Research Exam 2

2. Which of the following are accurate statements about study variables and research concepts? Select all that apply. a. Variables are qualities, properties, or characteristics of persons, things, or situations that do not change or vary. b. Research concepts are usually studied in quantitative research, are at lower levels of abstraction than variables, and are not measured or manipulated. c. Some variables are manipulated; others are controlled. d. A dependent variable is the outcome that the researcher wants to predict or explain. e. Operational definitions provide the theoretical meaning of a variable and are derived from a theorist's definition of a related concept.

ANS: C, D c. Some variables are manipulated; others are controlled. d. A dependent variable is the outcome that the researcher wants to predict or explain. Variables are classified into a variety of types to explain their use in research. Some variables are manipulated; others are controlled. Some variables are identified but not measured; others are measured with refined measurement devices. A dependent variable is the outcome that the researcher wants to predict or explain. Variables are qualities, properties, or characteristics of persons, things, or situations that change or vary. Research concepts are usually studied in qualitative research, are at higher levels of abstraction than variables, and are not measured or manipulated. Research concepts include the ideas, experiences, situations, events, or behaviors that are investigated in qualitative research. A conceptual definition provides the theoretical meaning of a variable; operational definitions indicate how a treatment or independent variable will be implemented and how the dependent or outcome variable will be measured.

10. Which statement in a study about preoperative education and postoperative recovery times represents a research question? a. "What are the types of preoperative education materials that may be used?" b. "What are the constructs that facilitate adult learning among patients?" c. "What preoperative teaching will shorten postoperative recovery time?" d. "What is already known about preoperative teaching and postoperative recovery?"

ANS: C- "What preoperative teaching will shorten postoperative recovery time?" A research question focuses on description of variables or concepts, examination of relationships among variables, and determination of differences between two or more groups regarding selected variables. The characteristic of a variable is given in the operational definition. The theoretical framework identifies constructs and theories about the research study. The background about what is already known about the topic for conducting is described in the literature review.

32. Which type of variable is used in a descriptive study? a. Dependent variable b. Independent variable c. Research variable d. Treatment variable

ANS: C- Research variable Research variables are the qualities, properties, or characteristics identified in a descriptive or correlational study. The dependent variable is the outcome that the researcher wishes to predict or explain. The independent variable is manipulated by the researcher and is presumed to cause changes in the dependent variable. The independent variable is sometimes called the treatment variable.

1. The most important initial step when developing a research study is to a. develop the problem statement. b. explore the background for the research problem. c. identify the research problem. d. state the research purpose.

ANS: C- identify the research problem. The problem provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for nursing practice. The problem statement is written after the research problem has been identified. The background for the research problem is written to identify what is known about the research problem. The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study.

14. For a study to be considered current, it should be published within the last a. year. b. 2 years. c. 5 years. d. 10 years.

ANS: C-5 years. Current sources are those published within 5 years before publication of the manuscript. All other statements are incorrect.

23. In the following APA-formatted reference, what is indicated by the italicized words? a. Abstract information b. Journal title c. Book title d. Publishing company

ANS: C-Book title When citing a book, the title is italicized. The abstract information is not included in a reference citation. A journal-title is italicized if the citation is from a journal. The publishing company information is listed last.

8. Which source of information is rarely cited in academic publications? a. Conference proceedings b. Dissertation or thesis c. Encyclopedia d. Textbooks

ANS: C-Encyclopedia Encyclopedias tend to provide background information and some information leading to other resources, but generally not scholarly or primary source information. Conference proceedings, dissertations or theses, and textbooks may all be cited.

34. In the following research clinical question, what is the outcome? "What is the effect of relaxation therapy versus biofeedback on the functional ability of clients with rheumatoid arthritis?" a. Relaxation therapy b. Biofeedback c. Functional ability d. Rheumatoid arthritis

ANS: C-Functional ability The dependent variable, functional ability is the outcome that the researcher wishes to predict or explain. Relaxation therapy and biofeedback are both independent variables that are manipulated by the researcher and presumed to cause changes in the dependent variable. Rheumatoid arthritis describes the clients. Research variables are the qualities, properties, or characteristics identified in the research purpose and objectives or questions that are measured in a study.

44. Which type of variable is manipulated by the researcher? a. Demographic b. Dependent c. Independent d. Research

ANS: C-Independent The independent, or experimental variable, is manipulated by the researcher to observe possible effects on the dependent variable. Demographic variables are attributes of members of a sample population. The dependent variable is the outcome variable and is the variable researchers wish to predict based on manipulation of the independent variable. A research variable is used in quantitative studies.

24. In the following APA-formatted reference, what is indicated by the italicized words/numbers? a. Article title/volume number b. Journal title/issue number c. Journal title/volume number d. Book title/issue number

ANS: C-Journal title/volume number When citing a periodical (journal), the title and volume number are both italicized. The article title is not italicized in a journal. When citing a book, the title is italicized. The issue number is not italicized.

21. When conducting a literature review for a thesis or dissertation and deciding how far back in the available literature to search, what will the student do? a. Ask the instructor to specify necessary publication years for articles cited. b. Base the decision on the number of articles necessary for the assigned task. c. Locate any seminal or landmark studies on the topic of research. d. Look for sources no older than 10 years prior.

ANS: C-Locate any seminal or landmark studies on the topic of research. When beginning a thesis or dissertation, the graduate student should look for seminal or landmark studies as a place to begin a literature review. The breadth and currency of the literature review should be based on the topic and the purpose of the research and not on an assigned number or a particular number of years.

39. Which database describes biomedical journals relevant to healthcare professionals deemed reputable by the National Library of Medicine and includes abstracts with links to some full-text sources? a. PubMed b. CINAHL c. MEDLINE d. Academic Search Complete

ANS: C-MEDLINE MEDLINE database describes biomedical journals relevant to healthcare professionals deemed reputable by the National Library of Medicine and includes abstracts with links to some full-text sources. PubMed database content includes free access to MEDLINE available to patients and other consumers. CINAHL is the database content that includes nursing and allied health journals that publish clinical, theoretical, and research articles, including many full-text articles. Academic Search Complete includes multidisciplinary databases, including articles from many disciplines.

9. The nurse researcher states that a research purpose is to measure the effects of bar code medication administration on medication errors. This is a study purpose for which type of research? a. Correlational b. Grounded theory c. Outcomes d. Quasi-experimental

ANS: C-Outcomes Outcomes studies are conducted to examine the end results of care. Correlational research is conducted to determine whether there are relationships among variables. Grounded theory research is designed to determine how theory explains phenomena being studied. Quasi-experimental research requires some manipulation of variables and comparison of groups.

2. Which statement is true about theory and qualitative studies? a. Qualitative studies rely on conceptual frameworks and not on theory. b. Qualitative studies are not based on theory. c. Qualitative studies may be used to create theory. d. Qualitative studies use theory in the same way as quantitative studies.

ANS: C-Qualitative studies may be used to create theory. Qualitative studies may be based on a theory or may be designed to create a theory. Qualitative studies do not rely on conceptual frameworks. Qualitative studies may be based on theory. Quantitative studies are designed to test the components of a theory, while qualitative studies may merely be based on or seek to create a theory.

16. A researcher conducts a study using dependent and independent variables used in a previous study but uses a different population of subjects. What type of study is this? a. Landmark b. Pilot c. Replication d. Seminal

ANS: C-Replication A replication study is a reproduction or repetition of a study that a researcher conducts to determine whether the findings of the original study can be consistently found in different settings with different subjects. A landmark study is one that generates knowledge that influences a discipline and sometimes society. Landmark studies are often replicated. A pilot study is a study using a small sample size to develop the study methods and tools and is later replicated on a larger scale. A seminal study is the first study on a particular topic that signals a new way of thinking about the topic. These studies are often replicated.

When writing a proposal for a research study, the researcher includes a problem statement that serves to a. define the specific focus of a study. b. describe what is known about the research problem. c. identify a gap in knowledge needed for practice. d. indicate the importance of the problem to nursing.

ANS: C-identify a gap in knowledge needed for practice. The problem provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for nursing practice. The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study. The problem background identifies what is already known about the topic. The problem statement is written after the research problem has been identified. The significance for the research identifies how important the knowledge is to the discipline

25. A step just prior to beginning a literature search using an electronic database is to a. decide how many articles are needed. b. determine the type of study. c. identify keywords for the search. d. perform a Google search.

ANS: C-identify keywords for the search. To narrow the number of articles in a search and refine the search to more relevant articles, identifying keywords is necessary. The number of articles needed for a literature review depends on the content of the articles and will not be known ahead of time. The study type is not typically determined just prior to an electronic search. A Google search may or may not be helpful for leading a researcher to other articles, but it is not a scientific database

1. One reason for conducting a review of the literature other than for purposes of developing a research study is to a. determine the expertise of researchers in the field of study. b. identify current theoretical frameworks. c. implement evidence-based practice guidelines. d. work in a Magnet-certified hospital setting.

ANS: C-implement evidence-based practice guidelines. Although literature reviews are commonly associated with the development of research studies, they are also conducted when developing projects to establish evidence-based practice (EBP). Evaluation of the expertise of researchers and identification of theoretical frameworks are part of literature reviews but are not the reason for conducting them. Nurses in Magnet hospitals often participate in EBP projects and will conduct literature reviews for these, but not solely to be able to work in these institutions

35. When developing the outline for a literature review, the nurse researcher's first step is to a. describe the focus or purpose of the review in the discussion section. b. include a statement about what is known in the literature. c. make notes about which sources to site in each section. d. use a standardized format to outline subsections in the discussion section.

ANS: C-make notes about which sources to site in each section. An initial outline is the first step in writing the literature review and begins with determining the major sections for the paper and identifying the sources that will be used in each one. The introduction section includes the focus or purpose of the literature review. The conclusion contains the statement about what is known in the literature. The discussion section format will vary based on the topic.

30. A researcher performs a critical appraisal of a group of studies measuring the effects of a home care education program on confidence levels of caregivers of older family members. The critical appraisal will include a. determining the theoretical frameworks used for defining confidence. b. identifying sampling and inclusion criteria used in the studies. c. making value judgments about the credibility and validity of concepts. d. recording quotations relevant to the concept of confidence.

ANS: C-making value judgments about the credibility and validity of concepts. To critically appraise an article, relevant content is identified and value judgments are made about the validity and credibility of key concepts. While identifying theoretical frameworks, identifying sampling techniques and inclusion criteria, and recording pertinent quotations are important, they are not part of the critical appraisal of studies.

22. The statement, "In this study, elevated blood glucose is a value greater than 110 mg/dL," is an example of a(n) a. associative hypothesis. b. conceptual definition. c. operational definition. d. problem statement.

ANS: C-operational definition. An operational definition is derived from a set of procedures or progressive acts that a researcher performs to receive sensory impressions that indicate the existence or degree of existence of a variable. An operational definition is developed so that a variable can be measured or manipulated in a concrete situation. In this example, pain is the sensory impression being measured on a numerical scale. A hypothesis indicates the researcher's educated guess at what the outcome of the research will be. An associative hypothesis describes a predicted relationship that the researcher develops between the established variables being studied. This statement is an operational definition, not a hypothesis. A conceptual definition is the theoretical meaning of a variable. The problem statement indicates the gap in knowledge needed for practice and provides a basis for the study.

22. When developing evidence-based-practice guidelines, if a researcher wishes to identify studies that evaluate a specific intervention in quantitative research, the literature review should include a. grounded theory research. b. only current research from the last 5 years. c. replication studies and meta-analyses. d. seminal and landmark studies about the topic.

ANS: C-replication studies and meta-analyses. To synthesize evidence related to a practice problem and to evaluate a specific intervention in quantitative research, replication studies, meta-analyses, and meta-syntheses are used. Grounded theory research is performed to test theory. While current research is desired, researchers may review older studies, particularly if they are seminal or landmark studies, although these are not necessary for this type of literature review.

43. In a research proposal, a statement about expected relationships among variables is the a. conceptual definition. b. operational definition. c. research hypothesis. d. research problem.

ANS: C-research hypothesis. The research hypothesis is the formal statement of the expected relationship between two or more variables in a specified population. The conceptual definition is derived from the theoretical definition of a related concept and provides theoretical meaning for a variable. An operational definition is derived from a set of procedures or progressive acts that a researcher performs to receive sensory impressions that indicate the existence or degree of existence of a variable. The research problem identifies gaps in knowledge

10. A review of empirical literature will yield information obtained from a. concept analyses. b. descriptions of models and frameworks. c. research studies. d. theories.

ANS: C-research studies. Empirical literature refers to knowledge derived from research and is based on data from research. Theoretical literature includes concept analyses, models, theories, and conceptual frameworks.

3. A reviewer reading a proposal for a qualitative research study notes that the author has not included a literature review. The reviewer understands that a literature review may have been omitted in this case because a. it is not necessary to conduct a literature review for qualitative research. b. qualitative research is conducted to study areas where there is no previous knowledge. c. some researchers feel that previous studies may bias data collection in qualitative studies. d. the researcher was not adequately prepared to conduct this research study.

ANS: C-some researchers feel that previous studies may bias data collection in qualitative studies. Many times, literature reviews are omitted from qualitative research to avoid causing expectations that might bias findings, data collection, and data analysis. A literature review can be helpful in qualitative research and should be performed if possible. This is true of some but not all qualitative methods (e.g., grounded theory); however, it is not true of all qualitative designs. At times, there is little or no previous research on the topic, but not always. Omission of a literature review in qualitative research does not indicate that the researcher is ill-prepared

9. When determining the reliability of a website resource in a literature review, it is important to determine a. accessibility of the website information. b. costs of retrieving website information. c. sponsorship of website information. d. whether website information is also published conventionally.

ANS: C-sponsorship of website information. Not all websites are valid and appropriate for citation in a literature review. Those that are sponsored by companies that sell certain products under study may not be appropriate resources because their information may be biased. Accessibility, cost, and conventional publication of website information are not determinants of reliability of website information.

33. In a literature review, the author identifies themes present in articles under review and describes connections among these themes. This is an example of a. analysis. b. appraisal. c. synthesis. d. theorizing.

ANS: C-synthesis. Synthesis of sources involves thinking deeply about what has been found and identifying the main themes of the information. Analysis requires manipulation of what is found, literally making it the author's own. Appraisal involves identifying relevant content and determining the credibility or validity of the information. Theorizing is part of developing the research question.

35. To reduce or eliminate the influence of environmental variables on study results, the researcher may a. completely describe all environmental settings encountered in the study. b. discuss these variables in the study results. c. use a research unit in a hospital or laboratory. d. use a qualitative study design to conduct the study.

ANS: C-use a research unit in a hospital or laboratory. Environmental variables are a type of extraneous variable present in the setting in which the study is conducted. To control for environment, the researcher will use a laboratory setting or a research unit in a hospital. Describing the environmental variables or discussing them in the study results does not eliminate the influence of the environment on the study outcomes. Describing the environmental variables or discussing them in the study results does not eliminate the influence of the environment on the study outcomes. Using a qualitative study design does not eliminate the influence of the environment on study outcomes.

5. When reviewing various theoretical frameworks, the nurse researcher identifies several viewpoints about how nurses should engage with terminally ill patients. These viewpoints represent a. abstract ideas. b. assumptions. c. concrete ideas. d. philosophies.

ANS: D A philosophy is an idea that explores truths or principles and describes which ethical ideas should guide practice. An abstract idea focuses on a general view of a phenomenon. Assumptions are statements in a philosophy or theory that are taken for granted or considered to be true. A concrete idea focuses on a particular instance.

12. The nurse researcher plans to evaluate self-care and its effects on disease prevention. The nurse identifies various health promotion activities—such as proper diet, exercise, and hours of sleep per night—as components of self-care. In this example, "hours of sleep" is a a. concept. b. construct. c. theory. d. variable.

ANS: D A variable is more specific than a concept and is variable and measurable. A construct is a concept that has been created for the study. A construct is a broader category or idea that may encompass several concepts. A concept is more abstract than a variable and represents the name for an object or phenomenon of interest. A concept is the most abstract element of all. Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon.

36. The concluding sentence of each paragraph in a literature review a. describes relevant studies that support the theme of the paragraph. b. identifies the main themes of the paragraph. c. provides evidence to support the topic of the paragraph. d. transitions to the ideas expressed in the following paragraph.

ANS: D- transitions to the ideas expressed in the following paragraph. The concluding sentence in a paragraph in the literature review should transition to the ideas expressed in the following paragraph. The opening sentence identifies the main themes of the paragraph. The sentences between the opening sentence and the concluding sentence describe relevant studies and provide evidence to support the paragraph topic

8. Which statement is a research purpose for a correlational study? a. "This study will compare the effects of an oral antidiabetic medication to effects of a placebo on glucose control in groups of randomly assigned subjects." b. "This study will examine whether pre-appointment telephone reminders increase show rate among patients in an ambulatory well-patient clinic." c. "This study will use direct observation to identify methods parents use to discipline children in public places." d. "This study will use questionnaires and school transcripts to examine the relationship of dietary habits to grades among school-age children."

ANS: D-"This study will use questionnaires and school transcripts to examine the relationship of dietary habits to grades among school-age children." Correlational research is conducted to examine whether there is a positive or negative relationship among variables without attributing cause and effect. A study looking at the effects of an experimental intervention on randomly assigned subjects to affect a specific outcome is an experimental study. A study to look at the effects of an intervention on an outcome is a quasi-experimental study. A study to observe and describe behaviors without examining relationships among variables and without manipulation of the variables by researchers is a descriptive study.

5. Which is included in a statement of a research study purpose? a. A description of gaps in knowledge about the research problem b. A discussion of the significance of the research problem c. A review of what is known about the research problem d. A statement about how the research problem will be studied

ANS: D-A statement about how the research problem will be studied The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study. The problem provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for nursing practice. The significance for the research identifies how important the knowledge is to the discipline. The problem background identifies what is already known about the topic. The problem statement is written after the research problem has been identified.

7. Why might Wikipedia be a questionable reference for a study citation? a. It does not contain factual information. b. It does not provide ideas for other resources. c. It is an online resource. d. It is an open, editable format.

ANS: D-It is an open, editable format. Wikipedia is an open, editable format; the information may not always be accurate because it is not peer-reviewed and scientifically based. Wikipedia may contain factual information, but this is not reliable. Wikipedia may provide ideas for other resources. Wikipedia is an online resource, but that fact does not exclude it from being used.

42. Which is true about a research hypothesis? a. It defines the various research variables and describes how they will be measured. b. It explains the relationship of the research purpose to theory development. c. It includes the research problem, purpose, and research questions. d. It links the research problem statement to the study design and data analysis

ANS: D-It links the research problem statement to the study design and data analysis The research hypothesis is the formal statement of the expected relationship between two or more variables in a specified population. The problem statement can link the research purpose to theory development. The introduction contains the research problem, purpose, and research questions. The research purpose links the problem statement to the study design and data analysis.

40. Which is true about a statement of the research purpose? a. It describes the background for the subject of the research study. b. It includes a discussion of the significance of the study. c. It includes the research problem statement. d. It provides a concise description of the study's focus.

ANS: D-It provides a concise description of the study's focus. The research purpose is a concise, clear statement of the specific goal of focus of the study. The review of the literature provides background for the subject of a research study. The study's significance is a part of the overall purpose of the study. The research the problem statement is a separate statement and includes a discussion of the study's significance.

18. Which is true about quality of sources when critically appraising a literature review? a. A secondary source is written by the person who originated or is responsible for generating the ideas published. b. Authors of primary sources paraphrase the works of researchers and theorists and present their interpretations of what was written by the secondary author. c. A primary source summarizes or quotes content from secondary sources. d. Secondary sources are used only if primary sources cannot be located.

ANS: D-Secondary sources are used only if primary sources cannot be located. Secondary sources are used only if primary sources cannot be located, or the secondary source provides creative ideas or a unique organization of information not found in a primary source. A primary source is written by the person who originated or is responsible for generating the ideas published. Authors of secondary sources paraphrase the works of researchers and theorists and present their interpretations of what was written by the primary author. A secondary source summarizes or quotes content from primary sources

15. Identify the independent variable in the following hypothesis: "Mothers of infants born with spina bifida who participate in support groups report higher levels of confidence when caring for their infants than do mothers who do not participate in support groups." a. Confidence in caring for their infants b. Infants with spina bifida c. Mothers of infants with spina bifida d. Support group participation

ANS: D-Support group participation An independent variable is a stimulus or activity that is manipulated or varied by the researcher to create an effect on the dependent variable. In this example, use of support groups is the "treatment" that is being used to manipulate levels of confidence in caring for their infants. Infants with spina bifida are part of the criteria for inclusion in the study. The level of confidence in caring for their infants is the dependent variable. It is measured as a response to whether or not the mothers received the "treatment" of using a support group. The mothers of infants with spina bifida are criteria for inclusion as subjects in the study and are not variables.

11. What is an important limitation of secondary sources in literature reviews? a. The authors do not have high levels of expertise. b. They are usually not peer-reviewed sources. c. They do not contain unique or original information. d. They may contain misinterpreted information.

ANS: D-They may contain misinterpreted information. A secondary source summarizes or quotes content from primary sources. Because authors of secondary sources paraphrase the works of researchers and theorists and interpret what the primary author wrote, this information may be misinterpreted. Authors of secondary sources have similar levels of expertise as those of primary sources. Secondary sources may contain original information as authors synthesize and analyze findings from primary sources. Secondary sources are usually peer reviewed.

2. What is the purpose of a limited research review? a. To allow the reader to become familiar with the research problem b. To develop an initial pilot study prior to a more in-depth study c. To direct the planning and execution of a study d. To identify studies published after a study is performed

ANS: D-To identify studies published after a study is performed A limited research review is often conducted after an initial literature review to describe any studies performed after the study has been performed. The results of both the original literature review and the limited literature review are included in the report. A full literature review allows the reader to become familiar with the research problem and is performed prior to a pilot or a full study. The full literature review directs the planning and execution of the study.

27. Which is an important feature of a testable hypothesis? a. It may differ from the variables and population identified in the research purpose. b. Methods of sampling, measurement, and data analysis are included in the hypothesis statement. c. Relationships among the study variables must be causative. d. Variables in a testable hypothesis are measurable or able to be manipulated.

ANS: D-Variables in a testable hypothesis are measurable or able to be manipulated. A testable hypothesis is one that clearly predicts the relationships among variables and contains variables that are measurable or able to be manipulated in a study. Variables stated in a research hypothesis are those identified in the research purpose. The testable hypothesis does not identify methodological points to avoid limiting the hypothesis to those methods. Relationships in a testable hypothesis may be associative or correlational.

26. The statistical (null) hypothesis in a research study states that there is a. a causal relationship between variables. b. a statistically significant relationship between variables. c. an implied relationship between variables. d. no relationship between variables.

ANS: D-no relationship between variables. The null hypothesis is the converse of the research hypothesis and states that there is no relationship among variables. Any hypothesis stating a statistically significant relationship, an implied relationship, or a causal relationship among variables is a research hypothesis. Any hypothesis stating a statistically significant relationship, an implied relationship, or a causal relationship among variables is a research hypothesis. Any hypothesis stating a statistically significant relationship, an implied relationship, or a causal relationship among variables is a research hypothesis

24. The hypothesis "A person's mental status is not affected by a relocation to a nursing home" is a. null. b. directional. c. nondirectional. d. not correctly worded.

ANS: D-not correctly worded. This hypothesis statement is not worded clearly or correctly. A clearly stated study hypothesis includes the independent variables to be manipulated or measured, indicates the proposed outcomes or dependent variables to be measured, and identifies the population to be studied. The null hypothesis, also referred to as a statistical hypothesis, is used for statistical testing and for interpreting statistical outcomes. A directional hypothesis states the nature (positive or negative) of the interaction between two or more variables. A nondirectional hypothesis states that a relationship exists but does not predict the nature (positive or negative) of the relationship.

11. Hypotheses to be tested in a research study are frequently found in a. both quantitative and qualitative research studies. b. qualitative research studies. c. neither qualitative nor quantitative research studies. d. quantitative research studies.

ANS: D-quantitative research studies. A hypothesis is the formal statement of the expected relationship(s) between two or more variables in a specified population in a quantitative research study. A qualitative research study often includes problems, purposes, and research questions or aims to direct the research study.

18. The statement, "Do patients who receive care in a Patient-Centered Medical Home have fewer emergency department visits than those who do not?" is an example of a research a. aim. b. hypothesis. c. method. d. question.

ANS: D-question. A research question is a concise interrogative statement that is worded in the present tense, includes one or more variables, and guides the implementation of studies by asking whether or not there is a relationship between the variables. The research objective or aim is a clear, concise, declarative statement that is expressed in the present tense and which focuses on one or two variables, indicating whether they are to be identified or described. The hypothesis is a formal statement about an expected relationship between two or more variables. The research methodology identifies sampling and measurement techniques.

4. In a research proposal, the researcher states that the proposed study will explore children's feelings about chemotherapy side effects. This statement describes the a. problem background. b. problem significance. c. research problem. d. research purpose.

ANS: D-research purpose. The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study. The problem background identifies what is already known about the topic. The problem statement is written after the research problem has been identified. The significance of the research identifies how important the knowledge is to the discipline. The problem provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for nursing practice.

27. After a literature search has yielded a list of articles, an efficient way to identify relevant studies during a literature search is to review a. an electronic database search history. b. only experimental studies. c. reference lists in other studies. d. study abstracts.

ANS: D-study abstracts. The abstract provides pertinent information about the article in a condensed, easy to peruse format so that the researcher can determine whether the article is pertinent to the topic. The electronic database search history lists only articles searched for but does not yield information about whether or not they are relevant. Experimental studies are not always relevant to a particular study, and other types of studies may be relevant. Reference lists in other studies may give information about other articles to review, but do not give information about the content of these articles.

31. To analyze a body of literature in a literature review, the reviewer will a. describe the findings of each study in the literature review. b. list the studies and itemize the findings of each one. c. make value judgments about the credibility of each study. d. synthesize and summarize findings from various studies.

ANS: D-synthesize and summarize findings from various studies. Analysis requires synthesis and summarization of findings of the studies listed and an ability to manipulate the information by the reviewer. It is not enough to merely describe the findings or to list the information in each one. Making value judgments is part of the appraisal process.

34. A nurse researcher reviews several articles about coping skills among parents of children with chronic illness and notes that half of the studies involved single-parent families. The researcher decides to examine whether coping skills differ in single-parent versus dual-parent households. The researcher is engaging in a. analyzing. b. appraising. c. evaluating. d. synthesizing.

ANS: D-synthesizing. Synthesis of sources involves thinking deeply about what has been found and identifying the main themes of the information. In this case, the reviewer has discovered a variable that may affect the outcome of the studies. Analysis requires manipulation of what is found, literally making it the author's own. Appraisal involves identifying relevant content and determining the credibility or validity of the information. Evaluation involves reviewing the literature content and determining its relevance to the topic

19. When appraising a literature review, one aspect of determining the breadth of the review is a. whether the review provides direction for the proposed study. b. the number and percentages of sources from the past 5 to 10 years. c. whether landmark or seminal studies have been used. d. the disciplines of the study authors and journals cited in the review.

ANS: D-the disciplines of the study authors and journals cited in the review. When assessing the breadth of a literature review, the reviewer should identify the disciplines of the authors cited and the journals in which they published their studies. An assessment of whether the literature review provides direction for the study does not specifically evaluate the breadth of the literature review. The currency of the literature review is evaluated by noting the number of sources more than 5 to 10 years old as well as whether landmark or seminal studies are cited.

30. Which is true about a dependent variable in a research study? It is a. manipulated by the researcher to test the research hypothesis. b. the cause of changes in other variables in a research study. c. the experimental variable in a research study. d. the outcome the researcher wishes to predict.

ANS: D-the outcome the researcher wishes to predict. The dependent variable is the outcome that the researcher wishes to predict or explain. Changes in the dependent variable are presumed to be caused by the independent variables. The independent variable is manipulated by the researcher and is presumed to cause changes in the dependent variable. The independent variable is also referred to as the experimental variable.

12. When reviewing articles in a peer-reviewed publication, the reader is assured that the articles are a. landmark studies. b. primary sources. c. seminal studies. d. trustworthy sources.

ANS: D-trustworthy sources. Research reports detailing study events, including results and analysis of findings included in refereed professional journals, are considered one of the most credible types of evidence and are typically considered one of the most useful sources for researchers as they conduct a literature review for a current study. Articles found in refereed journals have been evaluated in an anonymous process by unbiased reviewers and received favorable review, not only for the integrity of the research itself, but because the topic of interest has been deemed significant to the profession. Landmark studies, primary sources, and seminal studies are included in peer-reviewed literature, but may also appear in literature that is not peer reviewed.

10. The nurse researcher plans to evaluate self-care and its effects on disease prevention. The nurse identifies various health promotion activities—such as proper diet, exercise, and hours of sleep per night—as components of self-care. In this example, "self-care" is a a. concept. b. construct. c. theory. d. variable.

ANS: A A concept is more abstract than a variable and represents the name for an object or phenomenon of interest. A concept is the most abstract element of all. A construct is a concept that has been created for the study. A construct is a broader category or idea that may encompass several concepts. Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon. A variable is more specific than a concept and is variable and measurable.

9. When a nurse researcher develops a plan for conducting a quantitative study, the theory on which the study is based is described as? a. The framework b. The assumption c. The hypothesis d. The purpose

ANS: A A research framework is a brief explanation of a theory or those portions of a theory that are being used to guide a study or that will be tested in a study. An assumption is a statement that is taken for granted or considered true, even though it has not been scientifically tested. The hypothesis is a statement of predicted relationships between variables or predicted outcomes. The purpose is a declarative statement of the overall goals of the study.

7. A nurse researcher develops a study to assist patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to lose weight by altering eating patterns. The researcher states, "Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus desire to control weight to gain better glycemic control." This statement is a(n) a. assumption. b. concept. c. philosophy. d. theory.

ANS: A Assumptions are statements in a philosophy or theory that are taken for granted or considered to be true. Concepts are terms that abstractly describe and name an object, idea, experience, or phenomenon and are defined in specific ways to present the ideas relevant to a theory. Philosophies are rational intellectual explorations of truths or principles and describe viewpoints on what reality is and which ethical ideas should guide practice. Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon.

1. Which of the following are true statements about research problems? Select all that apply. a. The research problem in a study indicates the significance of the problem. b. The research problem in a study provides a background for the problem. c. A research problem is an area of concern where there is no gap in the knowledge needed for nursing practice. d. All published studies include a clearly expressed problem, and the problem can be found in the first page of the report. e. The research problem is a clear, concise statement of the specific goal or focus of a study. f. In a research report, the problem is usually identified and often follows the purpose statement.

ANS: A, B a. The research problem in a study indicates the significance of the problem. b. The research problem in a study provides a background for the problem. The research problem in a study indicates the significance of the problem, provides a background for the problem, and includes a problem statement. The research problem is an area of concern in which there is a gap in the knowledge base needed for nursing practice. Not all published studies include a clearly expressed problem, but the problem usually can be identified in the first page of the report. The research purpose is a clear, concise statement of the specific goal or focus of a study. In a research report, the purpose is usually identified and often follows the problem statement.

25. Which is an example of a directional, correlational hypothesis? a. "Increasing hours spent in study groups is associated with an increase in GPA among nursing students." b. "Increased use of study groups will result in an increase in GPA among nursing = students." c. "Nursing students who use study groups are among groups of students who have higher GPAs." d. "Studying in study groups is related to GPA levels in nursing students."

ANS: A- "Increasing hours spent in study groups is associated with an increase in GPA among nursing students." A directional hypothesis states whether a positive or negative interaction will occur between variables. A correlational hypothesis indicates an association without attributing cause. Stating that increased use of study groups will result in increased GPA makes this statement a cause and effect hypothesis. The third and fourth statements are nondirectional because they do not state whether or not there is a positive or negative interaction.

21. A researcher's expectations about the outcomes of a study are generally expressed in the form of a(n) a. hypothesis. b. theory. c. research question. d. research problem.

ANS: A- hypothesis. A hypothesis is a formal statement of the expected relationship(s) between two or more variables in a specified population. Theory is an abstract generalization that presents a systematic explanation about relationships among phenomena. A research question is a clear, concise interrogative statement that is worded in the present tense, includes one or more variables, and is expressed to guide the implementation of studies. A research problem is an area of concern in which there is a gap in the knowledge needed for nursing practice.

36. Which is an example of a conceptual definition of a dependent variable in a study evaluating the effects of home nursing on coping among patients with chronic illness? a. "Coping is a set of actions and strategies used by individuals to reduce the stressors associated with chronic disease management." b. "Coping skills were measured using a five-point Likert scale with higher scores indicating higher coping skills." c. "Home nursing can include registered nurse and nursing assistant management of treatments provided at home." d. "Home nursing was measured in the number of hours per week and the number of hours per day of in-home care."

ANS: A-"Coping is a set of actions and strategies used by individuals to reduce the stressors associated with chronic disease management." A conceptual definition provides the theoretical meaning of a variable. The dependent variable in this study is "coping." Operational definitions describe the actions the researcher will take to identify the characteristics of the variable. "Home nursing" is the independent variable in this study. "Home nursing" is the independent variable in this study.

17. Which component of a research study is exemplified in the statement, "This study identifies various themes associated with parenting children who have chronic disease?" a. Aim or objective b. Hypothesis c. Research methodology d. Research problem

ANS: A-Aim or objective A research objective or aim is a clear, concise, declarative statement that is expressed in the present tense and which focuses on one or two variables, indicating whether they are to be identified or described. The hypothesis is a formal statement about an expected relationship between two or more variables. The research methodology identifies sampling and measurement techniques. The research problem identifies gaps in knowledge.

31. In the following research clinical question, what is the intervention? "Does taking antidepressants affect the risk of suicide for cognitively impaired adolescents?" a. Antidepressant use b. Suicide c. Cognitive impairment d. Adolescence

ANS: A-Antidepressant use The independent variable is frequently used to identify an intervention that is manipulated or varied by the researcher to create an effect on the dependent variable. The dependent variable is the outcome that the researcher wishes to predict or explain. Research variables are the qualities, properties, or characteristics identified in the research purpose and objectives or questions that are measured in a study.

12. What type of hypothesis is the following? "Children with cystic fibrosis who use a cough assist device will experience less anxiety about their disease and have fewer inpatient hospital admissions per year." a. Complex, directional b. Complex, null c. Simple, associative d. Simple, nondirectional

ANS: A-Complex, directional A complex hypothesis predicts the relationship among three or more variables. In this example, the variables are cough assist devices (independent), hospital admissions (dependent), and anxiety (dependent). A directional hypothesis states the nature of the interaction between two or more variables. In this example, the direction is indicated by the prediction "experience less anxiety." A complex hypothesis is correct, but the null hypothesis predicts no difference. This study has more than two variables (not simple) and indicates a direction and not just an association. A simple hypothesis has only two variables (this study has more than two), and there is a direction predicted (experiencing less anxiety and having fewer inpatient hospital admissions).

28. Which statement differentiates research variables from research concepts? a. Concepts are more abstract than variables. b. Concepts are usually studied in quantitative research. c. Variables are less subject to manipulation and measurement. d. Variables cannot be concisely defined or clearly described.

ANS: A-Concepts are more abstract than variables. Concepts are more abstract than variables and are usually studied in qualitative research. Variables are qualities, properties, or characteristics of persons, things, or situations that can be manipulated and measured. They can change or vary and can be concisely defined and described.

45. In a study of adolescent children using a group of high school football players and junior-high school cyclists, researchers compared the length of recovery from concussion between those wearing brand X helmets and those wearing brand Y helmets. In this study "high school football players" represent which type of variable? a. Demographic b. Dependent c. Independent d. Research

ANS: A-Demographic Demographic variables are attributes of members of a sample population. The dependent variable is the outcome variable and is the variable researchers wish to predict based on manipulation of the independent variable. The independent, or experimental variable, is manipulated by the researcher to observe possible effects on the dependent variable. A research variable is used in quantitative studies.

39. Which type of variable is used in a summary of sample characteristics? a. Demographic variables b. Dependent variables c. Independent variables d. Research variables

ANS: A-Demographic variables Demographic variables are attributes of subjects that are collected to describe the sample. Dependent variables are variables that change as a result of manipulation of the independent variable. Independent variables are variables that are manipulated to observe effects on dependent variables. Research variables are variables used in qualitative studies.

23. Which is true about a causal hypothesis? a. It describes the effects of independent variables on dependent variables. b. It predicts a negative or positive interaction between variables. c. It proposes positive or negative relationships among variables. d. It states that a relationship exists between variables without indicating direction

ANS: A-It describes the effects of independent variables on dependent variables. A causal hypothesis proposes a cause and effect interaction between two or more variables. An associative hypothesis states that a relationship exists among variables. A correlational hypothesis proposes negative or positive interactions between variables. A causal hypothesis indicates direction.

37. Which is true about an operational variable in quantitative research? a. It is developed so that the degree of its existence can be measured. b. It is often derived from a theoretical definition of a related concept. c. It is specific to the time and setting of the research study. d. It provides the theoretical meaning of a variable.

ANS: A-It is developed so that the degree of its existence can be measured. An operational definition is derived from a set of procedures or progressive acts that a researcher performs to receive sensory impressions that indicate the existence or degree of existence of a variable. The conceptual definition is derived from the theoretical definition of a related concept. Operational definitions need to be independent of time and setting. The conceptual definition provides theoretical meaning for a variable.

29. A researcher wishes to study the effects of a low-fat diet on self-esteem, weight, and energy levels among obese women over age 40. Which is the independent variable in this study? a. Low-fat diet b. Obesity c. Self-esteem, weight, and energy levels d. Women over 40

ANS: A-Low-fat diet The independent variable in a study is the variable that can be manipulated to determine whether a specific outcome or result is achieved. Obesity and women over 40 are demographic variables. Self-esteem, weight, and energy levels are dependent variables, based on the presence or absence of the independent variable. Obesity and women over 40 are demographic variables.

13. Which type of publication describes a journal that is published over time and is numbered sequentially for the years published? a. Periodical b. Article c. Encyclopedia d. Monograph

ANS: A-Periodical A periodical such as a journal is published over time and is numbered sequentially for the years published. This sequential numbering is seen in the year, volume, issue, and page numbering of a journal. An article is a paper about a specific topic and may be published together with other articles on similar themes in journals, encyclopedias, or edited books. An encyclopedia is an authoritative compilation of information on alphabetized topics that may provide background information and lead to other sources, but is rarely cited in academic papers and publications. A monograph, such as a book on a specific subject, a record of conference proceedings, or a pamphlet, usually is a one-time publication.

5. What is the main purpose of a literature review in grounded theory research? a. To explain, extend, and support the framework used for the study b. To identify gaps in current knowledge about the research topic c. To place research findings in context of what is already known d. To support the need to study the selected research topic

ANS: A-To explain, extend, and support the framework used for the study In grounded theory research, the researcher uses the literature review primarily to explain, support, and extend the framework used in the study, and not to direct data collection or study methods. It is usually completed at the end of the analysis rather than before the proposal development. The literature review in quantitative studies is designed to identify gaps in knowledge. Phenomenological literature reviews are conducted to place research findings in the context of what is already known. Because the literature review for grounded theory research is generally conducted at the end of the analysis, it is not used to support the need for studying the topic, but to summarize what is known.

15. Some studies cited in a literature review may be decades old. The researcher may decide to use studies from this far back because these studies a. are groundbreaking or landmark studies. b. are particularly well-written studies. c. are peer-reviewed, relevant studies. d. are still considered current studies.

ANS: A-are groundbreaking or landmark studies. Studies that are groundbreaking or landmark studies are those that were significant to the development of knowledge on the topic being reviewed. In this case, it is appropriate to cite these studies, even if they are very old. Well-written, peer-reviewed studies that are not current are generally not used in a literature review. Studies that are decades old, however well-written and relevant, are not current studies, but are used for historical or seminal context.

16. In a research proposal, the author describes what is already known about the research topic. This would be included in the discussion of the study's a. background. b. feasibility. c. purpose. d. significance.

ANS: A-background. The background section describes research about the problem performed to date. In the section about a study's feasibility, the researcher's expertise, funding resources, availability of subjects and settings, and ethical considerations are examined. The research purpose identifies specific goals and the focus of the study. The study's significance discusses the importance of the study to the discipline.

33. During a study to measure the effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior, the researchers learned that a portion of the subjects lived in homes with one or more alcoholic parents. In this study, the presence of an alcoholic parent is a(n) a. confounding variable. b. dependent variable. c. independent variable. d. unrecognized variable.

ANS: A-confounding variable. A confounding variable is an extraneous variable that is not recognized until the study is in process or is recognized before beginning the study, but cannot be controlled. The dependent variable is the outcome that the researcher wishes to predict or explain. The independent variable is manipulated by the researcher and is presumed to cause changes in the dependent variable. An unrecognized variable is a type of extraneous variable that is not noted during the study, but may or may not influence the outcome.

13. A statement about the significance of a study describes the a. influence of results on nursing practice. b. relationship among study variables. c. study design and methods. d. validity of the study measurement tools.

ANS: A-influence of results on nursing practice. The statement about the significance of the study identifies its importance to the body of knowledge and to nursing practice. The research purpose and research question identify proposed relationships among study variables. The study design and methods describe the type of study, sampling techniques, and tools used to evaluate data. The validity of measurement tools is determined by whether the tools measure what they claim to measure.

19. All of the following aspects of a research proposal are part of the research hypothesis except a. methodology. b. outcomes. c. population. d. variables.

ANS: A-methodology. The methodology is not described in the research hypothesis statement. The hypothesis is a formal statement about an expected relationship between two or more variables. It will mention the expected outcomes, the population being studied, and the specific variables. The hypothesis is a formal statement about an expected relationship between two or more variables. It will mention the expected outcomes, the population being studied, and the specific variables. The hypothesis is a formal statement about an expected relationship between two or more variables. It will mention the expected outcomes, the population being studied, and the specific variables.

37. When citing sources in a literature review, it is best if the author a. paraphrases other authors' ideas. b. points out any defects in other authors' work. c. synthesizes the work of a group of authors. d. uses direct quotations as much as possible.

ANS: A-paraphrases other authors' ideas. When citing the work of other authors, the author of a literature review should paraphrase their words whenever possible—clearly, and in the reviewer's own words. It is important, in an analysis of the literature, to identify defects in other authors' works, but this should be done with respect and without being highly critical. Synthesis of others' work is an important part of the literature review as well and involves paraphrasing and analysis. Direct quotations should be avoided unless the author states something in a unique way.

7. The statements in the introductory paragraphs of a research report that cite results of previous studies about a research problem represent the a. problem background. b. problem significance. c. problem statement. d. research purpose.

ANS: A-problem background. The problem background identifies what is already known about the topic. The problem statement is written after the research problem has been identified. The significance for the research identifies how important the knowledge is to the discipline and to health care and the health of individuals and families. The problem provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for nursing practice. The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study.

41. An examination of the researcher's plan for using measurement tools to examine relationships among variables helps determine the a. research hypothesis. b. research objectives. c. study feasibility. d. study purpose.

ANS: A-research hypothesis. The research hypothesis is determined through the research question and is a statement about the relationship among the research variables. The research objectives are identified in the research purpose. The study feasibility is determined by the researcher's expertise, the available funding, measurement tools and sample population availability, and ethical considerations. The study purpose is a statement identifying what will be measured in a study

11. The nurse researcher plans to evaluate self-care and its effects on disease prevention. The nurse identifies various health promotion activities—such as proper diet, exercise, and hours of sleep per night—as components of self-care. In this example, "health promotion" is a a. concept. b. construct. c. theory. d. variable.

ANS: B A construct is a concept that has been created for the study. A construct is a broader category or idea that may encompass several concepts. A concept is more abstract than a variable and represents the name for an object or phenomenon of interest. A concept is the most abstract element of all. Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon. A variable is more specific than a concept and is variable and measurable.

3. A researcher is studying how anxiety affects coping with chronic disease and theorizes that measures to reduce anxiety will improve subjects' ability to cope with day-to-day demands of self-care. In this example, anxiety and coping are a. assumptions. b. concepts. c. philosophies. d. theories.

ANS: B Concepts are terms that abstractly describe and name an object, idea, experience, or phenomenon and are defined in specific ways to present the ideas relevant to a theory. Assumptions are statements in a philosophy or theory that are taken for granted or considered to be true. Philosophies are rational intellectual explorations of truths or principles and describe viewpoints on what reality is and which ethical ideas should guide practice. Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon

4. The building blocks for theory are a. empirical testing. b. concepts. c. hypotheses. d. models.

ANS: B Concepts are terms that abstractly describe and name an object, idea, experience, or phenomenon, thus providing it with a separate identity or meaning. Concepts are defined in a particular way to present the ideas relevant to a theory. Empirical testing is a way of gaining knowledge by means of direct and indirect observation or experience. A hypothesis is the formal statement of the expected relationship(s) between two or more variables in a specified population in a quantitative research study. Models are used to express a theory or research framework using a diagram with the concepts and relationships graphically displayed.

2. Which of the following are true statements about conducting the search (step 2) of the literature review? Select all that apply. a. Reading the articles and appraising, analyzing, and synthesizing the literature b. Obtaining full-text copies of relevant articles c. Developing an outline to organize information from the review d. Using a table to document the results of the search e. Clarifying the purpose of the literature review f. Ensuring that information needed to cite the source is recorded

ANS: B, D, F b. Obtaining full-text copies of relevant articles d. Using a table to document the results of the search f. Ensuring that information needed to cite the source is recorded Conducting the search includes: searching the selected databases, using a table to document the results of the search, refining the search, reviewing the abstracts to identify relevant studies, obtaining full-text copies of relevant articles, and ensuring that information needed to cite the source is recorded. Reading the articles and appraising, analyzing, and synthesizing the literature describe processing the literature. Developing an outline to organize information from the review describes writing the review of the literature. Clarifying the purpose of the literature review describes preparing to review the literature.

1. A nurse researcher understands that a search may identify thousands of references. In an effort to refine the search, which of the following are accurate statements? Select all that apply. a. Increasing the range of years you are searching is an effective strategy. b. Combining terms or searching for the terms only in the abstract will decrease the number of articles identified. c. It is not appropriate to limit the search to only full-text articles for undergraduate students. d. Narrowing a search tightly is an effective strategy to access more results. e. Some electronic databases allow you to limit the search to certain types of articles.

ANS: B, E b. Combining terms or searching for the terms only in the abstract will decrease the number of articles identified. e. Some electronic databases allow you to limit the search to certain types of articles. Combining terms or searching for the terms only in the abstract will decrease the number of articles identified. Some electronic databases allow you to limit the search to certain types of articles, such as scholarly, peer-reviewed articles. One strategy is to decrease the range of years you are searching. It is appropriate to limit the search to only full-text articles for undergraduate students; graduate students should avoid limiting searches to full-text articles because doing so might result in missing sources that are needed.

38. An author uses an electronic source in portable document format (PDF). Which is true about citing this source in a literature review? a. It is necessary to provide the URL used to retrieve the article electronically. b. It is not treated differently than a print version of the article. c. The original print article must be located. d. The page numbers will not be available for citation.

ANS: B- It is not treated differently than a print version of the article. When retrieving a PDF document, the source is cited as if a copy of the print version of the article had been used. Providing the URL for such an article is not helpful in this case. It is not necessary to locate the original print article when a PDF article is used. A PDF article is the same as a print article and will have page numbers for citation

4. Which type of study is least likely to include a review of the literature prior to initiating the study? a. Grounded theory b. Phenomenological c. Qualitative d. Quantitative

ANS: B- Phenomenological Phenomenological researchers are most likely to delay literature review until after a study is completed to avoid bias. Grounded theory researchers may have a limited review of relevant studies to make the researcher aware of what studies have been conducted and that a research problem exists. Qualitative and quantitative research will involve literature reviews, although these may be less substantial in qualitative studies

20. An initial step when preparing to conduct a literature review is to a. choose the types of sources to use. b. clarify the purpose of the review. c. determine how many articles to review. d. select electronic databases and keywords.

ANS: B- clarify the purpose of the review. Because the approach will vary according to the purpose of the review, the first step in conducting a literature review is to identify the purpose of the review. The types of sources and the number of articles to review depend on the purpose of the review. Once the purpose of the review is established and the author has an idea about the type and number of sources, the electronic databases and keywords are selected

26. When conducting a literature search, which electronic product would a nurse researcher use to track and store reference information? a. Cumulative Index of Nursing and Health Literature (CINAHL) b. EndNotes or Ref Works c. Google Scholar d. Science Direct

ANS: B-EndNotes or Ref Works EndNotes is reference management software that helps to track and store information on all search fields and allows the researcher to file this information with comments about each reference. CINAHL is an electronic database used to search literature. Google. The scholar is an electronic search engine. Science Direct is an electronic search engine

32. Which is most important in a critical appraisal of a body of literature? a. Counting the available resources to determine whether more information is necessary b. Examining the quality and content of the resources to determine the credibility and validity of each c. Reviewing the reference lists in each study to find other relevant studies and landmark studies d. Searching the literature thoroughly using appropriate keywords to ensure that all relevant literature is included

ANS: B-Examining the quality and content of the resources to determine the credibility and validity of each Critiquing the literature review of a published study involves examining the quality of the content and sources presented. This is more important than achieving an accurate count of available resources. The literature search is important and must be thorough, but the critical appraisal depends on an evaluation of the quality and not the quantity of the available resources. Reviewing the reference lists may be useful for determining whether other relevant studies exist, but it is not the most important aspect of a critical appraisal, which is an evaluation of the quality of studies available. Searching the literature thoroughly using appropriate keywords to ensure that all relevant literature is included may be useful for determining whether other relevant studies exist, but it is not the most important aspect of a critical appraisal, which is an evaluation of the quality of studies available.

20. In a study comparing the effects of complementary therapies on pain scores and narcotic analgesic use in homeless women and women who own homes, which of the following is a demographic variable? a. Complementary therapies b. Homeless women c. Narcotic analgesic use d. Pain scores

ANS: B-Homeless women Demographic variables are characteristics or attributes of subjects that are collected to describe the sample. Complementary therapy is the independent variable. Narcotic analgesic use and pain scores are dependent variables. Pain scores are a dependent variable.

1. Which is true about a study framework? a. It guides nurses in clinical practice. b. It explains a portion of a theory. c. It is one of the major ideas of a theory. d. It is the underlying methodology used in research.

ANS: B-It explains a portion of a theory. A study framework is a brief explanation of a theory or those portions of a theory that are to be tested in a study. The knowledge gained from testing theories is used to guide nursing practice. Concepts are the major ideas contained in a theory. The framework is not the methodology, which consists of sampling techniques, tools, and measures used to gather and analyze data.

6. Which type of information would the reader be least interested in obtaining from a literature review? a. How the variables of interest have been operationally defined in prior studies. b. Narration of an author's impression of a given situation c. Research results d. What research approaches have been used to study similar problems

ANS: B-Narration of an author's impression of a given situation c. Research results The type of information that the reader would be least interested in obtaining from a literature review is the narration of an author's impression of a given situation. A high-quality review of literature contains the current theoretical and scientific knowledge about a specific topic, and identifies what is known and unknown about that topic. A review of literature is the process of finding relevant research reports and theoretical sources, critically appraising these sources, synthesizing the results, and developing an accurate complete reference list.

17. A nurse appraising a research article should perform which action to critically evaluate the literature review? a. Locate and review sources and abstracts listed in the research article. b. Note the number of data-based and theoretical sources cited in the reference list. c. Perform a meta-analysis or meta-synthesis on the cited references. d. Search the literature to determine whether other relevant sources exist.

ANS: B-Note the number of data-based and theoretical sources cited in the reference list. Because it would be very time-consuming to search the literature and determine whether the listed sources are relevant, the reviewer should review the reference list and determine the focus of the sources, the number of data-based and theoretical sources cited, and where and when the sources were published. Locating and reviewing all abstracts would be too time-consuming and may not be possible. Meta-analysis and meta-synthesis are not done when critically appraising a literature review. These techniques are used to perform an in-depth analysis of studies already cited in the literature. It is not necessary at this point to search the literature to determine other relevant sources.

38. In a qualitative study, which is true about the definition of research concepts? a. They are measurable variables that help illustrate theoretical concepts. b. They are often defined or described as a result of the study. c. They are written to provide a concise measure of theoretical concepts. d. They must be clearly described to proceed with the study.

ANS: B-They are often defined or described as a result of the study. In many qualitative studies, the focus of the study is to define or describe the concept. Unlike variables in a quantitative study, they usually are not easily measured. They are developed as the study unfolds and do not have to be clearly described in order to proceed with the study. They are developed as the study unfolds and do not have to be clearly described in order to proceed with the study.

14. A reviewer assesses a potential researcher's credentials and experience, the availability of funding and resources, and ethical considerations of a potential study. This represents evaluation of a study's a. expertise. b. feasibility. c. purpose. d. significance.

ANS: B-feasibility. The feasibility of a study is determined by examining the researcher's qualifications, the funding and resources available to conduct the study, the availability of subjects, facilities, and equipment, and ethical considerations. Expertise refers to the researcher's qualifications, credentials, and experience. The study purpose identifies the focus and goals of the study. The significance identifies the importance of the study to the body of knowledge and to practice.

29. When initially reading the relevant literature for comprehension, the researcher will a. critically appraise the studies. b. highlight the main points of the studies. c. make decisions about paraphrasing quotes. d. review the abstract only.

ANS: B-highlight the main points of the studies. Comprehending a source begins by reading and focusing on understanding the main points of the article and can be achieved by highlighting the main points of the article. Critical appraisal involves making value judgments about the validity or credibility of the study content. Deciding what to paraphrase occurs later, just before writing the review. Reviewing the abstract helps the researcher determine which articles are relevant but does not help with comprehension.

28. Once relevant studies have been identified, the researcher's next step is to a. determine the expertise of each study's authors. b. obtain full-text copies of each of these articles. c. review the study design and methodology of each article. d. write the literature review based on abstract information.

ANS: B-obtain full-text copies of each of these articles. Although the abstract information helps to determine a study's relevance, it is essential to read the full-text article to conduct a literature review. Once relevant studies are found, the researcher must obtain either electronic or print full-text articles. During the literature review, the researcher will examine the authors' expertise and will review the study design and methodology. The literature review cannot be written based on abstract information only.

The statement in the introduction of a research study report—"while children who have higher asthma control scores tend to have fewer emergency department visits for asthma exacerbations, it is unclear how nursing interventions can impact these scores"—represents the a. problem background. b. problem significance. c. research problem. d. research purpose.

ANS: B-problem significance. The significance for the research identifies how important the knowledge is to the discipline and to health care and the health of individuals and families. The problem background identifies what is already known about the topic. The problem statement is written after the research problem has been identified. The problem provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for nursing practice. The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study.

2. A nursing researcher determines that there is little information about the use of complementary practices in treating obesity. This represents the research a. design. b. problem. c. purpose. d. significance.

ANS: B-problem. The problem provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for nursing practice. The research design is the type of study that will be conducted to study the research problem. The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study. The problem statement is written after the research problem has been identified. The significance for the research identifies how important the knowledge is to the discipline.

8. A nurse researcher will measure the effects of infant and parent bonding on infant weight gain in the first 6 months of life. The nurse will evaluate the number of times each day that the parent holds the infant. This measure is an example of a(n) a. abstract idea. b. concept. c. concrete idea. d. phenomenon.

ANS: C Concrete ideas refer to realities or actual instances, focusing on the particular and not the general. An abstract idea is a general view of a phenomenon, such as parent/infant bonding. A concept is a term that abstractly describes a phenomenon. A phenomenon is the appearance or aspect of reality as it is experienced

6. Which statement is true about research frameworks? a. Every qualitative study has an implicit or explicit research framework. b. Research frameworks for psychological studies are usually derived from physiology, genetics, pathophysiology, and physics. c. Research frameworks come from grand nursing theories. d. A research framework is a concrete, logical structure of meaning

ANS: C Research frameworks can come from grand nursing theories, middle range theories from nursing and other professions, synthesis of concepts and relationships from more than one theory, or syntheses of research findings. Every quantitative study has an implicit or explicit framework. Frameworks for physiological studies are usually derived from physiology, genetics, pathophysiology, and physics. A research framework is an abstract, logical structure of meaning, such as a portion of a theory, which guides the development of the study and enables the researcher to link the findings to nursing's body of knowledge.