Ch 2, 3, 8

A nurse researcher is outlining a premise for an evidence-based project. The researcher should plan to search within how many years in the literature for this project? 3 years 5 years 7 years 15 years

2 5 years Typically, it is preferable to review the most recent 5 years of literature. Research conducted more than 3 years ago is likely to be relevant currently. There is no expectation of a search as far back as 7 years unless it is indicated by the subject of the review. A review of the literature is rarely exhaustive in nature

A nurse researcher chooses to use a secondary source in a research study. What is an example of such a source? A chapter in a book critiquing research conducted on visual impairment in diabetics. A state-specific Nurse Practice Act, describing that state's scope of practice for nurses. A doctoral dissertation that studied depression in adolescents. A published research report from 10 years ago, written by the original researcher.

1 A chapter in a book critiquing research conducted on visual impairment in diabetics. Because the chapter critiques a research study and is not an original research study, it is a secondary source of that study. The original source for the scope of practice for nurses in a specific state is their Nurse Practice Act. A doctoral dissertation is an original source of work. The report is the primary source of the study, regardless of the age of the study.

Which criteria are used to judge the soundness of a stated research question? (Select all that apply.) A relationship between two or more variables An operational definition of each variable The nature of the population being tested The possibility of empirical testing

1 A relationship between two or more variables 3 The nature of the population being tested 4 The possibility of empirical testing The research question must seek to discover a relationship between two or more variables. The research question must include the nature of the population being tested. The research question must include the possibility of empirical testing. Operational definitions are not included in the research question.

The nurse researcher strives for accuracy in the research design for which purpose? All aspects of the study logically flow from the research question. All mediating variables have been controlled. Gaps in the literature have been identified. The timing of data collection was the same for each subject.

1 All aspects of the study logically flow from the research question. Every step of the research process should flow from the research question. Control of mediating variables refers to holding conditions of the study constant. Identification of gaps of knowledge is one step in establishing objectivity of the research question, not accuracy in the research design. Timing of data collection provides constancy in data collection, not accuracy in research design.

The nurse researcher is reviewing databases for information. The researcher finds a database that provides full text access to both nursing and allied health information, and is a useful starting point for researchers. Which source has the researcher most likely accessed? CINAHL PLUS with full text (EBSCO) PubMed PsycINFO Education Source with ERIC

1 CINAHL PLUS with full text (EBSCO) CINAHL PLUS is a full text database for nursing and allied health widely used by nursing and health care; it is a useful starting point for researchers.

The nurse develops the following hypothesis: Elderly women receive less aggressive treatment for breast cancer than do younger women. Which variable would be considered the dependent variable? Degree of treatment received Age of the patient Type of cancer being treated Use of inpatient treatment

1 Degree of treatment received The degree of treatment received is considered the dependent variable. The age of the patient would be the independent variable. The type of cancer being treated would be an extraneous variable in this case. The use of inpatient treatment would be an extraneous variable in this case.

The nurse is using an electronic database sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The nurse is most likely using which database? ERIC MEDLINE EMBASE CINAHL

1 ERIC ERIC is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. MEDLINE is produced by the National Library of Medicine. EMBASE indexes an additional 5 million records not covered on MEDLINE. CINAHL is available as part of the EBSCO online service.

What must occur for the nurse researcher to randomly select a sample of subjects? Each subject should have an equal chance of being selected. Subjects who might die or leave the study voluntarily should be eliminated. Subjects should be grouped according to homogeneity. Each subject should be selected on the basis of his or her ability to participate.

1 Each subject should have an equal chance of being selected. Each subject in the target population must have an equal chance of being selected. There is no way of predicting which subjects might leave the study. Grouping subjects according to homogeneity introduces new independent variables into the study. Selecting participants on the basis of their ability to participate is called "convenience sampling" and introduces potential bias into the study.

A research question can be converted into a declarative statement that predicts an expected outcome through the use of what? Hypothesis Variable Theory Operational definition

1 Hypothesis A hypothesis converts a research question into a statement that predicts an outcome. A variable is a defined concept of concern in a study. A theory is a set of concepts that present a systematic view of phenomena. An operational definition is the measurement used to observe or measure a variable.

What is a characteristic of a statistical hypothesis? It is a null hypothesis. It predicts a positive relationship among variables. It is a complex hypothesis. It describes data-analysis methods.

1 It is a null hypothesis. Statistical hypotheses, called null hypotheses, state that there is no relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Statistical hypotheses are no more complex than other types of hypotheses. Hypotheses do not describe data-analysis methods.

What is a characteristic of a directional hypothesis? It specifies the expected relationship between dependent and independent variables. It describes causality of the dependent variable on the independent variable. It is one of several hypotheses arising from a complex research question. It is more objective and impartial than nondirectional hypotheses.

1 It specifies the expected relationship between dependent and independent variables. A directional hypothesis predicts the nature of the relationship between variables. The dependent variable is acted on by the independent variable. Hypotheses arising from a complex research question may or may not be directional. Nondirectional hypotheses tend to be more objective and impartial because the researcher is not biased toward a particular outcome.

A researcher studies the differences in IQ between girls and boys. The researcher tests cohorts of girls and boys in the third grade and then tests the same girls and boys when they are in the sixth grade. Which are threats to internal validity in this study? (Select all that apply.) Maturation History Testing Measurement effects

1 Maturation 4 Testing Maturation refers to developmental processes within subjects over time. Testing refers to the influence on subjects' responses caused by taking the same test repeatedly. History refers to events that occur outside the experimental setting. Measurement effects refer to the effect of a pretest on the generalizability of the study findings.

The nurse researcher is writing a clinical question. What do elements of such a question include? (Select all that apply.) Population Intervention Outcome Evaluation

1 Population 2 Intervention 3 Outcome "Population" is the first element of a clinical question. "Intervention" is the second element of a clinical question. "Outcome" is the third element of a clinical question. "Evaluation" is not considered one of the elements of a clinical question.

Extraneous variables can be controlled by what? (Select all that apply.) Randomly selecting subjects Using a homogeneous sample Manipulating the dependent variable Conducting a pilot test

1 Randomly selecting subjects 2 Using a homogeneous sample Randomization is a means of controlling extraneous variables. Homogeneity of the sample is a means of controlling extraneous variables. The dependent variable is not manipulated by the researcher. The pilot test demonstrates the pragmatism of the research design.

The nurse researcher notes that the hypothesis for a research study states that there is no relationship between the dependent and independent variables. This is most commonly known as (Select all that apply.) Statistical hypothesis Directional hypothesis Null hypothesis Nondirectional hypothesis

1 Statistical hypothesis 3 Null hypothesis A statistical hypothesis, also known as a null hypothesis, states that there is no relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

The nurse participating in a research project recognizes which factors are advantages to using directional hypotheses? (Select all that apply.) The indication of the use of a theory base to derive the hypothesis The provision of a specific theoretical frame of reference Assurance that findings will be generalizable The indication of a nonbiased selection of subjects

1 The indication of the use of a theory base to derive the hypothesis 2 The provision of a specific theoretical frame of reference The use of a theoretical framework to derive a hypothesis adds to an existing body of knowledge and lets the reader know that the phenomena under investigation have been critically considered. The use of a theoretical framework to derive a hypothesis lets the reader know that the phenomena under investigation have been critically evaluated. It is the selection of subjects that makes study findings generalizable, not the type of hypothesis used. The type of hypothesis used does not ensure a nonbiased selection of subjects.

The nurse researcher is reviewing websites for evidence-based practice information. The researcher finds a source that allows the researcher to filter by publication type, such as systematic review, guidelines, or evidence-based synopses. Which source has the researcher most likely accessed? Turning Research into Practice Cochrane Collaboration National Guideline Clearinghouse Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library

1 Turning Research into Practice Turning Research into Practice offers a wise sampling of available evidence and ability to filter by publication type (evidence-based synopses, systematic reviews, guidelines).

A nurse researcher is beginning a computer search in a research study. What is important for the nurse to do? Use at least two recognized electronic databases. Start with scholarly nonresearch literature. Read only abstracts from primary sources. Use the fewest keywords possible.

1 Use at least two recognized electronic databases. Using at least two electronic health-related databases such as CINAHL and MEDLINE is recommended. There is no reason to limit the initial search to nonresearch literature. Although skimming abstracts may be a quick way to eliminate studies that are irrelevant, there is no reason to limit the initial search to abstracts or primary sources. Any number of keywords may be used to obtain materials relevant to the study.

Which criteria are used to determine testability of a hypothesis? (Select all that apply.) Use of quantifiable words such as greater than or less than A hypothesis stated in such a way that it can be clearly supported or not supported The use of value-laden words in a hypothesis Data collection efforts that prove the validity of the hypothesis

1 Use of quantifiable words such as greater than or less than 2 A hypothesis stated in such a way that it can be clearly supported or not supported Quantifiable words increase the testability of a hypothesis. The more clearly the hypothesis is stated, the easier it will be to accept or reject it on the basis of study findings. Hypotheses should not have value-laden words. Data collection processes are not part of the criterion used to evaluate the testability of hypotheses.

he nurse researcher is reviewing a clinical question and identifies the group of patients with a particular health care problem that is being studied. This area of the clinical question is the: population intervention comparison outcome

1 population The population is the individual patient or group of patients with a particular condition or health care problem.

During the research process, a hypothesis should be developed by the researcher at what point? Before development of the research question After development of the research question After a research design is determined Before any statistical analysis

2 After development of the research question The hypothesis must be developed after the research question is developed. The hypothesis must be developed before the research design is determined. The hypothesis must be developed much earlier in the process than before statistical analysis.

The nurse researcher is reviewing websites for evidence-based practice information. The researcher finds a free source of government documents that is searchable using PubMed as the search engine. Which source has the researcher most likely accessed? Joanna Briggs Institute Agency for Health Research and Quality National Guideline Clearinghouse Cochrane Collaboration

2 Agency for Health Research and Quality Agency for Health Research and Quality is a free source of government documents that is searchable via PubMed.

In quantitative research, control is used to avoid what? Duplication Bias Randomization Homogeneity

2 Bias The researcher holds conditions of the study uniform to avoid possible impact of bias on the outcome. Duplication is not a relevant term for describing rigor in the research process. Randomization is an aim of quantitative research, not something to be avoided. Homogeneity of subjects is an aim of quantitative research, not something to be avoided.

A student finds most of the articles retrieved during an electronic search of the literature to be least useful. What is the best next step? Use articles obtained because little research was conducted in the area. Change the keywords and do another search. Change the study and focus on the literature review. Use a print index to retrieve older documents.

2 Change the keywords and do another search. The student most likely did not use the keywords most appropriate for retrieval of relevant information. The problem does not lie with the focus of the study. A print index will not likely solve the problem. Although it is possible that there has been little research conducted in the area, another answer is more likely.

The nurse researcher is reviewing a study that has a research question formatted as "Is there a difference in the dependent variable between people who have the independent variable and those who do not have the independent variable?" How is this question formatted? Correlational Comparative Experimental Phenomenology

2 Comparative The comparative research question formats the question as "Is there a difference in the dependent variable between people who have the independent variable and those who do not have the independent variable?"

Similarities between literature reviews conducted for research purposes and literature reviews conducted for research consumers include what? (Select all that apply.) Amount of literature required to be reviewed Degree of critical reading required Importance of conceptual literature Purpose of the review

2 Degree of critical reading required 3 Importance of conceptual literature Reviews conducted for either purpose require a great deal of critical reading. In both instances (reviewing the literature for consumer purposes and reviewing the literature for research purposes), the conceptual literature is an important part of the review. The amount of literature reviewed for consumer purposes is usually less than the amount reviewed for research purposes. Reviews of the literature are conducted slightly differently, depending on the purpose of the review.

Which characteristics of the literature review are required for a quantitative research study? (Select all that apply.) The review is exhaustive and must include all studies conducted in the area. Doctoral dissertations and masters' theses are preferred sources of information. Computer-accessed materials are acceptable. Primary sources are less important than secondary sources.

2 Doctoral dissertations and masters' theses are preferred sources of information. 3 Computer-accessed materials are acceptable. Doctoral dissertations and masters' theses are excellent sources of information. Computer-accessed materials are acceptable. The review is broad and systematic, as well as in-depth, but not usually exhaustive. Primary sources are more important than secondary sources.

The nurse researcher randomly selects subjects in order to do what? Increase the number of participants. Eliminate bias. Prevent contamination of subjects. Control the dependent variables.

2 Eliminate bias Randomization eliminates the bias of extraneous variables. Randomization does not require a certain number of subjects. Randomization cannot prevent contamination of subjects. Dependent variables are not manipulated or controlled by the researcher. Randomization does not require a certain number of subjects.

The nurse researcher writes the research question, "What was it like to be diagnosed with breast cancer?" This is considered to be which type of research question? Comparative quantitative Grounded theory qualitative Correlational quantitative Experimental quantitative

2 Grounded theory qualitative This research question is formatted according to the grounded theory qualitative format. This research question does not have a relationship between a dependent and an independent variable that would be characteristic of a comparative quantitative research question. This research question does not have a relationship between a dependent and an independent variable that would be characteristic of a correlational quantitative research question. This research question does not have a relationship between a dependent and an independent variable that would be characteristic of an experimental quantitative research question.

Which statement is most accurate regarding hypotheses? Hypotheses operationally define the dependent variables. Hypotheses are statements about the relationships among variables. Hypotheses describe the effect of the dependent variable on the independent variable. Hypotheses are formulated after the study is conducted.

2 Hypotheses are statements about the relationships among variables. Hypotheses are statements about the relationships between two or more variables that suggest an answer to the research question. Hypotheses are not concerned with operationally defining the variables involved in the study. The independent variable is not affected or changed by the dependent variable.

Which statement about hypotheses is most accurate? Hypotheses represent the main idea to be studied and are the foundations of research studies. Hypotheses help frame a test of the validity of a theory. Hypotheses provide the means to test nursing theory. A hypothesis can also be called a problem statement.

2 Hypotheses help frame a test of the validity of a theory. Although theories cannot be tested directly, hypotheses provide a bridge between theory and the real world. It is the research question that represents the main idea to be studied. Theories cannot be tested directly. The research question is also called the problem statement.

A researcher decides to use six people to help collect data for a quantitative study. What is a potential threat to the internal validity of this study? History Instrumentation Maturation Selection effects

2 Instrumentation A bias could be introduced if the six people involved in data collection are not consistent. History refers to events that occur outside the experimental setting. Maturation refers to developmental processes within subjects over time. Selection bias occurs if precautions are not used to gain a representative sample.

he nurse researcher is reviewing a clinical question and identifies an aspect of health care that is of interest to the nurse. The clinical question is under which component? Population Intervention Comparison Outcome

2 Intervention The intervention is the particular aspect of health care that is of interest to the nurse.

Administration of an intervention to one group of subjects and not another is an example of what? (Select all that apply.) Homogeneity of subjects Manipulation of the independent variable An experimental study The introduction of bias

2 Manipulation of the independent variable 3 An experimental study The intervention is the independent variable and is controlled through the use of a control group. The use of a control group is part of the classic experimental design. Homogeneity of subjects refers to the control of extraneous variables. Bias is partially controlled with the use of a control group.

A nurse wants to study the effectiveness of meditation for people with anxiety disorder. Which variable would be most relevant to explore in the literature on the topic? Use of meditation during childbirth Meditation techniques found to be effective Pain management for people with various disorders Outcomes of meditation when used by elderly populations

2 Meditation techniques found to be effective To design this study, the nurse should know meditation techniques found to be effective. Use of meditation during childbirth is irrelevant to this study. Although pain management would probably be a confounding variable, "pain management for people with anxiety disorders" is not the best answer. Unless the study population consists of elderly individuals, outcomes of meditation when used by elderly populations would not be relevant.

What is the most efficient tool to use for scholarly literature searches? Web browsers Online journal Search engines Government Web sites

2 Online journal Online journals retrieve complete articles quickly and easily and allow the reviewer to quickly determine the relevancy of the article to the purpose of the review. "Surfing" the Web is not a good use of time for scholarly literature searches. There are more efficient online sources of information. Government Web sites typically are not the primary sources of database reports.

The nurse researcher is reviewing databases for information. The researcher finds a database offering free access to MEDLINE. Which source has the researcher most likely accessed? CINAHL PLUS with full text (EBSCO) PubMed PsycINFO Education Source with ERIC

2 PubMed PubMed provides free access to MEDLINE, NLM's database of citations and abstracts in medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, health care systems, and preclinical sciences, including full text.

What is the best source for a nurse researcher to use when conducting a level I systematic meta-analysis of the literature? An electronic database The Cochrane Statistical Methods Group A doctoral dissertation MEDLINE

2 The Cochrane Statistical Methods Group Rigorous systematic reviews have already been conducted by the Cochrane Group in many areas. Because a systematic review is different than other types of literature reviews and must adhere to a strict scientific design, an electronic database may not be the most efficient tool to use. A systematic review is a meta-review of all relevant primary or original studies to provide the best available objective evidence on a topic. Although doctoral dissertations are included in such a review, this is not the best answer.

Which hypothesis is indicative of an experimental research design? (Select all that apply.) Frequent irrigation of Foley catheters will be positively related to urinary tract infections. The incidence of urinary tract infections will be greater in patients whose Foley catheters are irrigated frequently than in those whose Foley catheters are irrigated less frequently. Frequent irrigation of Foley catheters is associated with urinary tract infections. The incidence of urinary tract infections will not differ between patients with or without Foley catheters.

2 The incidence of urinary tract infections will be greater in patients whose Foley catheters are irrigated frequently than in those whose Foley catheters are irrigated less frequently. 4 The incidence of urinary tract infections will not differ between patients with or without Foley catheters. These hypotheses reflect associative relationship statements and are not experimental.

Once data has been collected, a literature review should be conducted at what point? When the researcher cannot formulate a research question When a qualitative research design was used When there were no significant findings When too many subjects dropped out of the study

2 When a qualitative research design was used A literature review may follow data collection when little is known about the topic under study or when it is logical to do so in a qualitative study. Data collection cannot proceed without a research question. Because research questions must flow from the literature review and data collection is guided by research questions, significance of findings does not precipitate literature reviews. There is no logical relationship between a literature review and sampling difficulties.

The nurse researcher should strive for subjects to demonstrate homogeneity with respect to which variables? Independent Dependent Extraneous Outcome

3 Extraneous In order to control extraneous variables, subjects should be similar. The independent variables are manipulated by the researcher and will not be homogeneous. The dependent variable is expected to change during the study. Outcome variables are expected to change during the study.

For large experimental studies, conducting a pilot study helps the researcher determine what? Degree of internal control over dependent variables Accuracy and objectivity of the design Feasibility of the research design Constancy of data collection

3 Feasibility of the research design A pilot study informs the researcher of pragmatical considerations in conducting the research study. The researcher does not control for dependent variables. Accuracy and objectivity of the design are established before a pilot study is conducted. Constancy of data collection is established during design of the study, before a pilot study.

Which is a characteristic of an independent variable? It is the variable that is predicted to change. It varies with a change in the dependent variable. It is manipulated by the researcher. The dependent variable implies the causal relationship.

3 It is manipulated by the researcher. The independent variable is manipulated by the researcher and has a presumed effect on the dependent variable. It is the dependent variable that is predicted to change. The independent variable is manipulated by the researcher and is identified at the beginning of the study.

The nurse researcher is participating in a quasi-experimental study. Which level is characteristic of the strength of the evidence provided in regard to the results of such a study? Level I Level II Level III Level IV

3 Level III Evidence provided by quasi-experimental studies is level III. Level I evidence is obtained from a systematic review of all randomized, controlled trials. Level II evidence is obtained from at least one well-designed randomized, controlled trial. Level IV evidence is obtained from nonexperimental studies.

The nurse researcher is trying to determine which Boolean operator should be used to combine synonyms for a concept during the literature search. What is the most effective operator to use in this case? And Not Or And Not

3 Or Using "or" in this case is the only choice that will allow the combining of synonyms for a concept during a literature search electronically. Using "and" in this case will not allow the combining of synonyms for a concept. Using "not" in this case will not allow the combining of synonyms for a concept. Using "and not" in this case will not allow the combining of synonyms for a concept

What does scholarly literature include? (Select all that apply.) Research reports reported in primary sources only Conceptual and theoretical literature from primary sources only Published and unpublished reports of research Primary and secondary sources

3 Published and unpublished reports of research 4 Primary and secondary sources Published and unpublished reports of research are both sources of scholarly literature. Primary and secondary sources are both sources of scholarly literature.

What is the first step in the qualitative research process? Data analysis Sample Review of the literature Study design

3 Review of the literature A review of the literature is the first step in the qualitative research process. Data analysis is the sixth step in the qualitative research process. Sampling is the third step in the qualitative research process. The study design is the second step in the qualitative research process.

What is the indication when a student conducting an electronic search of the literature is simultaneously using two databases, CINAHL and MEDLINE, which generate more than 2000 citations? There has been a great deal of research in this area. CINAHL and MEDLINE duplicate the literature. The keywords were not sufficiently narrowed. A third database is necessary to limit the search.

3 The keywords were not sufficiently narrowed. The student should review the keywords used and narrow the search. Although there may have been a great deal of research in the area, it is more likely that a response of this magnitude is a result of something else. CINAHL and MEDLINE can be used concurrently for literature searches without fear of duplication of information. A third database may help limit the search, but this is not the best solution.

Objectivity in the conceptualization of the research question is derived from what? A random sample of subjects A control group The review of literature The selection of instruments to be used

3 The review of literature The review of the literature, as well as the theoretical framework, informs the researcher of the breadth and depth of available knowledge in the area. Conceptualization of the research question occurs before sample selection. Conceptualization of the research question occurs before instrument selection.

What is the purpose of including a summary of the theoretical and scientific background of a study in a research report? To operationalize the variables used in the study To differentiate the purpose of the study and the research question To inform the reader about how the research question was developed To allow the reader to determine the testability of the hypothesis

3 To inform the reader about how the research question was developed The research question should flow from the theoretical and scientific background. The variables are not operationalized in the theoretical or scientific background of the study. The purpose of the study and research questions should flow from the theoretical and scientific background of the study. The testability of the hypothesis cannot be determined by the theoretical and scientific background of the study.

What is the most effective use of a print index for a nurse researcher? To determine the keywords to use in an electronic search To provide the latest unpublished research To show sources that may not have been entered into an electronic database To provide lists of secondary resources

3 To show sources that may not have been entered into an electronic database Sources that have not been entered into an electronic database may be located using the older print indexes. Keywords can be found electronically. Print indexes are not the best source of unpublished materials. Print indexes do not list secondary sources.

Which source has the nurse researcher consulted that supports the library supported by Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing? National Guideline Clearinghouse Joanna Briggs Institute Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library Cochrane Collaboration

3 Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library The Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library is an international not-for-profit, membership-based research and development organization. The National Guideline Clearinghouse offers a useful online feature of side-by-side comparison of guidelines and the ability to browse by disease/condition and treatment/intervention. The Joanna Briggs Institute is an international not-for-profit, membership-based research and development organization. The Cochrane Collaboration provides access to abstracts from Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

When should the nurse researcher reject the null hypothesis? When there is no association among variables When there is evidence of significance When the independent and dependent variables are related When the research hypothesis is rejected

3 When the independent and dependent variables are related Because the null hypothesis states that there is no relationship between the independent and dependent variables, it is rejected if they are related. The null hypothesis is accepted if there is no association among variables. The null hypothesis is accepted if there are significant differences in outcomes. If a study has both a research hypothesis and a null hypothesis, the null hypothesis is rejected when the research hypothesis is accepted

Internal validity is important to the nurse researcher because it asks what? If the study is generalizable to the larger population If the Hawthorne effect affected the findings Whether the independent variable caused the change in the dependent variable Whether study findings are a result of measurement effects

3 Whether the independent variable caused the change in the dependent variable The definition of internal validity is the degree that the experimental treatment, rather than an uncontrolled condition, resulted in the outcomes. External validity asks if the study is generalizable to the larger population. The Hawthorne effect is a threat to external validity. Measurement effects are a threat to external validity.

A nurse researcher chooses a primary source in a research study. What is an example of such a source? A published commentary on the findings of another study. A doctoral dissertation that critiques all research on attention-deficit disorder. A textbook of medical-surgical nursing. A journal article about research using large, previously unpublished databases generated by the U.S. census.

4 A journal article about research using large, previously unpublished databases generated by the U.S. census. A journal article about research using large, previously unpublished databases generated by the U.S. census is a report of an original study, so it is the primary source of the study. A commentary is not the original source of the work. A doctoral dissertation that critiques all research on attention-deficit disorder is a review of studies and not the primary source of those studies. A textbook is not an original source of information.

The nurse researcher is working with a clinical situation that does not lend itself to being resolved with a ready solution. Which is most appropriate for the nurse researcher to develop? Directional hypothesis Nondirectional hypothesis Research question Clinical question

4 Clinical question Clinical questions often arise from clinical situations for which there are no ready answers.

To avoid threats to validity, a researcher must identify, plan for, and control what? Independent variables Unexpected findings The control group Extraneous variables

4 Extraneous variables Extraneous variables could affect the dependent variable and are a threat to the internal validity of the study. The independent variables are manipulated by the researcher as part of the research design. By their very nature, unexpected findings cannot be identified ahead of time and are not controlled by the researcher. The control group is part of the research design; this is not the best answer.

A research study was under way looking at the frequency of mammograms in perimenopausal women. During the study a celebrity was diagnosed with breast cancer. The effect of this event on the research findings is called what? Maturation Reactivity Constancy History

4 History This event occurred outside the experimental setting and may have had an effect on the dependent variable. Maturation refers to developmental processes within subjects. Reactivity refers to subject response to being studied. Constancy refers to control over data-collection procedures.

The nurse researcher defines control as what? Having a large sample size Manipulating the dependent variable Having a basis of comparison for each experimental group of subjects Holding conditions of the study constant

4 Holding conditions of the study constant Control is defined as holding the conditions of the study constant and controlling for extraneous variables. The size of the sample is a concern of generalizability, not control. The dependent variable is not manipulated by the researcher. Having a basis of comparison for experimental subjects is a method of controlling for extraneous variables, but it is not the definition of "control."

What is a characteristic of a hypothesis? It flows from interpretation of the data collected. It operationally defines the variable to be studied. It eliminates the need to designate a dependent variable. It implies a causative or associative relationship.

4 It implies a causative or associative relationship. A hypothesis implies a causative or associative relationship. A hypothesis guides the research design and collection of data. Operational definitions are not included in the hypothesis. The hypothesis indicates the dependent variable.

Which research hypothesis as written is most testable? There is a relationship between meditation and anxiety disorders. Patients with anxiety disorders who learn meditation techniques have less anxiety than those who do not. Teaching one meditation technique to patients with anxiety disorders will be better than teaching multiple techniques. The ability to meditate causes lower anxiety in patients with anxiety disorder than those who do not meditate.

4 The ability to meditate causes lower anxiety in patients with anxiety disorder than those who do not meditate. "The ability to meditate causes lower anxiety in patients with anxiety disorder than those who do not meditate" is a hypothesis that meets the criteria of testability. "There is a relationship between meditation and anxiety disorders" is not a predictive statement about the relationships between the variables. The "meditation techniques" variable must be specifically defined so that it is observable or measurable. "Better than" is a value-laden phrase that is not objective.

The nurse is using CINAHL as an electronic database. What is an effective technique to use with this database? Use complete sentences when using Advanced Search. Mark "Research Articles," and then select "Search." Use the Boolean connector "and" to broaden your search. Use the Limit Your Results section to limit results by age group.

4 Use the Limit Your Results section to limit results by age group. Using the Limit Your Results section can help limit results by age group, year, or clinical queries, for example. Do not use complete sentences when using the Advanced Search feature. Select "Search" and then "Research Articles" to ensure that you retrieve only articles that are actually research. Using the Boolean connector "and" will narrow your search.

The nurse researcher is reviewing websites for evidence-based practice information. The researcher finds a source that is supported by Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Which source has the researcher most likely accessed? Turning Research into Practice Cochrane Collaboration National Guideline Clearinghouse Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library

4 Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library The Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library is offered without charge and is supported by Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Internal Validity

history maturation testing instrumentation mortality selection bias

External validity

selection effects reactive effects measurement effect