? 1. There are two groups of subjects in the study. 2. There are more than two variables to be tested in the hypothesis. 3. There are complex definitions for the variables in the hypothesis. 4. The hypothesis will be too difficult to test in a study.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: The number of variables in a study is the determining factor on whether the hypothesis is termed simple or complex. Rationale 2: A complex hypothesis tests the relationship between more than two variables. Rationale 3: The complexity of the definitions of variables is not a factor in the hypothesis being termed complex. Rationale 4: This is not the determining factor in whether a hypothesis is termed simple or complex. If the hypothesis is too difficult to test, the study should be reconsidered or perhaps divided.

Which statement, made by a nurse researcher conducting a qualitative study, reflects an appropriate plan? 1. "I will continue to collect data until the date specified in the study design." 2. "I will continue to collect data until there is no new information forthcoming." 3. "I will continue to collect data until I have interviewed 20 individuals." 4. "I will continue to collect data until all the data collected have been validated."

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: The qualitative researcher does not set a specific time to discontinue data collection. Rationale 2: Saturation, or no new information collected, is the hallmark of qualitative studies. Rationale 3: The qualitative researcher does not specify a number of individuals that will be interviewed. Rationale 4: The qualitative researcher collects data until no new data are forthcoming, not until all data have been validated.

The nurse researcher has identified the study problem and variables. The nurse is now writing a formal statement of the expected relationship between the variables in a specific population. What portion of the study is the researcher developing? 1. Research question. 2. Hypothesis. 3. Objective. 4. Variable.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: The research question is a statement of what the study concerns. Rationale 2: A hypothesis is the expected relationship between two or more variables in a population. Rationale 3: The researcher may have the objective or goal of studying a particular question and should remain objective during the study, but the term "objective" does not describe the relationship between variables. Rationale 4: The variables in a study are generally either dependent (affected by the independent variable) or independent (affecting the independent variable). The statement being written regards the relationship between these variables.

The nurse researcher is planning how to conduct a quantitative research study. Which portion of the research process is the nurse developing? 1. Research question. 2. Research design. 3. Operational definition of variable. 4. Hypothesis.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: The research question is an interrogative statement developed to direct a study. Rationale 2: The research design is the overall plan for the manner in which the study will be conducted. Rationale 3: An operational definition indicates how a variable will be measured in a study. Rationale 4: A hypothesis is a statement of the researcher's expectation about the results of a study.

The nurse researcher is conducting the review of literature for a study. How long should the nurse researcher plan to continue this review? 1. Until the problem statement has been written. 2. Until the data collection process begins. 3. Until all data have been collected. 4. Until the data have been analyzed and the results of the study are being written.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: The review of the literature should continue past this step. Rationale 2: The review of literature should continue until data collection begins in order to ensure the researcher has as much information as possible and the most up-to-date information on the study topic. Rationale 3: The review of literature should have already been discontinued by this point. Rationale 4: The review of literature should have already been discontinues by this point.

Analyze the following research question: "Is there a difference in the final examination scores of employed nursing students who work more than 16 hours a week compared to those nursing students who work less than 16 hours a week?" Which type of study is this? 1. Univariate. 2. Bivariate. 3. Multivariate. 4. Correlational.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: There are two variables (final exam scores and working) in this study. Univariate studies have only one variable. Rationale 2: The two variables of this study are the dependent variable (final exam score) and two levels of independent variable (working more than or less than 16 hours per week). Rationale 3: There are two variables (final exam scores and working) in this study. Multivariate studies have more than two variables. Rationale 4: If this were a correlational study the question might be written, "Is there a correlation between final exam scores and the number of hours employed students work each week."

Experimental research is conducted to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. Rival explanations or competing hypotheses that might explain the study results indicate that a study has which situation? 1. Threats to internal validity only. 2. Threats to internal and external validity. 3. Threats to external validity only. 4. Limited generalizability of results.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: These rival explanations would also have the potential to reduce generalizability of findings, which is a threat to external validity. Rationale 2: Extraneous variables, or competing explanations for results in experimental studies, are labeled threats to internal and external validity. Limited generalizability of results would result from a threat to external validity. Rationale 3: Rival explanations or competing hypotheses that might explain study results are a threat to internal validity. Rationale 4: This limited generalizability is a threat to external validity. This study also has rival explanations or competing hypotheses that might explain study results. This is a threat to internal validity.

Which reference citation indicates a secondary source? 1. Short, S., Hall, C., Engel, S., & Nigel, C. (2004). Exercise imagery and the stages of change. Journal of Mental Imagery, 28(1,2), 61-78. 2. Jansen, C. E., Miaskowski, C., Dodd, J. S., & Dowling, G. (2005). Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment in women with breast cancer: A critique of the literature. Oncology Nursing Forum, 32(2), 329-342. 3. Miaskowski, C. J. (2000). Improving pain management: An ongoing journey. Oncology Nursing Forum, 27(6), 938-944. 4. Loegering, L., Reiter, R., & Gambone, J. (1994). Measuring the quality of health care. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology, 37(1), 122-136.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: This is a citation for an original work. Rationale 2: A published research study is written by the authors, a primary source. A published review or critique of the literature would be conducted by a person, not the original researcher, so it would be a secondary source. Rationale 3: This is a citation for an original work. Rationale 4: This is a citation for an original work.

Who should make recommendations for how the findings of a research study should be integrated into nursing practice? 1. A panel of experts. 2. The researcher. 3. Nurses who read the study. 4. An evidence-based practice group.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: This is not the person Foundations of Nursing Research identifies as the person who should make recommendations on how research findings should be integrated into practice. Rationale 2: The person who knows the most about the research is the researcher. This puts the researcher in the prime position to make recommendations about how the findings should be integrated into practice. Rationale 3: This is not the person Nieswiadomy identifies as the person who should make recommendations on how research findings should be integrated into practice. Rationale 4: This is not the person Nieswiadomy identifies as the person who should make recommendations on how research findings should be integrated into practice.

Select the statement that includes population and variable(s), and is empirically testable. 1. What is the lived experience of women who have survived aggressive breast cancer for five years? 2. Will a cardiac client's heart rate decrease when listening to calming music? 3. Should hospitalized clients be allowed to take medications brought from home? 4. What were the experiences of psychiatric nurses before and after introduction of antipsychotic medications?

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: This statement is incorrect because it identifies a specific population, but it does not contain variables and is not empirically testable. Rationale 2: "Will a cardiac client's (population) heart rate (dependent variable) decrease when listening to calming music (independent variable)?" is correct because it contains all the components of a problem statement and is empirically testable. Rationale 3: "Should hospitalized clients (population) be allowed to take medications brought from home (independent variable)?" is incorrect because it is a value question as stated. The word "should" is a clue that is not an appropriate question as stated. Rationale 4: "What were the experiences of psychiatric nurses (population) before and after introduction of antipsychotic medications (independent variables)?" is incorrect because it is not empirically testable.

A student in a research-focused doctoral program would like to play an active role in controlling the research process. Which type of studies would be best for this student? 1. Correlational studies. 2. Comparative studies. 3. Quasi-experimental studies. 4. Methodological studies.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: Correlational, comparative, and methodological studies are nonexperimental. The researcher has less control and is less active in this category of study than in experimental studies. Rationale 2: Correlational, comparative, and methodological studies are nonexperimental. The researcher has less control and is less active in this category of study than in experimental studies. Rationale 3: The investigator plays a more active role and has more control over the research situation in experimental research. Quasi-experimental studies are categorized as experimental studies. Rationale 4: Correlational, comparative, and methodological studies are nonexperimental. The researcher has less control and is less active in this category of study than in experimental studies.

Which topic is most indicative of a qualitative study that will allow the nurse researcher to focus on collection and analysis of data of cultural groups? 1. Pain control and emotional comfort of oncology clients. 2. Labor and delivery practices of Arabian women. 3. Lived experiences of mothers of children with Down's syndrome 4. In-home hospice care for the dying client

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: This study is most indicative of a grounded theory study that seeks to study fundamental patterns in all social life. Focus on collection and analysis of data of cultural groups is the most important feature of ethnographic research. Rationale 2: This topic is correct because the nurse researcher can view nursing and health care in the context in which it occurs. Ethnographic research focuses on collection and analysis of data from cultural groups. Rationale 3: This topic is most indicative of a phenomenological study through which human experiences are provided through descriptions by the people involved. Focus on collection and analysis of data of cultural groups is the most important feature of ethnographic research. Rationale 4: This topic is most indicative of a case study approach, which is an in-depth examination of an institution. Focus on collection and analysis of data of cultural groups is the most important feature of ethnographic research.

Which proposed title for nursing research articles would most appropriately be studied through quantitative rather than qualitative methods? 1. Attitudes of Emergency Room Nurses Before and After They Served in the Military in Iraq. 2. The Relationship of Amount of Postoperative Pain Medication Administered and Level of Cardiac Rehabilitation Attained Before Discharge in Coronary Artery Bypass Clients. 3. Collaboration Between Public Health Nurses and Public School Administers to Provide Health Teaching in Schools. 4. Roles of Nurse Educators in a Third World Country.

Correct Answer: 2 Rationale 1: This title suggests a historical study and does not indicate that the nurse researcher plans to measure amounts (quantities) of variables. Rationale 2: This title suggests that the nurse researcher measured amounts (quantities) of variables (pain medication administered and cardiac rehabilitation attained). This is best studied using a quantitative design. Rationale 3: This title suggests participatory action research study and does not indicate that the nurse researcher plans to measure amounts (quantities) of variables. Rationale 4: This title suggests a case study approach to the research study and does not indicate that the nurse researcher plans to measure amounts (quantities) of variables.

The nurse researcher is considering using a focus group to collect data for a qualitative study. Before choosing this format, the nurse researcher should be willing to accept which problems that may occur from this format? Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. This format generally takes more time than individual interviews. 2. Not all persons who are in the group may participate. 3. Some people in the group may monopolize the session. 4. Some people do not like to open their views up to possible criticism by others. 5. It is difficult to obtain informed consent from enough people to have a group of sufficient size for the study.

Correct Answer: 2,3,4 Rationale 1: Generally a focus group takes less time than doing individual interviews. Rationale 2: There is no guarantee that everyone in the group will participate, whereas in an individual interview, people are more likely to talk. Rationale 3: This is a risk in any group and may be especially dramatic if there are one or two people in the group who do not share the floor well. Rationale 4: This is also a risk if there are people who are very outspoken in a group. Others in the group may not speak for fear of being criticized. Rationale 5: There is no indication that obtaining informed consent is difficult for focus groups and there often is not a need for a large group as there might be in quantitative research.

Which options are considered appropriate sources for the rationale for study hypotheses? Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. The researcher's best guess. 2. The researcher's clinical experience. 3. The literature including other research studies. 4. The theoretical framework for the study. 5. The conceptual framework for the study.

Correct Answer: 2,3,4,5 Rationale 1: The researcher's guess about the hypothesis is not a good rationale for its choice. If this guess is based upon nursing intuition or an educated hunch about the relationship, the researcher is using a form of clinical experience, but may need to do further reading on the topic. Rationale 2: Recognized sources for this rationale include the researcher's clinical experience, the literature on the topic, and the theoretical or conceptual framework for the study. Rationale 3: Recognized sources for this rationale include the researcher's clinical experience, the literature on the topic, and the theoretical or conceptual framework for the study. Rationale 4: Recognized sources for this rationale include the researcher's clinical experience, the literature on the topic, and the theoretical or conceptual framework for the study. Rationale 5: Recognized sources for this rationale include the researcher's clinical experience, the literature on the topic, and the theoretical or conceptual framework for the study.

The hospital staff nurse has an idea for a research study. In addition to a passionate interest in the topic, what else should the nurse consider? Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. Will the nurse make money from the project? 2. Will the results of the study be of interest to others? 3. Is the study something that can actually be accomplished? 4. Will anyone respect research conducted by a hospital staff nurse? 5. Does the nurse have sufficient resources to accomplish the work?

Correct Answer: 2,3,5 Rationale 1: This should not be a consideration. If the nurse's goal is to make money from the project, study integrity may be compromised. Rationale 2: This is the applicability of the study to nursing. Rationale 3: This is the feasibility of the study. Rationale 4: There is no reason that a staff nurse who has the educational background to do research should not be respected. Rationale 5: These resources include time, equipment, supplies, and support.

What term is used to describe concepts that are manipulated, measured, and controlled in a study? 1. Research purpose. 2. Research questions. 3. Research variables. 4. Research attributes.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: The research purpose is the reason why the study will be conducted. Rationale 2: Research questions ask about the relationship between study variables. Rationale 3: Research variables are the characteristics or attributes that are measured/controlled in a study. Rationale 4: Research attributes are characteristics of the study subjects.

Which of the following statements is phrased as a problem for a quantitative study? 1. Is the best method for improving the life of caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease known? 2. What will decrease the recovery time of clients who are undergoing a major surgical procedure? 3. Is music as effective as beta blockers in improving cardiac output in clients who have been hospitalized after suffering a myocardial infarction? 4. What will increase the quality of life of terminally ill clients?

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: "Is the best method for improving the life of caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease known?" is incorrect because it suggests a study's purpose, is not empirically testable, and does not identify variables. Rationale 2: "What will decrease the recovery time of clients who are undergoing a major surgical procedure?" is incorrect because it suggests a study's purpose and does not identify variables. Rationale 3: "Is music as effective as beta blockers in improving cardiac output?" is correct because it includes variables, a population, and is empirically testable. Rationale 4: "What will increase the quality of life of terminally ill clients?" is incorrect because it suggests a study's purpose and does not identify variables.

The statement "There is no relationship between nurses' ages and their level of assertiveness" is which type of hypothesis? 1. Research hypothesis. 2. Directional hypothesis. 3. Nondirectional hypothesis. 4. Null hypothesis.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: A research hypothesis states the expected relationship between variables. Rationale 2: Rationale 3: In a nondirectional hypothesis, the researcher merely predicts that a relationship exists. Rationale 4: The null hypothesis states the absence of a relationship; it predicts that there is no relationship between variables.

The researcher has discovered that study data have tested three hypotheses that were not stated in the original research design. How would the research reader identify these hypotheses? 1. They are reported as "additional" comparisons. 2. They are reported as "serendipitous" comparisons. 3. They are reported as "ad hoc" comparisons. 4. They are reported as "extra" comparisons.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: Additional is not the term used. Rationale 2: Serendipitous is not the term used. Rationale 3: It is permissible for the researcher to report these comparisons and they are listed as "ad hoc" comparisons. Rationale 4: Extra is not the term used.

The nurse researcher has traveled across country to a library that holds historical documents significant to the study topic. What should the researcher do first? 1. Find a good study table to use while working. 2. Walk around the library, looking for the documents. 3. Consult with one of the librarians. 4. Look for the library's card catalog.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: Although good study space may be at a premium, this is not the best first action. Rationale 2: A tour of the library is helpful, but the researcher needs a tour guide. Rationale 3: This is the first step to take. The librarian can save the researcher valuable time and make the researcher more comfortable in the environment. Rationale 4: Card catalogs are now generally online, not a physical feature of the library.

Which type of study would be conducted in order to examine a cause-and-effect relationship between a new technique to relieve pain in infants during a procedure and the amount/degree of pain relief? 1. Exploratory study. 2. Descriptive study. 3. Explanatory study. 4. Pre-experimental study.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: An exploratory study is conducted when there is little information known about a topic. Rationale 2: A descriptive study is conducted when some studies have been conducted on a topic and information asks about the relationship between study variables. Rationale 3: Explanatory studies are those that search for causal explanations. Enough knowledge exists about the variables of interest that the investigator is able to exercise some degree of control over the research conditions and manipulate one or more of the variables. Rationale 4: A pre-experimental study is conducted when the researcher has little control over the research design.

Which pair of qualitative design and important features is accurate? 1. Grounded theory-bracketing. 2. Case study-constant comparison. 3. Historical-criticism. 4. Phenomenological-key informants.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: An important feature of grounded theory is constant comparison. Bracketing is associated with phenomenological studies. Rationale 2: An important feature of a case study is content analysis. Constant comparison is associated with grounded theory. Rationale 3: Data for historical research should be subject to two types of evaluation, internal and external criticism. Rationale 4: An important feature of phenomenological studies is content analysis. Key informants are associated with ethnographic studies.

The nurse researcher is evaluating study results and believes that data support one part of the two-part study hypothesis, but do not support the other part. What should the researcher do at this point? 1. Report the hypothesis as supported. 2. Revise the hypothesis from the two-part statement to two separate statements. 3. Report the hypothesis as not supported. 4. Report the hypothesis as partially supported.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: Because half of the hypothesis is not supported, the entire hypothesis is not supported. Rationale 2: The hypothesis cannot be revised at this point of the study. Rationale 3: Since half of the hypothesis is not supported, the researcher must report that the hypothesis is not supported. Rationale 4: The hypothesis is either supported or it is not supported; partial support is not an acceptable alternative.

A nurse is caring for a client who has just been transferred from the intensive care unit after having open heart surgery. The nurse wants to use a nursing model, focusing on the person as a total being, as opposed to a medical model, which focuses on the client's disease process. Which nursing model theorist should the nurse reference? 1. Orem. 2. Rogers. 3. Roy. 4. Neuman.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: Concepts in the Orem model are self-care, self-care agency, self-care demand, self-care deficit, nursing agency, and nursing system. Rationale 2: Rogers' model is unique in that the person is viewed as a unified whole. No parts or subsystems are separated out. Rationale 3: Roy has pointed out that nursing focuses on the person as a total being, whereas medicine focuses on the patient's disease process. Rationale 4: Neuman has proposed a model that focuses on the total person. The person or client system (individual, group, community) is subject to environmental stressors that are intrapersonal, interpersonal, and extrapersonal in nature.

In the review of literature, the nurse researcher was unable to find a questionnaire to collect the unique data required for the proposed study. The researcher developed a questionnaire specifically for the study. Once the study began, the researcher discovered that the questionnaire was not supplying the data necessary to answer the study question. How could the researcher have best avoided this situation? 1. Used a preexisting questionnaire, even though it did not collect the correct data. 2. Requested that another nurse read the questionnaire. 3. Done a pilot study with the questionnaire. 4. Altered the questionnaire after data collection started.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: If the preexisting questionnaire did not collect the correct data, it is no better than the one the researcher developed. Rationale 2: Having another nurse read the questionnaire might help discover any problems with clarity, but one nurse's review is not sufficient. Rationale 3: Had the researcher done a pilot study, it would have shown the problem with the instrument. This is the best plan for using a newly created instrument. Rationale 4: Once the data collection has started, altering the questionnaire would require that the previous data be discarded in many cases.

The nurse researcher will be conducting a study in a nursing home. What is the most likely category of this research? 1. It is a laboratory study. 2. It is a comparison study. 3. It is a field study. 4. It is a simulation study.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: In laboratory studies, subjects are studied in a special environment created by the researcher. Rationale 2: There is no way to determine if this is a comparison study. Rationale 3: This study takes place "in the field" or in the real-life situation. Rationale 4: Simulation studies are considered laboratory studies.

What is true regarding testing of theory in a nursing research study? 1. This is not a purpose of nursing research. 2. Studies generally test several theories at one time. 3. An entire theory is rarely tested in a single research study. 4. Theories are only tested in qualitative studies.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: Nursing research is often done for the purpose of testing a theory. Rationale 2: Each study should test only one theory. Rationale 3: This is a true statement. Theories are often broken down into parts, with the parts being tested in different studies. Rationale 4: Theories are tested in qualitative and quantitative studies.

There is concern that interest in Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) has contributed to a decline in qualitative studies in nursing. To what is this decline attributed? 1. Nurse researchers are not interested in conducting qualitative research. 2. Findings of qualitative studies are not applicable to nursing practice. 3. Qualitative researchers are not communicating strategies for utilizing study findings. 4. Qualitative research does not examine phenomena of interest to nurses.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: Nursing's traditional focus is on the individual, which is consistent with qualitative research. Rationale 2: Nursing's focus is on the individual and the individual's situation, which make the findings of qualitative research very applicable to nursing practice. Rationale 3: Qualitative research will contribute to EBP when qualitative research communicates study findings and their utilization in nursing practice. Rationale 4: It is the very phenomena that are of interest to nurses that are examined by qualitative research.

Which statement, made by a research student, indicates understanding of the use of theoretical or conceptual frameworks in nursing research? 1. "A theoretical or conceptual framework is always necessary when conducting qualitative research." 2. "Theoretical and conceptual frameworks are not necessary for nursing research unless it is clinical research." 3. "A theoretical or conceptual framework is always necessary when conducting quantitative research." 4. "A theoretical or conceptual framework is always necessary when conducting either quantitative or qualitative research."

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: Qualitative research often does not include a theoretical or conceptual framework. Rationale 2: Quantitative research should always include a theoretical framework whether or not the study pertains to clinical research. Rationale 3: A framework for a research study helps to organize the study and provides a context for the interpretation of the study findings. Either a theoretical or a conceptual framework should be used in all quantitative studies. Rationale 4: Although theoretical or conceptual frameworks are necessary for quantitative research, they are often not used in qualitative research.

The nurse researcher is writing the operational definition of a study variable. What information should be included in this definition? 1. How the variable relates to the hypothesis. 2. How the variable is defined in the study. 3. How the variable will be measured in a study. 4. How the variable relates to the specific group to be studied.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: The hypothesis does not include the operational definition of the variables. Rationale 2: This is the conceptual definition. Rationale 3: An operational definition indicates how a variable will be observed or measured in a study. Rationale 4: This is not the purpose of the operational definition.

What type of hypothesis is "Postoperative pediatric patients who use TENS (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation) will have a different level of pain than pediatric postoperative patients who do not use TENS"? 1. Simple and directional. 2. Complex and directional. 3. Simple and nondirectional. 4. Complex and nondirectional.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: The hypothesis tests the relationship between one independent and one dependent variable, so it is simple; but it states pain level will be different between the groups but does not specify the difference, so it is nondirectional. Rationale 2: The hypothesis tests the relationship between one independent and one dependent variable, so it is simple, not complex; it states pain level will be different between the groups but does not specify the difference, so it is nondirectional. Rationale 3: The hypothesis tests the relationship between one independent and one dependent variable, so it is simple; it states pain level will be different between the groups but does not specify the difference, so it is nondirectional. Rationale 4: The hypothesis tests the relationship between one independent and one dependent variable, so it is simple, not complex; it states pain level will be different between the groups but does not specify the difference, so it is nondirectional.

How do qualitative researchers tend to view persons and their world? 1. As dualistic. 2. As homeostatic. 3. As holistic. 4. As static.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: The qualitative researcher generally views people as multifaceted. Rationale 2: The qualitative researcher knows that people change throughout their existence in response to life events. Rationale 3: The holistic nature of the person is a value system more consistent with the qualitative research philosophy. Rationale 4: The qualitative researcher knows that people change throughout their existence in response to life events.

The nursing student has been assigned to read an article describing "mixed methods" research as it applies to nursing. What can the student expect the article to discuss? 1. Using more than one sampling strategy in a single study. 2. Having a theoretical framework that includes more than one theory as a base for a study. 3. Using both survey completion and face-to-face interviewing in one study. 4. Having more than one person conduct the interviews in a qualitative study.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: This is triangulation. Rationale 2: This is triangulation. Rationale 3: Mixed methods refers to the use of both quantitative (survey completion) and qualitative (interviewing) methods in one survey. Rationale 4: This is not mixed method.

Select the topic that is most representative of qualitative phenomenological studies. 1. Personal control and rehabilitation of cardiac clients. 2. Health practices of the Hmong population. 3. The lived experience of women who have maintained a weight loss of 100 pounds for five years. 4. Experiences of bariatric nurses before and after introduction of the electronic lift.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: This option is most representative of grounded theory studies. Rationale 2: This topic is most representative of ethnographic studies. Rationale 3: This topic is correct because phenomenological studies examine human experiences through the descriptions that are provided by the people involved. Rationale 4: This topic is most representative of historical research.

Which hypothesis is correctly stated? 1. There will be a positive relationship between the amount of time nurses spend in patient rooms and the number of times patients use their call lights. 2. Nurses' level of job satisfaction will influence their length of employment. 3. Patients who use guided imagery have less pain than patients who do not use guided imagery. 4. Is there a relationship between anxiety and ability to learn in new graduate nurses during their orientation?

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: This statement is written in future tense. Hypotheses are written in present tense. Rationale 2: This hypothesis is not empirically testable as written. What does "will influence" mean? Rationale 3: This hypothesis is written in the present tense, is empirically testable, and contains the variable and the population. Rationale 4: Hypotheses are written as declarative statements, not questions.

Select the article title that most likely reports a participatory action research study. 1. Lived Experiences of Lower Limb Amputees. 2. Nurses Description of ICU Practices Before and After the Discovery of AIDS. 3. Nurse and Community Development and Assessment of a Health Program. 4. Management of Grief Associated with Delivery of a Premature Infant.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: This title suggests a phenomenological study. Rationale 2: This title suggests a historical approach to defining the changing practices of professional nurses. Rationale 3: This title suggests collaboration between researcher and participants in all steps of the research, the hallmark of participatory action research. Rationale 4: This title suggests a phenomenological study.

A nurse is reading a research study that is based upon Martha Rogers' Science of Unitary Being model. The nurse notices that Rogers is not listed in the article references. How should the nurse interpret this finding? 1. This is likely a simple error of omission in the reference. 2. The researcher erroneously identified Martha Rogers as the developer of that model. 3. The researcher used secondary sources to learn about Rogers' theory. 4. Since Martha Rogers is no longer living, it is not necessary to include her in the reference list.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: This would be a huge mistake in a reference list and is likely not what happened. Rationale 2: Martha Rogers is the developer of the model. Rationale 3: Martha Rogers' theory is well integrated and well-known in nursing research. It is likely this researcher used secondary sources to learn about the model. Rationale 4: The researcher should reference all works used, whether the author is living or dead.

The principle investigator on a new research project tells the research assistant that the project will include triangulation. For what should the research assistant prepare? 1. Multiple suggestions for uses of the research findings. 2. Collecting data on more than one variable in the study. 3. Using multiple methods in the research study. 4. Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration in the study.

Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: Triangulation does not involve multiple suggestions for the uses of research findings. Rationale 2: Triangulation does not mean collecting data on more than one variable in the study. Rationale 3: Triangulation is the use of more than one technique/strategy in the same study. Rationale 4: Triangulation is not necessarily associated with interdisciplinary collaboration in research.

Which statement(s) regarding historical research in nursing is (are) true? Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. Historical research is of interest only to doctoral students completing dissertations. 2. Primary sources for historical information are rare. 3. Linking past events to future happenings is the primary reason for conducting historical research. 4. Historical research is not recognized as valid research, but is just reporting on the past. 5. Most historical research has been done on historical figures rather than on the practice of nursing.

Correct Answer: 3,5 Rationale 1: Whereas much of this research has been completed by doctoral students, interest in historical research is not limited to those nurses. Rationale 2: There are many examples of primary sources: oral histories, written records, diaries, eyewitnesses, pictorial sources, and physical evidence. Rationale 3: Whereas many readers are simply interested in reading about the past, the primary reason for any nursing research is to improve the provision of nursing services. Applying knowledge of past events to current happenings is a good way to make use of the work of those nurses who have gone before us. Rationale 4: Historical research is a valid type of nursing research. Rationale 5: This is a true statement. More research into the actual historical practice of nursing is needed.

The nurse researcher is considering the relationship between the two variables in a study. What predicts this relationship? 1. A theory. 2. A concept. 3. A proposition. 4. A hypothesis.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: A theory is a set of interrelated constructs (concepts), definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among variables, with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena. Rationale 2: A concept is a word picture or mental idea of a phenomenon. Rationale 3: A proposition is a statement or assertion of the relationship between concepts, not variables. Rationale 4: A hypothesis is written to predict the relationship between the variables in the study.

Which research design is used by the Gallup Poll to obtain information about large numbers of people through sampling a small percentage of the total groups? 1. Comparative study design. 2. One shot case study. 3. Time-series study design. 4. Survey study design.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: Comparative studies examine the differences between intact groups on some dependent variable of interest. Rationale 2: In a one-shot case study, a single group is exposed to an experimental treatment and observed after the treatment. Rationale 3: In a time-series design, the researcher periodically observes or measures the subjects. The experimental treatment is administered between two of the observations. Rationale 4: Survey design is used to gather data by questionnaire from smaller numbers to represent data indicative of a larger population.

The nurse researcher's study design includes an experimental group and a control group. After the study begins, the researcher finds that 60% of the experimental group and 75% of the control group have dropped out of the study. Because of the internal threat of mortality, the researcher abandons the study. In future studies what could the researcher do to help prevent this problem? 1. Have the participants sign a pledge to continue in the project prior to inclusion in the study group. 2. Call each of the participants who dropped out and insist that each honors his or her commitment to the study. 3. Allow a longer time for the study. 4. Try to establish a relationship with the participants.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: For ethical reasons, no participants can be forced to remain in a study. Rationale 2: For ethical reasons, no participants can be forced to remain in a study. Rationale 3: Usually the threat of mortality is lessened by shorter studies. Rationale 4: Helping the participants understand the value of their participation may be easier to achieve if the researcher has established a relationship with the study subjects.

The students in a research class are investigating the use of Internet search engines. If these students want their search to result in the largest selection of files, which search engine should they use? 1. Google. 2. Lycos. 3. Yahoo. 4. Dogpile.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: Google is a search engine, but not a mega search engine. Rationale 2: Lycos is a search engine, but not a mega search engine. Rationale 3: Yahoo is a search engine, but not a mega search engine. Rationale 4: Mega search engines combine results from several search engines. Dogpile is a mega search engine.

The researcher is planning the work associated with a new project. In which stage of the project should the researcher consider the theoretical or conceptual framework? 1. In the early stages. 2. In the middle stages. 3. In the late stages. 4. In the post study analysis phase.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: In the early stages of a research project, the researcher should consider the theoretical or conceptual framework for the study. This framework is usually determined after a thorough review of the literature. The framework helps organize the study and provides a context for the interpretation of the study findings. Rationale 2: Since this framework provides the foundation for the study, it should be considered in the early stages of the work. Rationale 3: Since this framework provides the foundation for the study, it should be considered in the early stages of the work. Rationale 4: Since this framework provides the foundation for the study, it should be considered in the early stages of the work.

A study is conducted to determine whether the implementation of a new scheduling pattern has a positive effect on the job satisfaction of staff nurses. Nurses are randomly assigned to the experimental group (new scheduling pattern) or comparison group ("usual" scheduling pattern). This is an example of which type of study? 1. Pre-experimental study. 2. Quasi-experimental study. 3. Comparative study. 4. Experimental study.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: Pre-experimental designs are those experimental designs that are weak and in which the researcher has little control over the research. This is not the case in this study. Rationale 2: Quasi-experimental designs are those in which there is either no comparison group or subjects are not randomly assigned to a group. That is not the case in this study. Rationale 3: The difference between an experimental study and a comparative study lies in the researcher's ability to manipulate the independent variable. In comparative studies, there is no manipulation of the independent variable. That is not the case in this study. Rationale 4: The study contains all 3 elements of experimental design: 1) manipulation of an independent variable; 2) control/comparison group; 3) random assignment of subjects to groups.

The study hypothesis is, "Premature infants who receive skin-to-skin tactile stimulation gain weight at a more rapid rate than premature infants who do not receive skin-to-skin tactile stimulation." What is the independent variable? 1. Premature infants. 2. Weight gain. 3. Rapid weight gain. 4. Skin-to-skin tactile stimulation.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: Premature infants are the study population. Rationale 2: Weight gain is the dependent variable. Rationale 3: Rapid weight gain may be an outcome of the independent variable intervention. Rationale 4: The presumed cause, the treatment or intervention, is skin-to-skin stimulation.

A nurse researcher who has just completed a qualitative study reads a "call for posters" announcement from a national nursing organization. What should this researcher consider prior to responding to this call? 1. National nursing organizations seldom accept posters done on qualitative studies. 2. The only recognized venue for dissemination of qualitative research findings is through formal presentation as a speaker. 3. The number of study participants in qualitative research is usually so small that there is not enough data to support the poster format. 4. The written research report for a journal is the best way to reach large numbers of nurses.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: Qualitative studies are often accepted by national organizations for presentation in a variety of formats Rationale 2: This is not the only accepted venue for dissemination of qualitative research. Rationale 3: The opposite is often the case in that, although the number of study participants may be small, the amount of data collected can be overwhelming to a poster. Rationale 4: This is the best way to reach large numbers of nurses as a relatively small percentage of the nurses who might be interested in the study are likely to attend the conference.

The nurse researcher has collected data from one participant and is now analyzing that data. Which type of study is the researcher likely conducting? 1. Quantitative. 2. Correlational. 3. Methodological. 4. Qualitative.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: Quantitative research data are not analyzed until data collection is complete. Rationale 2: Correlational and methodological studies are quantitative studies so data analysis occurs after all data are collected. Rationale 3: Correlational and methodological studies are quantitative studies so data analysis occurs after all data are collected. Rationale 4: Data analysis in qualitative research begins once data collection begins. The researcher also begins interpreting data as data are collected.

A nurse conducted a study to examine the relationship between incidence of medication errors and the years of experience among medication nurses. Which result of the analysis of study data indicates the strongest inverse relationship? 1. R = -24 2. R = +.92 3. R = +.26 4. R = -.89

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: R = -24 indicates an inverse relationship, but is a weak relationship. Rationale 2: R = +.92 indicates a strong relationship, but not an inverse relationship. Rationale 3: R = +.26 indicates a weak relationship in which both variables changed in the same direction. Rationale 4: R = -.89 indicates the strongest inverse relationship.

The student researcher is puzzled by the significance of key words while searching for research articles. What instruction, provided by the librarian, will help this student? 1. Keywords are listed in alphabetical order by authors' last names. 2. Keywords are listed in chronological order. 3. Keywords are listed in reverse chronological order. 4. Keywords are listed in order of relevance to the topic.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: Results of key word searches are not reported alphabetically. Rationale 2: Results of key word searches are not reported in chronological order. Rationale 3: Results of key word searches are not reported in reverse chronological order. Rationale 4: Results of key word searches are reported by relevance to the topic.

Which topic suggests the qualitative research approach most typically used by nurse researchers? 1. Nurse and patient management of pain associated with bone cancer. 2. Lived experiences of mothers of stillborn infants. 3. Rites associated with female puberty among natives of India. 4. Effect of tooth brushing three times per day on rates of nosocomial pneumonia in ventilated clients.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: The most typical approach to studying this topic is the case study approach. Nurse researchers could use the approach, but it is more typically used by the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, law, and medicine. Rationale 2: This topic suggests a phenomenological study. Nurse researchers could use the approach, but it is more typically used by the discipline of philosophy. Rationale 3: This topic suggests an ethnographic study. Nurse researchers could use the approach, but it is more typically used by the discipline of anthropology. Rationale 4: This topic suggests action research, which is typical of nurse researchers. Nurse researchers could use any qualitative approach, but action research has a goal of improving nursing practice for benefit of the client.

The hypothesis "Elderly patients with social support have fewer somatic complaints and fewer episodes of depression than elderly who do not have social support" is what kind of hypothesis? 1. Null. 2. Simple and directional. 3. Complex and nondirectional. 4. Complex and directional.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: The null hypothesis predicts that there is no relationship between variables. This hypothesis states one group will have fewer somatic complaints and episodes of depression than another. Rationale 2: Since this hypothesis has one independent (social support) and two dependent (somatic complaints and episodes of depression) variables, it is complex. Rationale 3: This hypothesis is complex, but it states one group will have fewer episodes of depression, so it is also directional. Rationale 4: The hypothesis has one independent and two dependent variables, so it is complex; it states one group will have fewer episodes of depression, so it is also directional.

What is true of replication studies in nursing? 1. Many of the research studies done in nursing have been replicated numerous times. 2. Replicating another's study is the same as plagiarizing his or her work. 3. Only beginning researchers do replication studies. 4. Replication studies are necessary for validation of nursing theory.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: There are few replicated studies in nursing as compared to the amount in other disciplines. Rationale 2: The researcher who is replicating a study does so to help validate or to refute the findings of the first study. This is a standard research method and is not considered plagiarizing. Rationale 3: Replications studies are done by beginning researchers and experienced researchers. Rationale 4: The purpose of replicating a study is to validate its findings with a different sample of the population.

A nursing student is learning the difference between theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Which statement, if made by the student, indicates the need for further teaching? 1. A theoretical framework presents a broad, general explanation of the relationships between the concepts of interest in a research study. 2. A conceptual framework helps to explain the relationship between concepts. 3. A conceptual framework is a less well-developed structure than a theoretical framework but may serve as the impetus for the formulation of a theory. 4. A theoretical framework is based on many existing theories.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: This is a correct description of a theoretical framework; therefore, it demonstrates that the student has knowledge of the topic. Rationale 2: This is a correct description of a theoretical framework; therefore, it demonstrates that the student has knowledge of the topic. Rationale 3: This is a correct description of a theoretical framework; therefore, it demonstrates that the student has knowledge of the topic. Rationale 4: A theoretical framework is based on one existing theory, and not many. A conceptual framework helps to explain the relationship between concepts. Rather than being based on one theory, this type of framework links concepts selected from several theories, from previous research results, or from the researcher's own experiences.

Which of the following studies could be easily replicated? 1. Parents living with a premature infant. 2. Fathers' experiences in the delivery room. 3. Caring for a demented spouse. 4. Various strategies for pain relief.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: This is a qualitative study. Qualitative studies are not replicated because knowledge of findings of one study could bias the results of another. In qualitative research each situation is unique. Rationale 2: This is a qualitative study. Qualitative studies are not replicated because knowledge of findings of one study could bias the results of another. In qualitative research each situation is unique. Rationale 3: This is a qualitative study. Qualitative studies are not replicated because knowledge of findings of one study could bias the results of another. In qualitative research each situation is unique. Rationale 4: This is a quantitative study, so it would be easier to replicate. Qualitative studies are not replicated.

The nurse is reading a qualitative research report that asks, "Are post-myocardial infarction clients more interested in the length of their remaining life or in the quality of their remaining life?" What is the most important question for the nurse to ask about this study? 1. How clearly is the process of data collection presented in the study? 2. Why didn't the researcher use a quantitative approach? 3. How clearly is the process of data analysis presented in the study? 4. Are data provided to answer the research question?

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: This is an important consideration, but not as important as whether data are provided to answer the question. Rationale 2: This subject lends itself better to a qualitative approach. Rationale 3: This is an important consideration, but not as important as whether data are provided to answer the question. Rationale 4: Although all of the answer options are important questions to ask when reading research, the most important consideration is whether the data are provided to answer the research question

Of the following topical phrases, which is most appropriate for a research study? 1. The birth rate in a city nine months after a power failure. 2. The time that a nurse spends with a client in isolation as compared with the time that a nurse spends with a client who is not in isolation precautions. 3. The effectiveness of caring behaviors as the most significant influence on the quality of a newly graduated nurse's orientation experience. 4. The accuracy of axillary temperatures as compared with rectal temperatures of infants.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: This is not an appropriate topic for a research study because a simple description of rate in this case would likely not be generalizable enough to warrant the study. Further, how would nursing practice or knowledge benefit from the finding? Rationale 2: This topic is not appropriate for a research study because it would have little impact on the practice of nursing. Rationale 3: This is not an appropriate topic for research because it is unethical to purposely withhold any form of caring behavior in any setting. Rationale 4: This topic is ethical, feasible, and significant to nursing practice.

The nurse researcher has obtained information from an Internet site. What information should the researcher obtain in order to correctly cite this search? 1. The same information used to reference a published journal article. 2. The domain and the Web site address. 3. The date the Web page was placed on the Internet. 4. The date the page was viewed and its exact location on the Web.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: This is not sufficient information for an Internet site. Rationale 2: This is important information, but the date retrieved should also be included. Rationale 3: The date the information was retrieved from the Web is more important than the date it was placed on the Web. Rationale 4: For information obtained from the Web, the date when the material was viewed as well as its location on the Web should be provided.

The nurse researcher is looking for the most current journal information on a study topic to begin the review of literature. Which Web site should the nurse access? 1. www.nsna.org 2. Juns.nursing.arizona.edu 3. Ejournals.com 4. Nursingcenter.com

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: This site may include research material, but will not have the contents of 50 current nursing journals. Rationale 2: This site may include research material, but will not have the contents of 50 current nursing journals. Rationale 3: This site may include research material, but will not have the contents of 50 current nursing journals. Rationale 4: Nursingcenter.com is a recent resource that makes available the table of contents for 50 current nursing journals. This allows one to preview the most current published literature.

Which title suggests that the nursing research study focuses on the subjective nature of the human experience, which is characteristic of qualitative research methods? 1. The Relationship of Exercise Habits and the Use of Pharmacologic Intervention in the Treatment of Women Experiencing Depression. 2. Incidence of Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome in Former Army Nurses Who Served in Vietnam. 3. The Difference in Pre-NCLEX Anxiety Levels of Undergraduate Nursing Students Who Have Taken a Review Course Compared to Undergraduate Nursing Students Who Have Not. 4. Mobility and Perception of Quality of Life in Nursing Home Residents.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: This title suggests that variables are going to be manipulated, which is characteristic of quantitative research methods. Rationale 2: This title suggests measurement of variables, which is characteristic of quantitative research methods. Rationale 3: This title suggests measurement of variables, which is characteristic of quantitative research methods. Rationale 4: This title suggests a grounded theory approach, which is a qualitative research design.

Which of the following studies would test a hypothesis? 1. A study on the lived experience of having a myocardial infarction. 2. A study investigating the use of triangulation in mixed method nursing research. 3. A study that investigates the design of grading tools used by clinical nursing faculty. 4. A study that investigates the development of nosocomial urinary tract infection in catheterized and non-catheterized patients.

Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: This topic is better suited for qualitative research in which hypotheses are not used. Rationale 2: Methodological studies are nonexperimental, so a hypothesis is not being tested. Rationale 3: Descriptive studies are nonexperimental, so a hypothesis is not being tested. Rationale 4: Hypotheses are appropriate for studies that examine relationships between variables, in this case, being catheterized and not being catheterized.

The nurse wishes to critique the conceptual framework of a recently published study. Place the steps of this process in correct order. Choice 1. Determine if the theory is from nursing or from another discipline. Choice 2. Determine if there is a clear explanation of the relationship between the concepts presented in the study. Choice 3. Determine if the study findings support the study framework. Choice 4. Determine if a framework for the study was identified. Choice 5. Determine if the theory is appropriate for the study. Choice 6. Determine if the theoretical concepts presented have operational definitions outlined in the study.

Correct Answer: 4,1,5,2,6,3 Rationale 1: After identifying the theory, it is important to know if it is a nursing theory or a theory borrowed by nursing. Rationale 2: The concepts should be clearly presented and their relationship should be clearly described. Rationale 3: The last step in this critique is determining if the findings of the study support the framework chosen. Rationale 4: The first step of this critique is identifying the framework if it exists. Rationale 5: Appropriateness of the theory for the study is the next step. Rationale 6: Once the concepts are identified and their relationship described, the researcher should offer operational definitions for the concepts.

Is currency important

Depending on your topic, you might want to limit your search to the past five or 10 years. Remember that currency is important but search restudies I think cover a significant time.

Previous Research

One disadvantage of using a personal experience as the resource of research problems is that this practice frequently leads to a large number of small, unrelated studies, in which there is a limited generalizability of the study results. For some reason the idea of replication seems to carry a negative connotation. It is quite possible that nurse's reluctance to replicate studies is related to this earlier socialization process; however, the replication of a previous study does not always imply plagiarism. Using another researcher's methodology, versus using that researchers' exact words to report the results of the replication study, does not constitute plagiarism, which is often referred to as a form of academic dishonesty

Ethical Issues

One of the most important considerations in a study concerns the ethical aspect of the project. It is the responsibility of the researcher to guarantee to the best of their ability that their research is conducted in an ethical manner. Investigators must be familiar with ethical guidelines of the federal government, professional organizations, and specific institutions where research is to be conducted. Any research conducted by most universities and institutions on human participants requires completion of human subjects' protections training regarding the rights and protections of the study participants

Existing theories

One type of research that is desperately needed and nursing is the type of research that tests existing theories. If an existing theory is used in a research study, a specific propositional statement or statements from the theory must be isolated. Generally, and entire theory is not tested; only a part or parts of the theory are subjected to testing in the clinical situation. The testing of an existing theory, or deductive research, is definitely needed in nursing. Most researchers, however, begin with a problem that has personal relevance in their immediate work environment

The nurse researcher has discovered a relevant print research article. What information should the nurse record from this article? Standard Text: Select all that apply. 1. The study problem. 2. Methodology used in the study. 3. Findings from the study. 4. The date the nurse found the article. 5. The type of sample used in the article.

Question 15 Type: MCMA Correct Answer: 1,2,3,5 Rationale 1: This is important information to record. Rationale 2: This is important information to record. Rationale 3: This is important information to record. Rationale 4: This would be true if the article was found on the Web. Rationale 5: This is important information to record.

Not all nurses can conduct research because

Research is generally conducted by nurses who have received a Vance educational preparation concerning research design, methodology, and data analysis. However, beginning research skills should be learned at the undergraduate level.

Secondary source

a summary or description of a research study written by someone other than the study investigators. A secondary source may review or compare more than one research study. The beginning researcher may be tempted to rely on secondary sources because summaries of studies or theories are easier to read and understand than the original works or primary source. However, the original or primary source should be read whenever possible. Secondary sources may provide valuable insights into material but there is always a risk that the author of a secondary source might interpret information differently from the original researcher

Databases

databases index journal articles, dissertations, research reviews, and many other literature sources both published and unpublished. Some data bases only address specific topics while others are multidisciplinary. Most of the databases are electronically but you can still be found as print indexes or microforms. Many data bases will link directly to full-text sources.

Catalogs

catalogs index the print and electronic holdings of library's or organizations. Most catalogs are available online. Catalogs contain alphabetical listings of books, multimedia, journals, and other library holdings under several different categories such as title, author, subject heading, and keyword. Catalogs give information on how or where to access the sources. You may find a link that leads you to an online book, journal article, or movie.

Population

complete set of individuals or objects that possess some common characteristics of interest to the researcher

Cost for feasibility of a study

all research projects cost money; Some studies are more expensive than others. The researcher must consider, realistically, the financial resources available.

Primary source

an account of a research study written by the original investigator or investigators. Primary sources for research studies are frequently found in journal articles

Ovid Nursing Database

an institutional subscription database, includes full text content from current journals throughout Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, combined with a nursing subset of Medline. (Joanna briggs institute)

Scopus

and abstract and citation database of scientific journals, books, and conference proceedings. It is objective to deliver a comprehensive overview of the worlds research output in the fields of science, technology, medicine, social sciences, and arts and humanities.

Medline Databases

available through the national Library of medicine, provide access to journals in the life sciences, and a concentration of bio medicine. It also includes information for nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy

Target population

called the universe, is made up of the group of people or objects to which the researcher wishes to generalize the findings of the study

Personal experiences

can be based on something we have observed in nursing practice that was a source of concern. From your personal experiences an observation you may easily identify a topic for study

Grey literature

defined as "that which is produced on all levels of government, academics, business and industry in print, and electronic formats, but which is not controlled by commercial publishers." Grey literature has emerged from being considered simply interesting or supporting information to being recognized as an essential part of research data.

Interrogative sentence form

do use of a question format to narrow down the research problem seems to be the clearest way to identify the problem area of a study. When questions are asked, answers are sought. There are two ways of expressing the same study problem. 1. Declarative form 2. Interrogative form`. The question format seems to demand an answer more than the decorative form. A research question should always be stated in a complete and Grammatically correct sentence. It should be stated in such a manner that the research consumer can read it, understand it, and respond to it.

Two variable studies

generally nursing research is conducted with more than one variable. When two variable studies are examined, the study may be called a bivariate study. Generally, one of the variables is called the independent variable, and the other is the dependent variable. The research question might be "is there a correlation between the number of sources of stress reported finances in a cardiac intensive care unit and the nurses desire to leave employment in the cardiac intensive care unit?" In this question, the independent variable is the number of reported sources of stress and the dependent variable is the desire to leave employment in the cardiac intensive care unit. Occasionally in a correlational Study, and independent and dependent variable or not identifiable because it is not possible to determine which variables influence in the other variable.

Operational definition

indicates how a variable will be observed or measured (Ex anxiety)

Pilot study

involves a miniature trial version of the planned study. Sometimes doing a pilot study can prevent the researcher from conducting a large-scale study that might have little value. Can allow necessary revisions to the plan for a larger study should be made

Interrogative form

is there a correlation or relationship between the number of hours that Baccalaureate nursing students have studied and their anxiety levels before the midterm exam?

Peer support for feasibility of a study

many research ideas have never been developed because potential researchers received no support for their ideas from peers.

Administrative support for feasibility of a study

many research projects requires administrative support. Nurses working in healthcare institutions, such as hospitals, may seek release time to conduct research or ask for funds to support a proposed project. The nurse researcher will find a very difficult to conduct research independently, without the support of colleagues, mentors, and administration.

The population should be narrowed down from nurses, students, and patients to

neonatal intensive care unit nurses, baccalaureate nursing students, and patients with a recent diagnosis of diabetes

Science direct

provide abstracting and indexing for scientific technical and mechanical peer review journals and books. It is a multidisciplinary database that includes nursing, allied health, and other health science sources

independent variable

the cause or the variable thought to influence the dependent variable

Dependent variable

the effect or the variable influenced by the researcher's manipulation (control) of the independent variable

Accessible population

the group that is actually available for study by the researcher

Non-experimental study

the investigator collects data without actively manipulating any variable

Experimental study

the investigator plays an active role and has more control over the research situation than in a nonexperimental study

Initial task of the reader of a research article is

to determine the problem of the study. Locate the problem statement, purpose statement, or research question

Limitations of a study

uncontrolled variables that may affect the study results and limit the generalizability of the findings.

Extraneous variables

variables over which the researcher either has no control or chooses not to exercise control

Multiple variable studies

whenever more than two variables are examined in a study, the research can be considered a multiple variable, or multivariate study. For example, a researcher my conduct a study to determine why patients do not take their medications as directed after their discharge. Educational levels might be a consideration as an influential factor, and the researcher may believe that the patient's with higher levels of education will be more compliant with the medical regimen then patience of low levels of education. It likely the results of the study will not support this belief. Why? Many factors may be influencing the persons medication compliance behavior.