research
In published research literature, a primary source refers to
An article written by the people who did the study
The following set of statements is an example of what type of reasoning? An altered level of comfort is experienced with facial surgery. Therefore, all surgeries result in an altered level of comfort
Inductive reasoning
Which type of reasoning moves from the specific to the general
Inductive reasoning
4. Nursing diagnosis
Problem identification in the research process would be equivalent to which step in the nursing process? 1. Goal identification 2. Data interpretation 3. Identifying solutions 4. Nursing diagnosis
A small urepresentative sample s an example of which of the following?
Methodologcal limitation
In conducting a keyword search of a literature database, including the Boolean operator "AND" to connect two words has what effect on the search results?
Narrows the search to include only articles that contain both words
Another name for snowball sampling is
Network sampling
Which of the following best describes a primary source
Original information Journal Article
-The result of care or in determining the changes in health status of patient.
Outcomes research in health care is oriented toward establishing:
In performing a complex literature search using a computerized database, what term should be between each of the keywords?
AND
How can a nurse manager advance EBP as part of evaluating his or her staff
Use performance criteria related to EBP.
Essential elements of informed consent include which of the following
disclosure of essential information regarding the study, comprehension of essential study information, and competency to give consent
Ethical research involves citation of previous researchers and their findings to assist in the
evolution of nursing knowledge and practice
The three major categories of quantitative research designs are
experimental, quasi-experimental, nonexperimental
Trial and error is not a preferred approach for delivering nursing care because
it is not based on systematic scientific approaches.
Grounded theory is based on the belief that
it is possible to understand the process by which something happens, rather that just describing what is happening
Creating an EBP culture is an example of contribution at the
organizational level.
In searching a literature database, you would use the ____________ technique to designate which fields (e.g., author, title, subject, publication date) are to be included in the search.
qualification
A method of sampling in which all people in the population of interest have an equal chance of being selected to be included in the study is
random sampling.
Causality is the ____________ that exists between a cause and its effect.
relationship
Which of the following are measured in research?
Variables
Which of the following variables can be directly measured?
Vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure)
Study validity refers to
the ability to accept that the research results are logical, reasonable, and justifiable based on the evidence presented.
2. not well-defined and general.
"Abstract" is defined in research as: 1. particular and realistic. 2. not well-defined and general. 3. well-defined and precise. 4. concrete and specific.
A line 100mm long with right-angle stops at each end indicating bipolar describing sensations is referred to as: Visual analogue scale
...
In research studies using nonexperimental designs, the purpose is to
describe a phenomenon in detail. predict relationships and differences among variables. explain relationships and differences among variables
Simple Hypothesis
describes the associative or causal relationship between two variables
-Control
A research study validates the positive effect that a nursing intervention, patient journaling, has on decreasing spiritual distress during cancer recovery. This would be an example of which type of research evidence?
2. control
A researcher designs a study that uses a random sampling method to decrease the likelihood of bias in the study sample. This strategy was used to implement: 1. manipulation. 2. control. 3. data collection. 4. experimental research.
What type of research involves the systematic investigation of relationships among variables?
Correlational research
For nursing as a discipline to be effective in research, which of the following should be the focus of research-directed activity?
Creating a culture within nursing that value, uses, and supports research
In studies, the intervention is expected to have a small effect size. Which of the following statements about effect size is true?
Differences between groups will be more difficult to detect
Evidence of validity of measurement can be obtained by examining
Different groups
Which section of a quantitative research report includes the implications of the findings for nursing practice and theory and the recommendation for further research?
Discussion
Which section of a research article provides an interpretation of the study's results?
Discussion
External validity refers to
he degree to which the findings can be generalized to other subjects, settings, and times
A ____________ is a special type of proposition that has a theoretical basis and can be tested empirically.
hypothesis
A type of quantitative study is the ____________, which examines outcomes across a number of studies.
meta-analysis
The concepts that are core to nursing are person, environment, health, and nurse; these are known as the nursing
metaparadigm
the consent form in a research proposal needs to include all the following except
Treatments provided to the control group
Which of the following statements about historical research is true?
Triangulation of data collection methods and verification from other sources make life histories more valuable
The advanced practice nurse can work to implement EBP by
Uses evidence to writes and modify practice standards. Locates relevant evidence and synthesizes evidence for practice. Serving as a coach and mentor in EBP.
Systematic error can be diminished by
Using a valid measurement tool
A relationship between variables so that when one variable changes, the other variable changes is a(n)
associative relationship.
Research outcomes should focus on
specific recommendations for implementation (or not) of the findings in practice, what the findings contribute to building knowledge, and specific recommendations for future research
The advantage of using a quasi-experimental design in nursing is
the design is more adaptable to real-world settings.
Which of the following statements describes the special relationship between the participants and the researcher in qualitative research?
the participants are considered to be colleagues
The reliability and validity of historical research are based on which of the following concerns?
the reliability of the primary data source
The term representativeness means that
the sample must be like the population in as many ways as possible
Sampling that helps to develop theory is called
theoretical sampling
Readers of theoretical literature often experiences confusion in the use of the terms "conceptual model" and "theory." Which of the following statements reflect(s) general consensus about the use of these terms in nursing?
theories present a view of phenomenon that is specific enough to be used to guide research, the scope of the theories is limited in comparison with that of conceptual models, and conceptual models are broad and abstract and reflect a philosophical position
A ____________ is a set of concepts linked through propositions to explain a phenomenon.
theory
Research proposals may be eligible for an expedited review by the IRB if they involve minimal risk to participants. This means that:
there is a very low risk of harm or discomfort to study participants, no more than that involved in daily life or routine physical or psychological exams.
Nonprobability quota sampling is most closely related to which of the following probability sampling techniques?
Stratified random sampling
When subjects area selected randomly on the basis of their fir in categories of variables important to the study, the sampling method is referred to as
Stratified random sampling
What term is used to describe the specific goal or aim of a study?
Study purpose
The directional hypothesis for a study is
Substantive theory and/or previous research
Which of the following hypotheses would be linked with a Pearson correlation coefficient analysis?
X and Y occur together
A researcher identified modifiable risk factors that had an impact on smoking. If you wanted to do an approximate replication of that study, could you change the operational definition of the concept of "smoking"?
Yes, but the new operationalization would need to be similar to the conceptual definition
Which of the following statements should be cited if used in a research paper
Zithromax has shown statistically significant results in the treatment of URIs.
A variable in a study is characterized by which of the following essential elements?
a concept, a conceptual definition, a method of measurement
Which of the following statements describes how the effect size of a sample influences the null hypothesis?
a large effect size results in rejection of the null hypothesis
In searching a database, a controlled vocabulary is
a standardized, hierarchical list of terms that represent major subjects and conditions
an example of systematic error is
a thermometer measurement indicating a body temperature as 0.1 higher than the accurate temperature
When subjects are selected because they happen to be in the right place at the right time, the sampling method is referred to as
convenience sampling
Which type of design would be used by researchers interested in establishing relationships between two or more variables, for example, the type of coping used by caregivers of older adults having cognitive changes and the occurrence of elder abuse?
correlational
the definition of a set of sampling criteria is
A list of the characteristics essential to be a member of the target population
-Communication of research findings
A major focus of nursing science during the 1970s was:
1. predicts the expected results or outcomes of the study.
A research hypothesis: 1. predicts the expected results or outcomes of the study. 2. defines the theoretical framework for the study. 3. identifies the source of the problem under study. 4. clarifies the concepts used in the study.
-Area of concern in which there is a gap in the knowledge base needed for nursing practice. Research is conducted to generate essential knowledge to address the practice concern with the ultimate goal of providing evidence based practice.
A research problem is defined as a(n):
- description of variabless or concepts, examination of relationships among variables, and determination of differences between two or more groups regarding selected variables.
A research question focuses on:
-Description
A research study describing the benefits of ambulation following cesarean section would be an example of which type of research evidence?
1. applied research.
A researcher investigates the effect of frequency of position change on healing of decubitus ulcers. The study would be described as: 1. applied research. 2. basic research. 3. descriptive research. 4. phenomenological research.
Which of the following is a characteristics of qualitative research?
Analysis of the data involves individual interpretation
When a subject's identity cannot be linked, even by the researcher, with his or her individual responses, this subject is said to have
Anonymity
What type of quantitative research is conducted to generate knowledge that will directly influence clinical practice?
Applied research
Verify that all material has been subjected to the peer-review process.
Appraise the materials to ensure their integrity and applicability
4. Depends on the type of study
At what point is the literature review conducted in a qualitative investigation? 1. Prior to study implementation 2. During study implementation 3. After study completion (otherwise it will influence the researchers openness) 4. Depends on the type of study
You are a new nurse working at XYZ hospital. Your preceptor tells you to dangle Ms. Jones' legs on the side of the bed before you attempt to assist her to a chair. You ask your preceptor why this is done and she answers, "Because I said so." This is an example of which type of evidence?
Authority
Which of the following statements about outcome variables is true?
Available measuring instruments must be sensitive enough to detect changes over time
Several problems can occur during data collection. Which f the following is a researcher-related problem?
Bias
Data collection and data analysis occur simultaneously in qualitative research. One technique that is used to help the research to not misinterpret the phenomenon as the subject experiences it is to set aside what is known about the experiences. This technique is called
Bracketing
Which of the following statements about obtaining permission to study children is true?
Children aged 7 or older, with normal cognitive development, may be asked to assent to participating in research
Which of the following potential research subjects have diminished autonomy and are considered incompetent to give informed consent?
Children, Mentally ill, cognitively impaired elderly
A researcher can undertake random sampling by which of the following strategies?
Choosing the participants out of a hat, Using a computer program, Assigning each volunteer a number and then choosing the participants using a random numbers tabe
After entering data into a database, the researcher prints a copy of the data and cross-checks all of the data for accuracy. This process is referred to as
Cleaning the data
When a full-text article is found in a bibliographic citation database, how does the researcher obtain the article?
Clicking on the link
The process of describing clinical problems, identifying possible courses action, assessing the probability of outcomes, and calculating a optimal course of action is referred to as
Clinical decision analysis
In which type of designs do neither subjects nor individuals administering the treatments know if subjects are receiving experimental interventions or the standard of care?
Double-blind experimental
Encouraging the participation to keep talking is a strategy used in interviews to
Elicit more information n a specific area
Which of the following is not part of the balancing of benefits and risk for a study?
Eliminating all risk of the study
Which qualitative research methodology requires the understanding of culture before initiating data collection?
Ethnographic
Which type of qualitative research method was used by the theorist Leinger in her study of nursing practice?
Ethnographic
What level of review by an institutional review board (IRB) should be undertaken for a study in which subjects participate in interviews about their lived experience f being a nurse?
Expedited review
A researcher who makes up results of a study is guilty of
Fabrication
Which design type allows researchers to manipulate more than one intervention during the same experiment?
Factorial
3. Availability of subjects
Feasibility is determined by examining which of the following? 1. Researcher's credibility 2. Significance of research problem 3. Availability of subjects 4. Previous studies
Who is identified as the first nursing research?
Florence Nightingale
2. Data collection and analysis
Florence Nightingale is most noted for which of the following contributions to nursing research? 1. Case study approach to research 2. Data collection and analysis 3. Framework and model development 4. Quasi-experimental study design
The mean is the basic statistic that forms the base for many more advanced statistical procedures. Which of the following statements about the mean is true?
It is the mathematical average of a set of scores
Which of the following characteristics is not descriptive of quantitative research?
It is used to develop a theory
Sometimes a search strategy identifies too many sources. How might the researcher limit the number of citations to retrieve and critique?
Limit the years from which the researcher wishes to use citations usually the most recent, combine concepts using AND so that only citations that address all of the concepts are identified, and Request citations only for articles that can be downloaded as the full-text version
Research problems occur when there are gaps in knowledge about how to address a significant clinical problem. Which of the following would indicate that current knowledge is insufficient and that additional study of a clinical problem is needed?
Little is known about the variables, findings of previous studies have been inconclusive and/or conflicting, and ethnic minority and women subjects have not been included in many states
Which of the following statements correctly describes a true experiment?
Making modifications to true experimental designs decreases their internal and external validity
A researcher interested in studying the effect of hearing loss on self-esteem in adolescents in grades 6 through 12 would need to be aware of what type of threat to internal validity?
Maturation
Using decision theory, if the alpha level of significance for determining differences between groups is set at .05, which of the following probability levels calculated during data analysis has the most significant difference?
None of the Above
The researcher want o collect data abut the evaluation process of staff nurses on a unit. Which of the following measurement tool is best to gather the data?
Questionnaire
Which of the following elements are required in an experimental design?
Random assignment of subjects to groups, control of variance in sampling, and carefully defined variables
which of the following is an example of cluster sampling
Random hospitals are selected in a region, and then nurses in each hospital intensive care unit (ICU) are asked to participate in the study
Which of the following statements about sampling is true?
Random or probability sampling methods require more rigor and research control
Which of the following statements gives the major difference between control groups and comparison groups in experimental research?
Random selection of subjects for the sample and random assignment to groups are hallmarks of true control groups
As a staff nurse, how can you further educate yourself about EBP?
Read evidence related to your area of practice on a regular basis.
In some studies, researchers make a formal statement of the expected relationship between two or more variables in a specified population. This formal statement is a
Research hypothesis
The "Methods" section of a research report should include a subsection on the measurement methods used. Which of the following statements related to the information to be included in this subsection?
Sufficient information about the instrument must be provided for he reader to see the link between the concept and the way it was operationalized in the study
Which of the following is an example of secondary sources
Reviews Commentaries or interpretations Summaries of primary sources
Which of the following is not a human right that requires protection during the conduct of a study?
Right to experience the treatment
What is the purpose of formulating a hypothesis or hypotheses?
To provide direction for the research study by identifying possible outcomes
Research is conducted for which of the following reasons?
To test theory, to develop new knowledge, and to generate theory
Which of the following is the best definition of evidence-based practice (EBP)?
Use of theory-derived, research-based information in making decisions about health care delivery, with consideration of individual needs and preferences and the clinical expertise of the provider.
Nursing research is a scientific process that
Validates existing knowledge, refines existing knowledge, and generates new knowledge
Which of the following states the primary characteristic(s) of variables that separate them from concepts?
Values of variables must be able to be measured or manipulated, and the values must vary among the objects, people, or situations in the study
2. Type of dressing ---------> skin changes
Which relationship diagram below best represents the following hypothesis? "Conventional gauze dressings cause fewer skin changes in wound sites than do hydrocolloid or hydroactive dressings." 1. Gauze dressing ----------> skin changes 2. Type of dressing ---------> skin changes 3. Type of dressing <---------> wound site 4. Gauze dressing <--------- wound site
In searching database subject headings, you would use the ____________ technique to broaden the search by locating all records indexed to your search term plus any that include the term in a related, narrower category
exploding
Variables that confuse the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable, so that the research results do not really reflect a true relationship between the independent and dependent variables are
extraneous variables
As an undergraduate student, which of the following should be the focus of your literature review?
gathering information
Probability is how likely it is that the effect of the dependent variable was caused by the ____________ variable.
independent
The degree to which one can conclude that the independent variable, rather than extraneous variables, produced the change in the dependent variable is known as
internal validity.
Manipulation is the ____________, or treatment, that is being tested in an experimental study.
intervention
Explicit statements of how a variable will be measured, such as using a rating scale to collect quantitative data regarding pain, are called
operational definitions
1. Purpose
or goal of the study based on the identified problem? 1. Purpose 2. Literature review 3. Methodology 4. Assumptions
A sample should be homogenous because
the ample with common characteristics more clearly indicates the impact of a treatment
External validity refers to
the degree to which the findings can be generalized to other subjects, settings, and times.
The purpose statement of a qualitative study is expected to identify
the focus of the investigation (e.g. an event, a phenomenon, a culture)
A researcher reports that a finding in a study comparing effectiveness of two interventions is statistically significant. Which of the following statements about this study is true?
the level of significance of the statistical finding reveals nothing about the actual size of the difference
Philosophy influences the way in which people view the world, what they consider to be real, and the beliefs, values, and attitudes they hold. Which of the following statements about nursing philosophy, practice, and research is true?
the philosophies of the nursing support both quantitative and qualitative approaches to research
Which of the following statements correctly describes the research problem and purpose of the study in a quantitative study?
the purpose statement is very specific about what will be studied, whereas the problem statement is more abstract
According to sampling theory, findings can be generalized to
the target population
Which of the following statements about use of descriptive statistics is true?
they are used in every research study, qualitative as well as quantitative, they are used to identify patterns in data, and they are used to address objectives of some studies
What is the best definition of intervention theories?
they show why a procedure works
Researchers use nonexperimental, descriptive designs for a variety of purposes, including
to assess current practice for early stages of theory development.
The best definition of outliers is that they are
unusual scores that should be examined
In research, a(n) ____________ is an observation that can be measured by assigning a number to each dimension.
variable
The sampling method most desired for outcome studies is
Convenience sampling using large heterogeneous samples
Which of the following is not a descriptive statistic?
Correlation
Which are examples of scales
Rating, Likert, Semantic differential
In health-related experimental designs, the group of subjects receiving the standard of care but not the intervention is the
control group.
Which of the following are the four major parts most often included in a research report?
Introduction, methods, results, discussion
Which of the following statements describes a heterogeneous study?
Members of a sample have different values on study variables
Sources of research problems for nursing research include
Nursing practice, Areas of health concern, and the literature
What is an effective way to control extraneous variables?
Randomization
Which of the following types of sampling is considered to be the weakest? a. Cluster b. Convenience c. Quota d. Systematic
ANS: B
Which type of reliability is examined by Cronbach's alpha?: homogeneity
...
2. dependent variable.
"Structured preoperative support is more effective in reducing surgical patients' perception of pain and request for analgesics than structured postoperative support." "Perception of pain" is the: 1. independent variable. 2. dependent variable. 3. attribute variable. 4. extraneous variable.
1. independent variable.
"Structured preoperative support is more effective in reducing surgical patients' perception of pain and request for analgesics than structured postoperative support." "Type of support" is the: 1. independent variable. 2. dependent variable. 3. attribute variable. 4. extraneous variable.
2. dependent variable.
"Structured preoperative support is more effective in reducing surgical patients' perception of pain and request for analgesics than structured postoperative support." 15. "Request for analgesics" is the: 1. independent variable. 2. dependent variable. 3. attribute variable. 4. extraneous variable.
3. complex, directional, research.
"Structured preoperative support is more effective in reducing surgical patients' perception of pain and request for analgesics than structured postoperative support." This hypothesis is: 1. simple, directional, research. 2. complex, nondirectional, null. 3. complex, directional, research. 4. simple, nondirectional, statistical.
Analyses performed in studies with more than two groups often indicate that the groups are significantly different but do not identify which groups are different. In such instances, a second analysis is then performed to identity significant differences between groups. These analyses are referred to as: Post hoc analyses
...
Many decisions need to be made in selecting the appropriate statistical procedure for a study. Which of the following statements about selection of statistical procedures is true?: Specifying the purpose of the study and stating the hypotheses or research questions will narrow the options of statistical procedures considerably
...
which of the following I not an example of a Scale? Questionnaire
...
which of the following will provide the most sensitive measurement of a concept such as pain intensity? A visual analogue scale
...
What is the minimum acceptable power in a study?
.80
the definition of target population is
A list of all members of the population
2. Design
2.The plan in the problem-solving process is equivalent to which step in the research process? 1. Outcomes 2. Design 3. Implementation 4. Goal identification Design
the definition of sampling frame is
A list of every member of the population
3. Natural
7. Applied research seeks to solve a clinical problem in which setting? 1. Controlled 2. Laboratory 3. Natural 4. Simulated
According to the theoretical normal curve, what percent of the scores un a data set are within 2 standard deviations (above and below) the mean?
95%
3. keywords.
A critical aspect of beginning a database search for relevant literature on a topic of interest involves identifying: 1. reference management software. 2. electronic journals. 3. keywords. 4. existing knowledge.
2. an academic library.
A crucial resource for researchers conducting a literature review would be: 1. a secondary source. 2. an academic library. 3. lay literature. 4. a research mentor.
1. Consumer
A nurse who reads research articles and incorporates research findings into nursing practice would demonstrate which of the following research roles? 1. Consumer 2. Primary investigator 3. Collaborator 4. Producer
1. Natural, field
A researcher is interested in studying stress and coping in caregivers of elderly stroke victims. The researcher designs a study where data collection takes place in the caregiver's home. This would be an example of which type of research setting? 1. Natural, field 2. Highly controlled, field 3. Partially controlled, laboratory 4. Highly controlled, laboratory
-Descriptive
A researcher is studying the relationship between age and involvement in social activities. This is what type of research?
3. Prediction
A researcher theorizes that walking three times per week will minimize the likelihood of premature labor in at-risk pregnant women. The researcher initiates a research program to test this theory. This research study is attempting to validate what aspect of theory? 1. Development 2. Explanation 3. Prediction 4. Strategies for controlling outcomes
Case study designs can involve in-depth study of
A single institution, Small groups of subjects, A family
Of the situations listed, which is the best example of collaboration between the levels described in the model of EBP collaboration?
A staff nurse uses findings from the Joanna Briggs Institute to support an EBP project, evaluates outcomes, and reports the findings at an international conference
Concepts identified in a study may or may not be variables in that specific study. In which of the following studies would the concept "gender" also be a variable?
A study comparing men and women in their response to an intervention
4. researcher's "theory" or idea about the study.
A study framework reflects the: 1. blueprint for the study. 2. specific plan for data collection. 3. data analysis strategy. 4. researcher's "theory" or idea about the study.
What is a landmark study?
A study that changes the literature
A person is shopping in the mall and is approached by individuals who identify themselves as researchers for a local food chain. They ask the person to participate in their study by answering a few questions. As a subject for this survey, the person was selected by which method of sampling? a. Convenience sampling b. Purposive sampling c. Random sampling d. Systematic sampling
ANS: A
Which of the following samples is least likely to be representative of the overall population? a. Convenience b. Quota c. Random d. Stratified random
ANS: A
The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America referred the interested researcher to a local chapter of the organization. The local chapter agreed to send out letters on behalf of the researcher inviting potential subjects to contact the researcher if they are willing to participate in a study. Potential subjects in this situation would be described as the: a. accessible population. b. element. c. sample. d. target population.
ANS: A An accessible population is the portion of the target population to which the researcher has reasonable access.
The population from which the researcher selects the actual study sample is referred to as the: a. accessible population. b. scientific population. c. target population. d. theoretical population.
ANS: A An accessible population is the portion of the target population to which the researcher has reasonable access. The sample is obtained from the accessible population.
An advantage of convenience sampling is: a. ease in obtaining subjects. b. increased internal validity and control. c. low risk of sampling bias. d. representativeness of sample is ensured.
ANS: A Convenience samples are inexpensive, accessible, and usually require less time to acquire than other types of samples.
Which of the following study types would require the largest sample size? a. Correlational b. Experimental c. Grounded theory d. Phenomenology
ANS: A Descriptive studies and correlational studies often require very large samples. In these studies multiple variables may be examined, and extraneous variables are likely to affect subjects' responses to the variables under study.
Which of the following is true about sample size? a. An adequate sample size is particularly important to detect differences when they do in fact exist. b. Evaluating the possibility of a Type I error will help determine sample size. c. Finding a significant difference in study groups occurs most often with smaller samples. d. Sample size is especially important to support significant findings.
ANS: A Evaluating the adequacy of the sample size is very important when no differences have been found. Too small a sample can result in no difference being detected, even when there actually is one.
The term "comparison group" in research refers to the group of patients in a: a. nonrandom sample who do not receive a treatment. b. nonrandom sample who receive a treatment. c. random sample who do not receive a treatment. d. random sample who receive a treatment.
ANS: A If nonrandom methods are used for sample selection, the group not receiving a treatment is referred to as a comparison group.
Which of the following is true about probability sampling? Probability sampling: a. can take different forms, but random selection is always used. b. is the most economical way to get large numbers of subjects. c. guarantees that the sample is representative. d. subjects are handpicked because they have the expertise to provide information for the study.
ANS: A Random sampling allows each individual in the population an opportunity to be selected for the sample.
Which of the following statements is true about stratified random sampling? a. Allows the researcher to use a smaller sample size b. Ensures obtaining a larger sample at lower cost c. Internal validity is strengthened with this type of sampling d. Involves the selection of certain subjects from a convenience sample
ANS: A With stratification, the researcher can use a smaller sample size and achieve the same degree of representativeness in relation to the stratified variable as a large sample acquired through simple random sampling.
Which type of sampling will get the largest number of subjects in the shortest period of time? a. Cluster sampling b. Convenience sampling c. Network or snowball sampling d. Random sampling
ANS: B
The adequacy of a sample would be primarily based on which of the following criteria? a. Method chosen for sample selection b. Representativeness of the population c. Size of the total population d. Willingness of subjects to participate
ANS: B A sample needs to be representative in terms of characteristics, such as age, gender, ethnicity, income, and education
Which of the following statements is true about sampling plans? a. A probability sampling plan is a better plan than a nonprobability one. b. A sampling plan outlines strategies used to obtain a sample for a study. c. Each study has its own sampling method, unique to that project. d. Getting a sample that is the most representative is the ideal, not the goal, of the sampling plan.
ANS: B A sampling plan, or sampling method, defines the selection process for a study.
The sample size needed for a study increases when: a. the alpha level is increased from .01 to .05. b. the number of variables in the study increases. c. a one-tailed versus a two-tailed statistical test is used. d. the sensitivity of the instruments used is high.
ANS: B As the number of variables under study increases, the sample size needed may increase.
Which of the following is true about theoretical sampling? a. All studies use theoretical sampling as a background for creating the sample. b. Grounded theory research frequently uses theoretical sampling to develop a selected theory. c. Subjects are selected to participate in a research study to match certain theory characteristics. d. Theoretical sampling is a little-used, but powerful method of creating a sample for quantitative research.
ANS: B Because of the nature of grounded theory methodology, theoretical sampling is used.
Cluster sampling is: a. a form of nonprobability sampling used in small surveys. b. also known as multistage sampling. c. unlikely to result in sampling errors. d. useful when the target population is found in a small geographical area.
ANS: B Both terms, cluster sampling and multistage sampling, have the same meaning in sampling methods.
Which of the following types of studies would need the largest sample size? a. Case studies b. Descriptive studies c. Experimental studies d. Quasi-experimental studies
ANS: B Descriptive studies often require very large samples. Multiple variables may be examined, and extraneous variables are likely to affect subject response(s) to the variables under study.
Which of the following is true about sample size in a qualitative study? a. "Adequate sample size" is of no concern to a qualitative researcher because there is no statistical analysis involved. b. Sample size is deemed to be adequate when the researcher is detecting no new knowledge from additional subjects. c. Subjects who have knowledge of a situation assist the researcher in determining whether the sample size is adequate. d. There is a test similar to the power analysis in a quantitative study that can be used to determine an adequate sample size for qualitative research.
ANS: B In qualitative research, the researcher looks for data saturation, which is reached when no new information is being discovered from additional subjects
Which of the following is an example of purposive sampling? a. The names of all possible subjects are put into a hat, and an adequate number are drawn out. b. Volunteers are solicited from the entire population, and those who agree become subjects in the study. c. Sample members are determined by finding a designated number of subjects from each of several identified groups (men, women, high school graduates, etc.). d. Subjects who have knowledge about the study topic are asked to participate in the study; those who agree become the sample.
ANS: B Purposive sampling is when appropriate subjects are found by the researcher and asked to participate in the study.
Why do qualitative researchers need to be as concerned with sample size as quantitative researchers do? Qualitative researchers: a. are reaching the objectives of their study in a similar way. b. need subjects who are able and willing to share their knowledge, oftentimes in repeated and more in-depth interviews than subjects in quantitative studies. c. need to gain a narrow focus rather than a broad perspective as their research purpose. d. will be analyzing the data with statistical techniques that require certain numbers of subjects.e
ANS: B Qualitative research oftentimes requires the subjects to share their knowledge of the topic being studied in an in-depth level in repeated interviews. Therefore the researcher needs to ensure that the sample size is adequate to provide the depth and rich data that are required.
Which of the following factors do not influence saturation of data and therefore sample size in a qualitative study? a. Quality of the data b. Randomization of the sample c. Scope of the study d. Study design
ANS: B Randomization of the data is a concern for quantitative research designs. All other choices are concerns for saturation of data in qualitative research.
In a study investigating nurses' attitudes toward taking care of respiratory disease patients who had a long history of smoking, the researcher randomly selected a sample from a list of all the registered nurses from a randomly selected list of four states in the Southeast. Because the sample was drawn randomly, to what population can the findings of the study be generalized? Registered nurses in the: a. Selected four states b. Southeast c. Southeast who are actively working d. United States
ANS: B This study used a cluster sampling technique that is one type of random sampling plan.
A researcher wants to obtain a sample of individuals who are HIV positive. Which of the following sampling methods would be the most effective way to obtain a sample? a. Accidental sampling b. Cluster sampling c. Network sampling d. Simple random sampling
ANS: C
The researcher is to select a set of five subjects using a random numbers table. The selected population is 50. The researcher's pencil was initially placed on the second column from the left and third row down. The decision is to move across the columns to the right. 06 84 10 22 56 72 25 70 69 43 07 63 10 34 66 39 54 02 33 85 03 19 63 93 72 52 13 30 44 40 77 32 69 58 25 15 55 38 19 62 20 01 94 54 66 88 43 91 34 28 The subject numbers will be: a. 13, 30, 44, 40, 32 b. 19, 38, 55, 15, 25 c. 19, 63, 93, 72, 52 d. 33, 02, 54, 39, 66e
ANS: C
Subjects who participate in a study of patients with inflammatory bowel disease are described as the: a. accessible population. b. element. c. sample. d. target population.
ANS: C A sample is that group of people who are representing the entire population and participating in the study. Samples are expected to represent an entire population.
To detect a significant difference between two groups when the effect size is small, what should the researcher do? a. Conduct a pilot study. b. Obtain a different sample. c. Increase the sample size. d. Perform additional analysis.
ANS: C Increasing the sample size makes it easier to detect a difference.
A researcher was able to obtain a list of all lung cancer patients in the Southeast. If a table of random numbers was used to create a sample from that original list and then those individuals agreed to participate in a study, what kind of sample would have been created? a. Cluster b. Convenience c. Simple random d. Stratified random
ANS: C Simple random sampling is when every member of the population has an equal chance of selection for the sample.
Which of the following sets of terms represents an appropriate pairing of a probability sampling method and a corresponding nonprobability sampling one? a. Cluster sampling—snowball technique b. Simple random sampling—convenience sampling c. Stratified random sampling—quota sampling d. Theoretical sampling—quota sampling
ANS: C Stratified random sampling and quota sampling both attempt to balance the sample in terms of known characteristics in the population.
In a study investigating nurses' attitudes toward taking care of respiratory disease patients who had a long history of smoking, the researcher randomly selected a sample from a list of all the registered nurses from a randomly selected list of four states in the Southeast. If the researcher also selected the sample by randomly selecting nurses who smoke and those who do not, what sampling technique is being used? a. Cluster b. Quota c. Stratified random d. Systematic
ANS: C Stratified random sampling is used when certain characteristics of the group are identified and then proportionately included in the randomly chosen sample. Assuming the researcher first knew whether or not a nurse smoked, then this represents that sampling technique.
Apart from sample size, which of the following is typically not considered when determining the power of a study? a. Sensitivity of the instruments used b. Number of variables c. Skill of the researcher d. Data analysis techniques
ANS: C The skill of the researcher does not affect the statistical power of a study. All other answers are correct.
A researcher reports on a study conducted to determine if a new educational program has helped dialysis patients become more compliant with their fluid restrictions. The findings indicated that there was no difference. The report did include that a power analysis was performed to determine if the sample size (n = 100) was adequate. The power level was .5. What should the reader conclude? a. A sample of 100 is certainly adequate in a clinical study. The researcher should adjust the educational program. b. Chances are high that a Type I error has occurred. c. Findings of no difference are not surprising; it is difficult to make an impact on this population of patients. d. There is a high likelihood that the sample size was not adequate, and the study should be replicated using more subjects.
ANS: D A power level needs to reach .8 to be acceptable, and this one had only .5. There is a good chance that a Type II error occurred, and the study should be replicated.
Which of the following research settings is not correctly paired with the type of setting? a. Clinical research unit—highly controlled setting b. Indoor playroom—natural setting c. Primary care clinic—partially controlled setting d. Subject's home—partially controlled setting
ANS: D A subject's home would be a natural research setting, so it is paired incorrectly with "partially controlled setting.
Another name for probability sampling is: a. accidental sampling. b. purposive sampling. c. quota sampling. d. random sampling.
ANS: D In probability sampling, every member of the population has a probability higher than zero of being selected for the sample. To achieve this probability, the sample is obtained randomly.
Which of the following would be the best method for randomly assigning subjects (n = 40) to treatment (n = 20) and control (n = 20) groups in an intervention study? Assign numbers to all subjects and: a. ignore numbers; group the subjects by diagnosis or physician. b. place the first 20 subjects in one group and the last in the other. c. put even-numbered subjects in one group, odd numbered in the other. d. put numbers 1 to 40 in a box and blindly draw from the box.
ANS: D In the approach described, all 40 of the subjects have an equal chance of being assigned to either the treatment group or the control group.
In a study of liver transplant recipients, the researcher specifies that the subjects must be 18 years of age or older and the recipient of only one liver transplant. These criteria are an example of: a. demographic attributes. b. exclusion criteria. c. extraneous variables. d. inclusion criteria.
ANS: D Inclusion criteria are those characteristics that the subject or element must possess to be part of the target population.
Which of the following is true about network sampling? a. Eligibility criteria do not need to be defined carefully. b. Finding large numbers of subjects by this means is easy and economical. c. Sample representativeness is guaranteed by using this technique. d. Subjects who have knowledge of a situation, often sensitive or not socially acceptable, are identified by others in the same type of situation.
ANS: D Network sampling is useful for locating samples difficult or impossible to obtain in other ways. Network sampling takes advantage of social networks and the fact that friends tend to have characteristics in common.
A researcher wanting to explore the lives of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer obtains a random sample of the population. What part of the study will be strengthened because of the random sample? a. Feasibility b. Reliability c. Statistical power d. Validity
ANS: D Random samples increase the validity of a study.
A sample that accurately reflects the characteristics of the population from which it is drawn is a: a. cluster sample. b. purposive sample. c. random sample. d. representative sample.
ANS: D Representativeness means that the sample, accessible population, and target population are alike in as many ways as possible.
Findings of an intervention study with a convenience sample: a. are generalizable to a wider group of patients with related problems. b. are to be discounted because they are extremely biased. c. provide no useful information. d. should be replicated before being applied to a wider population.
ANS: D Representativeness of the sample is a concern in convenience sampling, and generalizability is therefore limited.
Sample attrition would be reflected by the: a. average death rate of the population under study. b. inability to access identified members of a population. c. number of patients who die while participating in a study. d. number of patients who drop out of a study.
ANS: D Sample attrition or mortality is the withdrawal or loss of subjects from a study
Sampling in research may be defined as: a. insurance that each person has a chance of being included in the study. b. establishment of criteria for eligibility to participate in a study. c. identification of the population in which the researcher is interested. d. selection of a subset of a population to represent the whole population.
ANS: D Sampling involves selecting a group of people, events, behaviors, or other elements with which to conduct a study. Samples are expected to represent a population of people.
Which of the following are not correctly paired as similar types of sampling methods? a. Convenience sampling—accidental sampling b. Network sampling—snowball sampling c. Purposive sampling—selective sampling d. Stratified random sampling—quota sampling
ANS: D Stratified random sampling and quota sampling differ in randomness; quota sampling does not allow for equal likelihood of entering the sample from the target population. Convenience and accidental sampling describe similar types of sampling methods.
A researcher is interested in studying lifestyle management in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The researcher contacts the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America to determine how to best access this patient population. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are an example of which of the following? a. Accessible population b. Element c. Sample d. Target population
ANS: D The target population is the entire set of individuals who meet the sampling criteria.
Which is the largest group from among this list? a. Accessible population b. Control group c. Sample d. Target population
ANS: D The target population is the group the researcher wants to generalize to and needs the sample to represent.
Which section of a research article provides an overview of the study?
Abstract
- personal experience
Benner (1984) emphasizes the importance of acquiring clinical knowledge and expertise through:
What national organizations can nurses use to locate EBP resources and EBP-based clinical guidelines?
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Nursing Practice Network, and specialty nursing organizations.
2. reasoning from a single diabetic patient to all diabetic patients.(specific to the genereal)
An example of inductive reasoning is: 1. reasoning from all chronically ill patients to a single chronically ill patient. 2. reasoning from a single diabetic patient to all diabetic patients.(specific to the genereal) 3. using a standard nursing care plan to care for a specific patient. 4. using a computerized nursing care plan to care for insulin-dependent diabetic patients.
A nurse conducting a keyword search of a literature database enters the search terms "anorexia NOT bulimia" to obtain what result?
Articles that discuss anorexia only
A relational statement says that a relationship of some kind exists between two or more concepts. For the statement "the relationship between two concepts is positive," which of the following is an accurate translation?
As the values of Concept A increase, values of Concept B can be expected to increase
The statement "People want control of their own health problems" is an example of which of the following?
Assumption
What characteristics are descriptive of quantitative research?
Basic elements of analysis are numbers, data are analyzed with statistics, and generalization of findings is important
3. pilot study.
Before implementing a large, multisite research investigation, a researcher conducts a smaller study of the planned study to identify any problematic areas. This smaller study is known as a(n): 1. abstract. 2. exploratory design. 3. pilot study. 4. proposal.
The emic approach to ethnographic research involves studying
Behavior from within the culture
What compels nurses to continue learning throughout their careers to avoid becoming laggards
Changes over time regarding knowledge of effective practices
What level of institutional review board (IRB) review should be undertaken for a study in which the subjects participate in a clinical trial of new medications?
Complete review by only IRB
Adults using guided-imagery relaxation have a lower heart rate, blood pressure, and perceived anxiety level that adults not using a relaxation technique. Which of the following set of characteristics best describes this hypothesis?
Complex, casual, research hypothesis
1. the meanings of terms may differ depending on the study framework.
Conceptual definitions are important because: 1. the meanings of terms may differ depending on the study framework. 2. they tell others how the concept will be measured in the study. 3. they provide a dictionary definition that can be understood by everyone. 4. they suggest how to precisely measure the variables of interest.
A variable that can interfere with an intervention but cannot be controlled is a(an)
Confounding variable
In developing a strategy for observational measurement, the researcher needs to ensure
Consistency
The most critical goal of proper research design is
Consistency
The term "reliability" is best understood reflecting
Consistency of measurement obtained with use of the identified instrument
Controlling the treatment is one of the elements of a good design. Which of the following statements about this element is true?
Controlling the treatment is enhanced with a clear description of all steps of the treatment
Which of the following indexes(indices) is the most helpful in locating sources for a nursing research proposal?
Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL)
A major portion of a research article is the methods section, which includes a discussion of the study design, the sample, and the ____________ collected.
Data
a unique characteristic of prospective cohort studies is that
Data are collected from subjects who are at risk for, but do not currently have the problem identified
Which international code for ethical conduct by physicians conducting biomedical research followed the Nuremberg Code and provides more specific guidelines
Declaration of Helsinki
Other than data related to the concepts being measured to address the research objectives, questions, or hypotheses, what data can be controlled in the data collection process?
Demographic data such as age, gender, and the like, Information related to the diagnosis (For clinical studies), and Cormorbid conditions or problems in addition to the admitting diagnosis
Which of the following should be done before analyzing data designed to test the hypotheses or questions for a research study?
Description of the sample, Establishing the reliability of measuring instruments, and Exploratory analysis of the data
the design for a study to gain more information about characteristics within a particular field of a study should be
Descriptive
The purpose of a study was to identify caring behaviors desired by patents with (AIDS) or (HIV) infection. This purpose statement indicates that the study probably is an example of
Descriptive research
Institutional review boards (IRBs) I universities, clinical agencies, and managed care centers are responsible for reviewing studies involving human subjects for the express purpose of
Determining if potential benefits of the investigation outweigh any risk that may be present to the subject
After completing a database search, if you have any doubts or concerns regarding the validity of articles you've located, what options do you have to resolve the issue?
Exclude any materials for which you have doubts about their integrity. Verify questionable material elsewhere using a reputable source. Ask a nursing faculty member or a librarian for assistance.
For a study that involves a chart review to obtain information abut a patient's smoking history, age, gender, and incidence of cardiovascular disease, which of the following types of review by an institutional review board (IRB) will be required?
Exempt review
What level of institutional review board (IRB) review should be undertaken for a study in which the participants complete anonymous questionnaires?
Exempt status
Subjects with diminished autonomy require which of the following types of documentation of informed consent?
Formal written consent document signed by the subject and/or parent or legal guardian
Which of the following statements about frameworks in research is true?
Frameworks are important in both qualitative and quantitative research
A nurse researcher wants to interview parents and their autistic children regarding the children's sleep patterns. This study would require which type of IRB review?
Full review
Which type of IRB review is required for research involving vulnerable populations or when there are substantial risks to participants?
Full review
What type of scholarly material can indicate upcoming "hot" topics and includes unpublished reports, conference papers, and grant proposals?
Grey literature
Which of the following qualitative research methods uses a minimal literature review?
Grounded theory
Which type of qualitative research was used by Fagerhaugh and Strauss in their study of pain management?
Grounded theory
a measurement strategy that is fairly new to nursing studies is the use of focus groups. Which of the following statements about focus group studies is true?
Groups are made up of subjects who are similar to ach other to encourage candid discussion
What is the independent variable in the following hypothesis? Adults using guided-imagery relaxation have a lower heart rate, blood pressure, and perceived anxiety level than those in adults not using a relaxation technique
Guided-imagery relaxation/no relaxation
The ____________ occurs when changes noted in the dependent variable can be a result of subject reactivity and not a result of the independent variable
Hawthorne effect
Which act requires that the privacy of people's health information be Protected?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPPA)
The process of reading and critiquing an article includes
Highlighting or noting important content and ideas throughout the article
Experimental studies are most often conducted in which of the following settings?
Highly controlled setting
The process of external criticism is used in which of the following qualitative research methodologies?
Historical
The literature may be actual source of data in which of the following qualitative methodologies?
Historical research
What is one step a staff nurse can take to advance EBP at the point of care
Identify clinical questions related to current nursing practice.
4. Music therapy
Identify the independent variable in the following hypothesis: "Cancer patients who receive music therapy complain less frequently of pain and require less pain medication than cancer patients not receiving music therapy." 1. Relaxation therapy 2. Complaints of pain 3. Pain medication use 4. Music therapy
Internal criticism in historical research refers to
Identifying possible biases, which threaten the accuracy of what was said
4. Feasibility (ethical considerations part of feasibility)
In a research proposal, the investigator notes that written permission has been obtained from three local hospitals to access patients for the proposed study. This is an example of what aspect of a study? 1. Reliability 2. Methodology 3. Ethics 4. Feasibility (ethical considerations part of feasibility)
1. Volume number
In the following APA formatted reference, what does the 21 refer to? Harris, R. M., Bausell, R. B., Scott, D. E., Hetherington, S. E., & Kavanagh, K. H. (1998). An intervention for changing high-risk HIV behaviors of African American drug-dependent women. Research in Nursing and Health, 21(3), pp. 239-250. 1. Volume number 2. Issue number 3. Chapter number 4. Bibliographic reference
2. builds on previous research.
In the literature report of a study on quality of life, the researcher describes two previous investigations suggesting that spirituality is related to quality of life. This information suggests the current study is significant because it: 1. influences theology. 2. builds on previous research. 3. challenges existing theory. 4. addresses multidisciplinary concerns.
3. may be implied.
In the research report, a theoretical statement: 1. will always be clearly identified. 2. should only be discussed in the framework section. 3. may be implied. 4. can be omitted if variables are not yet well defined.
Which section of a research article identifies the problem being studied and includes a purpose statement and background information on the topic?
Introduction
1. Literature review
In which section of the research report might the problem statement be located? 1. Literature review 2. Methods 3. Results 4. Implications
4. Experimental
In which type of research is there high researcher control, random sampling, and laboratory setting? 1. Descriptive 2. Correlational 3. Quasi experimental 4. Experimental
Which of the following would require the researcher to increase the sample size?
Increasing the number of dependent variables
In a study examining cause-and-effect interactions, the cause portion of the interaction is represented by the
Independent variable
What are the five EBP levels of collaboration
Individual, organizational, regional, national, and international
What type of research, usually based on qualitative methods, is used to develop theory
Inductive
A nurse has agreed to assist in collecting data from clients in a long-term-care setting. The nurse becomes concerned upon realizing that many of the clients participating in the study have documented cognitive impairments. Which ethical responsibility is being violated?
Informed consent
What is the role of institution in the research process
Institution may be valuable in linking ideas while interpreting findings
What are the three abstract thought process that are important to nursing
Institution, role modeling, and reasoning
Which of the following choices is an example of an item on a Likert scale?
Instructor kept convenient office hours: strongly agree; disagree; neutral; agree; strongly agree
Sources on a multiple-choice final examination represent an example of which of the following levels of measurement?
Interval
Research hypotheses may be classified as either associative or casual. Which of the following is a characteristic of associative research hypothesis?
It identifies variables that vary or change together in an identified population
Why would a researcher need to be concerned about the administration of a pretest and posttest in a research study?
It is a threat to internal validity.
As the researcher develops the research problem and purposes of the study, he or she must take into consideration the feasibility of the study. Which of the following statements best describes the concept of feasibility?
It is an evaluation of whether the researcher has the ability and resources (e.g. facilities, time, potential subjects) and ethical protections for participants to carry out the study as proposed
Which of the following was developed in the late 1940s to address ethical conduct of biomedical research?
Nuremberg Code
Evidence-Based practice in nursing should be based
On the synthesis of findings from a collection of research studies addressing nursing practice
1. previous research findings have been synthesized.
One advantage of an integrative review of research is that: 1. previous research findings have been synthesized. 2. multidisciplinary literature has been filtered out. 3. emphasis is placed on what is not known. 4. statistical analyses of the summarized research are conducted.
1. nursing practice.
One important source for identification of a research problem would be: 1. nursing practice. 2. research textbook. 3. nursing code of ethics. 4. practice guidelines.
-The conduct of clinical research and obtaining increased funding for nursing research.
One major focus of nursing research during the 1980s was:
Scientific rigor in qualitative studies requires
Openness in collecting data
Which of the following statements about operational definitions is true?
Operational definitions are developed so that variables can be measured in research
Which of the following research methodologies is (are) being used to generate nursing knowledge?
Outcomes research, qualitative research, and quantitative research
A widely used EBP model consisting of four components for identifying clinical questions for specific patient problems is known as the ____________ model.
PICO
As a staff nurse, what steps can you take to advance EBP as part of your team or unit
Participate in QI initiatives Participate in implementing practice changes based on evidence. Participate as a member of an EBP project team.
What type of reasoning is represented in the following example? Premises
Patients with untreated right-sided heart failure experience shortness of breath. Mr. Jones experiences shortness of breath.: Deductive reasoning
Which of the following correlational procedures looks at the extent of a Relationship between two variables?
Pearson Product Moment Correlation
Once an idea is generated for a research problem, what is the next step?
Perform a review of the literature
Which type of qualitative research method was used by the theorist Benner in her study of nursing practice?
Phenomenological
Which of the following research methodologies is used to study lived experiences?
Phenomenology
Which of the following statements abut error in physiologic measurement is True?
Physiologic measures are subject to several sources of error
Which of the following is the best definition of research?
Planned and systematic activity that leads to new knowledge and/or the discovery of solutions to problems or questions.
Sample size in quantitative studies is best determined by
Power analysis
Bias is a term used to indicate that data in a study are being distorted or slanted away from reality by some influencing factor. Which of the following statements about bias in research s true?
Preconceived ideas about what the findings of a study may be could lead to bias in interpreting data
The power of a statistical procedure is the
Probability that a statistical test will detect a significant difference if one exists
If you are conducting a study to examine relationships or predict an event, your study is based on which of the following theories?
Probability theory
From what field(s) did many nursing theories derive their ideas?
Psychology, physiology, sociology
Which of the following regulations is(are) used to protect animals in research studies?
Public health service policy on humane care and use of laboratory animals, animal welfare assurance statement, state and federal law
When a researcher in a qualitative study chooses the participants based on what they ma be able to contribute to the study, the sampling method is called
Purposive sampling
4. balance each other by generating different types of nursing knowledge.
Quantitative and qualitative research approaches are particularly useful in nursing because they: 1. are easy to implement. 2. require few resources. 3. are both process oriented. 4. balance each other by generating different types of nursing knowledge.
Comparison groups are a feature of which of the following research designs?
Quas-experimental study
Which design type is similar to experimental design but does not meet one of the other essential components of experimental design, lacking either randomization or a control group?
Quasi-experimental
The most common purpose for Pearson correlational is to examine
Relationships between two variables
Which of the following statements about replication studies is true?
Replication studies extent knowledge even if they do not confirm previous study findings
What is the most significant way of acquiring knowledge to develop an empirical knowledge base for nursing practice?
Research
Which of the following describes the basis of grounded theory methodology used in research?
Research continually use data to reformulate, revise, and test propositions until a theory evolves from the data
2. Subjects are able to identify a personal awareness of QOL.
Research subjects in a study of quality of life (QOL) in liver transplant recipients were asked to complete a questionnaire about their experiences following transplantation. Which of the following would be a likely assumption the researcher made in relation to this study? 1. Subjects will complete every item on the questionnaire. 2. Subjects are able to identify a personal awareness of QOL. 3. All liver transplant recipients invited to participate in the study will complete a questionnaire. 4. QOL is an important issue to liver transplant recipients.
Which of the following is a concept?
Restlessness
Data analyses are conducted to reduce, organize, and give meaning to the data. Data analyses are used to produce which of the following?
Results
-Quantitative, qualitative, and outcome research methods
Scientific knowledge is generated through:
Data saturation depends on which of the following criteria?
Scope of the study, Nature of the topic, and Quality of the data
Extraneous variables may be controlled by
Selecting a homogeneous sample
Physiologic measures may be obtained in which of the following ways?
Self-report, Observation, Electronic Monitoring
Which of the following is an advantage of self-reports over interviews?
Self-reports allow respondents to easily writ down measurements and perceptions soon after the event
the amount of change in a physiologic measure that can be detected reflects an instrument is
Sensitivity
Reading and critiquing research reports constitutes an important step in the review of literature. The first step in reading a research report is to review it by
Skimming the article to get an overall sense of the content
Outcomes in nursing research are considered time dependent for which of the following reasons?
Some findings may not be apparent for a long time, The results may be only temporary, and Outcomes in some instances are immediately seen
Which of the following does not affect the reliability of measurements in a Study?
Systematic error
Which of the following is a synonym for the concept of research
Systematic inquiry
Which of the following summarize the results and implications of large quantities of research and include articles addressing the same clinical problem?
Systematic reviews
If every fifth baby born in a city is entered into a study, the sampling method is called
Systematic sampling
A study requires diabetic subjects to perform one or more blood glucose determinations per day. The level of discomfort or risk for the subjects is rated as
Temporary discomfort
Which of the following can be achieved using a correlational design?
Testing of relationships proposed in a theoretical proposition
Manipulation is a term used in research to mean
The ability to determine the various treatments given to groups in quasi-experimental and experimental studies
The funding agency that focuses most on outcomes research is
The agency of Healthcare Policy and Research
Finding an appropriate measurement tool is based on which of the following assumptions?
The concept to be measured has been clearly defined
Regarding citation dates of literature to be included in a literature review for a research study, which of the following statements is true?
The literature review should include backgrounds on the variables in the study
Which one of the following could form the basis for a potential research study?
The majority of patient falls occur on the evening shift.
What provides an essential foundation for nursing practice
Theories and research
Research studies include both a research hypothesis, which states what the researcher thinks will be found, and a null hypothesis is true?
The null hypothesis states that no interaction occurs between variables or that no relationship exists among the variables being studiedvvv
A type I error occurs when
The results indicate a statistically significant difference when in reality no significant difference exist
4. the response or outcome that the researcher wants to understand.
The dependent variable is: 1. a stimulus or activity that is varied by the researcher. 2. the quality, property, or characteristic identified in the problem. 3. a characteristic or element of the human subjects involved in the study. 4. the response or outcome that the researcher wants to understand.
which of the following is a condition for determining causality in research studies?
The effect should not occur unless the cause is, or has been, present
3. often must be inferred by the reader from the text of the report.
The framework and conceptual map for a study: 1. are always included in the study report. 2. are usually clearly identified in the report. 3. often must be inferred by the reader from the text of the report. 4. should be referred to only at the end of the study.
Qualitative sampling focuses on what particular part of a research study?
The incidents in the lives of the participants
2. identifying the research problem.
The initial and one of the most significant steps in conducting the research process is: 1. defining the research variables. 2. identifying the research problem. 3. stating the research purpose. 4. determining the feasibility of the study.
You are examining several instruments to find the one most appropriate for your study. Which of the following findings should be of greatest concern?
The instrument has been used in a number of studies that have not reported validity and reliability data. You find a recent article written by a credible researcher criticizing the validity and reliability and evidence that the instrument is invalid for measuring the concept of interest
Which of the following is true in relation to structure interviews?
The interviewer is required to ask the questions precisely as it has bee designed
1. Empirical literature
The literature review section of a research report might include a summary of which of the following? 1. Empirical literature 2. Funding sources 3. Proposed methods and design 4. Description of study sample
which of the following is an example of mortality?
The participant leaves the study in the middle
2. delineate the existing knowledge base of an identified problem.
The primary purpose for reviewing relevant literature is to: 1. select the research design. 2. delineate the existing knowledge base of an identified problem. 3. interpret previous research findings. 4. develop conceptual and operational definitions of variables.
validate and refine existing knowledge and generate new knowledge that directly and indirectly influences nursing practice.
The primary purpose of nursing research is to:
3. Population (and setting)
The purpose statement should identify the study variable(s) and what other key aspect of the study? 1. Design 2. Measurement tools 3. Population (and setting) 4. Statistics
-Correlational
The question "Is there a relationship between caffeine intake and intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma?" is an example of:
3. Has a broader focus
The research process differs from the nursing process on which of the following? 1. Identifies new information 2. Involves abstract, critical thinking 3. Has a broader focus 4. Utilizes complex thinking
In health sciences it is unlikely that researchers will be able to establish absolute causality. Therefore, most nursing research studies must deal with relative cause and probabilities of a cause leading to an effect. Which of the following statements about probability is true?
The researcher investigates the likelihood that an effect will occur under specific circumstances
Which of the following statements about a one-tailed test of significance is True?
The researcher is interested in extreme scores in only one tail of the distribution
Written informed consent may be waived in some circumstances that present no more than minimal risk to the potential subject-for example, completion of questionnaires not asking for sensitive data. What is the researcher's responsibility in this case?
The researcher is obliged to inform the potential subject of all of the usual elements of consent (e.g., disclosure of the purpose of the study, obligations of the participant, and voluntary nature of participation) in a cover letter or in some other identified fashion
in searching databases, it is important that the researcher identify keywords to enter into the search process. Which of the following statements about these keywords is true?
The researcher may need to find synonyms of alternate terms to describe the concepts
Which of the following is an example of random measurement error?
The researcher presses the wrong key when entering data into the computer
In nursing research, which of the following researcher factors is most important in relation to statistical analysis?
The researcher should understand the meaning underlying the choice and interpretation of statistics
- abstracts
The researcher uses which portion of the research report to capture the reader's attention?
- introduction
The sentence "The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between health beliefs and breast self-examination" would most likely be found in which section of a research report?
1. Objective
The statement "This study explores the experience of caregiving by adult daughters of parents with Alzheimer disease" is an example of which of the following? 1. Objective 2. Question 3. Simple hypothesis 4. Complex hypothesis
4. Operational definition
The statement below is an example of which of the following? "In this study, pain is reflected as a score between 0 and 10 on the Post-operative Pain Rating Scale." 1. Problem statement 2. Conceptual definition 3. Associative hypothesis 4. Operational definition
For a study using one independent variables and one dependent variable, a good sample size would result if
The study had 40 participant, and 3 dropped out
Theories link interrelated concepts to present a view of phenomenon or something that is happening in nursing. Which of the following statements about theories is (are) true?
Theories begin when research findings are organized and synthesized to explain what is happening in an identified situations, theories may originate from abstract ideas, institution, or personal experiences, and many theories are needed to stimulate new and different nursing interventions or protocols
In what way can evidence from disciplines other than nursing be helpful?
Theory based non-nursing evidence can provide a basis on which to build new evidence.
Which of the following statements is a belief reflective of the worldview on which qualitative research is based?
There is not a single reality
Which of the following statements about quasi-experimental designs is true?
They are an alternative for establishing causality when an experimental study might not be ethical or feasible
Which of the following statements about research objectives, questions, and hypotheses is true?
They are used to link the research problem and purpose to the study methods and analysis strategies
Which type of bias occurs when the dependent variable is influenced by changes made in the way variables are measured?
Threat of instrumentation
What is the purpose of the peer-review process
To ensure confidence in the quality of published works
You are a new nurse working at XYZ hospital. Your preceptor tells you to dangle Ms. Jones' legs on the side of the bed before you attempt to assist her to a chair. You ask your preceptor why this is done and she answers, "This is what we have always done, so go do it." This is an example of which type of evidence?
Tradition
A randomized clinical trial is used to study what kind of effect?
Treatment outcome
Which design type is considered to be the "classic" experimental design in which subjects are randomized into either the intervention group or the control group and measured before and after the intervention is implemented?
Two group pretest-posttest
Research hypotheses also may be classified in terms of being simple or complex. Which of the following statements correctly describes a study designed to test a simple hypothesis?
Two variables are included in the hypothesis to be addressed
1. Applied research
What category of research is suggested by the following research question? "Does telephone follow-up by nurses improve patients' compliance with their medication regimens?" 1. Applied research 2. Basic research 3. Practice-related problem solving 4. Quality assurance
The research question of a phenomenological study of the birth of a first child might be
What is the meaning of a woman's lived experience of having a first child
What is the initial question the researcher should ask when selecting a research design for a particular study?
What is the primary reason for the study?
1. Complex, directional hypothesis
What type of hypothesis is the following? "Cancer patients who receive music therapy complain less frequently of pain and require less pain medication than cancer patients not receiving music therapy." 1. Complex, directional hypothesis 2. Simple, associative hypothesis 3. Simple, nondirectional hypothesis 4. Complex, null hypothesis
2. Complex, directional, associative
What type of hypothesis is the following? "Low-fat diet is related to lower total cholesterol and higher HDL (high-density lipoprotein)." 1. Complex, directional, causal (3 variables) 2. Complex, directional, associative 3. Simple, nondirectional, research 4. Simple, directional, causal
4. Simple, directional
What type of hypothesis is the following? "Normal saline flush with heparin is more effective than normal saline flush alone in maintaining patency of an intermittent intravenous site." 1. Simple, research 2. Complex, nondirectional 3. Complex, causal 4. Simple, directional
Outcomes research in health care is oriented toward establishing:
What type of research has a major focus on examining the long- and short-term as well as the negative and positive results of care across a variety of settings?
3. Quasi experimental
Which of the following types of research involve at least some control by the researcher to implement the study treatment? 1. Correlational 2. Descriptive 3. Quasi experimental 4. Experimental
3. Amount of control and precision exerted by the methodology
Which of the following definitions best describes rigor in quantitative research? 1. Time frame in which the research takes place 2. Degree of aggressiveness used in acquiring the data 3. Amount of control and precision exerted by the methodology 4. Process used to synthesize findings to form conclusions from a study
3. Formation of the National Institute for Nursing Research
Which of the following historical events had a major impact on the funding for nursing research? 1. Development of local, national, and international nursing research conferences by Sigma Theta Tau 2. Initiation of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research 3. Formation of the National Institute for Nursing Research 4. Development of a Nursing Research Council as part of the American Nurses Association
3. Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature
Which of the following indexes would provide the largest number of relevant nursing sources? 1. International Nursing Index 2. Nursing Studies Index 3. Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature 4. Index Medicus
1. The framework and hypotheses must be congruent with each other.
Which of the following is true about the relationship between a study framework and the hypotheses? 1. The framework and hypotheses must be congruent with each other. 2. The hypotheses are not meant to be testable, but the framework is. 3. If the hypotheses are stated, the researcher does not need to have a framework. 4. Hypotheses are inductively identified within the stated framework.
4. Theories are constructed by people and are tentative in nature.
Which of the following is true about theoretical frameworks used in research? 1. Theories offer precise guidance in all situations. 2. Theories prove how concepts are related to one another. 3. Theories represent ultimate truth and are congruent with reality. 4. Theories are constructed by people and are tentative in nature.
2. A report of a study written by the researcher who did the study
Which of the following represents a primary source? 1. The results of a computer search related to the primary topic of interest 2. A report of a study written by the researcher who did the study 3. A published summary of the relevant research in a primary care area 4. A thesaurus that identifies key words to use in a computer search
1. Variable
Which of the following represents the most concrete term? 1. Variable 2. Concept 3. Framework 4. Construct
3. Pain perception and anxiety are positively related to one another.
Which of the following responses best describes the relational statement that is diagrammed below? Pain perception <------- (+) --------> Anxiety 1. Increased perception of pain causes anxiety. 2. Anxiety causes increased pain perception. 3. Pain perception and anxiety are positively related to one another. 4. Pain perception and anxiety are inversely related.
3. Approaches used to investigate similar problems
Which of the following types of information is consistently covered in a quantitative literature review? 1. Descriptions of effective clinical outcomes 2. Anecdotal opinions of expert researchers 3. Approaches used to investigate similar problems 4. Clinical impressions of related phenomena
A research study report states that "Heart rate was recorded using a cardiac monitor." This statement is an example of
an operational definition
The focus of significant research problems and purposes are
addressing research priorities in nursing, building on previous research, potential impact on clinical practice
A research problem is
an area of concern or situation in need of a solution
The Belmont Report, issued in 1979, identified the following three ethical principles
beneficence, respect for persons, and justice
When extraneous variables influence and distort the relationship between the independent variable (IV) and the dependent variable (DV) so that the findings do not reflect a true relationship between the IV and the DV, the result is
bias
Many nurses in clinical settings base nursing interventions on information obtained from
colleagues
Which of the following most accurately describes the focus of outcomes research?
comparing and contrasting groups on selected preexisting variables
Researchers formulated hypotheses based on clear definitions of
concepts and variables
According to Florence Nightingale, health is defined as the absence of disease. This is an example of a(n
conceptual definition
There will be a change in nursing practice after completion of an EBP mentorship program as compared to before the mentorship program." In the preceding statement, "completion of an EBP mentorship program" represents the
dependent variable
Demographic variables are attributes of subjects that are collected to allow the researcher to
develop a description or profile of the sample
Possible choices for the variables "Education" are given as
did not graduate from high school; high school graduate; college degree; graduate degree. This set of choices is an example of which of the following levels of measurement?: Ordinal
A theory has credence until
evidence comes forward to refute it.
The researcher actively manipulates the independent (causal) variable to determine its effect on the dependent (outcome) variable when using a(n)
experimental design
Researchers perform a literature review for the purpose of
highlighting areas of needed change. helping to sharpen and focus a research question. identifying gaps in current research.
In developing a questionnaire, the researcher should
identify the essential content to be covered
When outcomes have many causes, the situation is known as
multicausality
The following statement: "There will be no difference in practice of nurses after completion of an EBP program as compared to before the mentorship program," is an example of a
null hypothesis.
In the United States during the 1970s, nursing practice included the use of granulated sugar to pack stage III and IV wounds based on the rationale that bacteria would be less invasive of new tissue formation. Over time, this method did not result in statistically significant increase in wound healing time as compared to use of normal saline wet packing. Research was begun to determine what packing method led to best wound healing. The 1970s practices provides an example of
nursing practice based on untested theory
There is a study being conducted of adults over the age of 65 to investigate the effect of caregiver education on calming communication techniques in comparison to sedative medications on the agitation level of clients experiencing stage 2 dementia. In this study, the clients' level of agitation would be the measured
outcome
An example of a ____________ is: "The use of alcohol by freshman at XYZ State University contributes to alcohol-related injuries and increasing numbers of visits to the local emergency room
problem statement
A ____________ is a statement about the relationship between two or more concepts.
proposition
An example of a ____________ is: "To determine if brief screening for alcohol use and nursing intervention during orientation reduces self-reported alcohol use, alcohol-related injuries, and visits to the emergency room by college students during their freshman year."
purpose statement
An area of concern due to a gap in knowledge that requires a solution that can be described, explained, or predicted to improve practice is a
research problem.
The major difference between experimental and nonexperimental designs is the role of the
researchers
The ____________ section of a research article outlines the methods used to analyze the data and notes the findings
results
Federal regulations mandate the establishment of institutional review boards whose purpose is to
review and approve research studies
In which situation does the use of key words provide better results than a controlled vocabulary search
searching full text or citation records
Which of the following statements about clarifying and refining a research problem is true?
several alternative problems should be evaluated before one is selected for study
