EBP Exam #2

A researcher plans to utilize a systematic random sampling method from a population of 5000 eligible subjects, using a sample of 200 subjects. Beginning at a randomly selected point on the list of subjects, what is the gap between elements? a. 25 b. 50 c. 100 d. 200

a. 25

While critically appraising a quantitative research study, what will the reviewer assess when critiquing the title of the study? Select all that apply. a. Clarity of the title's focus b. All study variables and population c. Type of study conducted such as phenomenology and the variables d. Type of study conducted such as descriptive and the variables e. Key study variables and population

a. Clarity of the title's focus d. Type of study conducted such as descriptive and the variables e. Key study variables and population

When conducting a study in which it is not possible to determine the true number of subjects who meet eligibility criteria and obtaining a random sample would be time consuming and expensive, the researcher will use which sampling method? a. Cluster sampling b. Simple random sampling c. Stratified random sampling d. Systematic sampling

a. Cluster sampling

When appraising the introduction section of a research study, what will the reviewer look for? a. Completeness and quality of the study abstract b. Evaluation of a comprehensive review of the literature c. Significance of the research problem to practice d. Study purpose and design

a. Completeness and quality of the study abstract

A reviewer conducts a critical appraisal of a study and notes that the study abstract does not include key results. The reviewer will discuss this omission in which part of the appraisal? a. Introduction b. Literature review c. Problem d. Purpose

a. Introduction

Which setting is the most highly controlled setting? a. A nursing home unit b. A research sleep lab c. A school-based clinic d. An intensive care unit

b. A research sleep lab

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.

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

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.

c. synthesis

During the data collection phase of a qualitative study, the researcher notes previously untheorized links among concepts. The researcher will continue to collect data until a. a quota of each subject type is achieved. b. saturation of information is noted. c. the desired sample size is attained. d. verification of information occurs.

d. verification of information occurs.

Which is a type of probability sampling? a. Cluster b. Convenience c. Network d. Quota

a. cluster

What will the reviewer do during the evaluation portion of a critical appraisal of a research study? a. Assess whether the measurement tools are consistent with the phenomena of interest. b. Determine whether the study findings are meaningful and should be implemented in practice. c. Discuss the statistical analysis of the study's findings including demographic and experimental data. d. Review the components ofUtheSstudNy to gain an overall understanding of the study report.

Determine whether the study findings are meaningful and should be implemented in practice.

The benefit to using a sample that utilizes narrow sampling criteria is that there is increased a. control of extraneous variables. b. generalizability. c. heterogenicity. d. range of values and scores.

a. control of extraneous variables.

A reviewer is critically appraising a study's variables. What ill the researcher evaluate? a. Conceptual and operational definitions of variables b. Relationships of demographic variables to key concepts in the study framework c. Whether variables and key concepts are linked d. Use of all types of variables, including independent, dependent, and research variables

a. Conceptual and operational definitions of variables

What standard may be applied to determine the strengths and weaknesses in a qualitative research study? a. Consistency of study methods with guidelines of expert researchers b. Determination of the generalizability of the study findings c. Reliability of scales of measurement used in data collection d. Validity of statistical analyses used in data analysis

a. Consistency of study methods with guidelines of expert researchers

A nurse conducts a study to examine the effects of a new intervention on FEV1 levels in patients with COPD and uses all patients admitted to a hospital during a 2-month period. This is an example of which type of sampling method? a. Convenience b. Network c. Quota d. Random

a. Convenience

All nurses need to have expertise in which skill regarding research? a. Critical appraisal b. Interviewing techniques c. Literature review d. Statistical analysis

a. Critical appraisal

Which statements would the nurse researcher recognize as being true when critically appraising a framework? Select all that apply. a. Critical appraising a framework requires the identification and evaluation of the concepts, their definitions, and the statements linking the concepts. b. Study findings should not be linked back to the research framework. c. Researchers usually link the findings back to the framework and other literature in the results section of the research report. d. Researchers must judge the adequacy of the linkages of concepts to variables, measurement of research or dependent variables, and implementation of independent variables. e. The discussion section is where the critical appraisal guidelines are applied to frameworks that were derived from a grand nursing theory.

a. Critical appraising a framework requires the identification and evaluation of the concepts, their definitions, and the statements linking the concepts. d. Researchers must judge the adequacy of the linkages of concepts to variables, measurement of research or dependent variables, and implementation of independent variables. e. The discussion section is where the critical appraisal guidelines are applied to frameworks that were derived from a grand nursing theory.

While critically appraising a study, a reviewer notes that the study includes an intervention. What will the reviewer assess? a. If the intervention is consistently implemented using a clearly described protocol b. How the intervention is administered to each subject in the study sample c. If the intervention is consistently administered to both experimental and control subjects d. Whether the intervention has been used in prior studies

a. If the intervention is consistently implemented using a clearly described protocol

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.

a. concept

In a study about childhood obesity, the researcher discusses the concept of overweight in terms of weight for height measures, body mass index (BMI), body image, self-esteem, and social norms. When discussing body image, self-esteem, and social norms, the researcher is describing the a. conceptual definition. b. dependent variable. c. independent variable. d. operational definition.

a. conceptual definition.

In a critical appraisal, a reviewer conducts an audit of the transcripts of interviews and determines that the author's conclusions are correct. This is an example of a. confirmability. b. credibility. c. dependability. d. trustworthiness

a. confirmability.

Which of the following are true statements about representativeness of a sample in quantitative research? Select all that apply. a. In quantitative research, you need to evaluate representativeness in terms of the setting, characteristics of the subjects, and distribution of values on variables measured. b. Representativeness means that the sample, accessible population, and target population are different in as many ways as possible. c. The setting identified in a study does not influence the representativeness of the sample. d. Researchers who gather data from subjects across a variety of settings have a more representative sample of the target population than those limiting the study to a single setting. e. Studies that obtain data from large databases have less representative samples. f. A sample must be representative in terms of characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, income, and education, which often influence study variables.

a. In quantitative research, you need to evaluate representativeness in terms of the setting, characteristics of the subjects, and distribution of values on variables measured. d. Researchers who gather data from subjects across a variety of settings have a more representative sample of the target population than those limiting the study to a single setting. f. A sample must be representative in terms of characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, income, and education, which often influence study variables.

Which of the following is true about convenience sampling? a. It tends to be less expensive and easier to conduct. b. It requires fewer subjects to achieve a representative sample. c. It is used more often in quantitative research. d. It allows the researcher greater control over extraneous variables.

a. It tends to be less expensive and easier to conduct.

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

a. Periodical

Which group of nurses need expertise in the critical appraisal of research? Select all that apply. a. Practicing nurses b. Student nurses c. Retired nurses d. Nurse educators e. Inactive nurses

a. Practicing nurses b. Student nurses d. Nurse educators

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

a. The framework

Which of the following are true statements about middle range theories? Select all that apply. a. They may emerge from a grounded theory study. b. They are more abstract and wider in scope than grand nursing theories. c. Practice theories are a type of middle range theories that are more specific. d. Nurses providing patient care and nurse researchers find them less helpful. e. They are sometimes called substantive theories.

a. They may emerge from a grounded theory study. c. Practice theories are a type of middle range theories that are more specific. e. They are sometimes called substantive theories.

Which of the following are accurate statements about the research setting when conducting research? Select all that apply. a. Three common settings for conducting nursing studies are natural, partially controlled, and highly controlled. b. All studies are strengthened by having more than one setting, making the sample more representative of the accessible population. c. The selection of a setting in quantitative and qualitative research is based on the purpose of the study, accessibility of the setting or sites, and number and types of participants available in the setting. d. Laboratories are considered a highly controlled setting in which experimental studies often are conducted. e. Conducting a study in a natural setting means that the researcher manipulates or changes the environment for the study.

a. Three common settings for conducting nursing studies are natural, partially controlled, and highly controlled. c. The selection of a setting in quantitative and qualitative research is based on the purpose of the study, accessibility of the setting or sites, and number and types of participants available in the setting. d. Laboratories are considered a highly controlled setting in which experimental studies often are conducted.

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

a. To explain, extend, and support the framework used for the study

During an initial review of a study, the reviewer will expect the methods section of the research report to include a. a description of the study design and sampling methods. b. the limitations and generalizations of the study. c. tables and figures representing study results. the framework and definitions of study variables.

a. a description of the study design and sampling methods.

A researcher wishes to study the effects of a nursing intervention on children with cancer and obtains a sample of school-age children hospitalized for cancer treatment in a local hospital. This sample represents the a. accessible population. b. general population. c. target population. d. theoretical population.

a. accessible population

The goal of appropriate sampling in research is to a. accurately reflect the characteristics of the target population. b. completely define the traits of the accessible population. c. identify all attributes of the sample population. d, study an entire population.

a. accurately reflect the characteristics of the target population.

A researcher conducting a qualitative study knows that saturation of information has occurred when a. additional sampling reveals redundant information. b. data collected confirms theoretical models. c. subjects participating are representative of the general population. d. the desired sample size has been reached.

a. additional sampling reveals redundant information.

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.

a. are groundbreaking or landmark studies.

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.

a. assumption

A reviewer critically appraising a study about self-care behaviors of adolescents who have cystic fibrosis evaluates comparisons of this sample to those from studies of young adults with cystic fibrosis. This appraiser is evaluating the a. credibility and meaning of the study. b. framework and key concepts of the study. c. limitations of the study. d. reliability and validity of the study.

a. credibility and meaning of the study.

A pilot study reveals a wide variation in measurement values among subjects with an overall mean value that is higher than among the general population. By increasing the sample size in a subsequent study, the researcher expects to a. decrease the variation of scores among subjects. b. increase the variation of scores among subjects. c. decrease the mean value of scores among subjects. d. increase the mean value of scores among subjects.

a. decrease the variation of scores among subjects.

When assessing the conclusions, findings, and implications of a study, the appraiser will a. determine whether alternate hypotheses are possible. b. ensure that results are not based on past research. c. identify that findings are specific to the sample population. d. refute the study if limitations are identified.

a. determine whether alternate hypotheses are possible.

When critically appraising the dependability of qualitative research, the reviewer evaluates a. documentation of decisions made during analysis of the findings. b. if interrater reliability has been determined. c. whether measurement tools have internal validity. whether statistical analysis has been performed

a. documentation of decisions made during analysis of the findings.

The level of theory derived from the analysis of data is a. grounded theory. b. grand theory. c. mid-range theory. d. practice theory.

a. grounded theory

When critically appraising a research study, the reviewer will expect to find a. identification of new research problems. b. implementation of a perfect research design. c. precise understanding of the real world. d. tools to control outcomes in nursing practice

a. identification of new research problems.

When critically appraising a research study, the reviewer will expect to find a. identification of new research problems. b. implementation of a perfect research design. c. precise understanding of the real world. tools to control outcomes in nursing practice.

a. identification of new research problems.

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.

a. paraphrases other authors' ideas

In a qualitative study, a sample may be too small if a. the depth of information is low. b. the effect size is too large. c. the saturation of information is high. d. the scope of the study is narrow.

a. the depth of information is low.

A reviewer conducting a critical appraisal of a research study compares and contrasts study methods with those that are ideal, representing which step of the research process? a. Analysis b. Comparison c. Comprehension d. Evaluation

b. Comparison

Which of these sampling techniques is least likely to produce findings that are generalizable to a larger population? a. Cluster b. Convenience c. Quota d. Systematic

b. Convenience

When establishing that a researcher has produced a result consistent with the views of the participants interviewed for a study, the critical appraiser has determined which strength of a qualitative study? a. Confirmability b. Credibility c. Dependability d. Trustworthiness

b. Credibility

A nurse researcher explains the importance of critically appraising research to a group of graduate-level nursing students. Which statement by a nursing student indicates the need for further teaching? a. Research is critically appraised to broaden understanding for conducting a study. b. Critical appraisal is an examination of the quantity of a study to determine the credibility and meaning of the findings for nursing. c. Research is critically appraised to improve practice and provide a background for conducting a study. d. Critical appraisal or critique is associated with critical thinking and evaluation.

b. Critical appraisal is an examination of the quantity of a study to determine the credibility and meaning of the findings for nursing.

Which of the following are accurate statements about critical appraisal of research following presentation and publication? Select all that apply. a. Nurses who attend research conferences note that critical appraisals and questions often precede presentations of studies. b. Critical appraisals assist researchers in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of their studies and generating ideas for further research. c. Participants listening to critiques of studies always gain insight into the conduct of research. d. Experiencing the critique process can increase the conference participant's ability to evaluate studies. e. Published research critiques often decrease the reader s understanding of the stud and the quality of the study findings.

b. Critical appraisals assist researchers in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of their studies and generating ideas for further research. d. Experiencing the critique process can increase the conference participant's ability to evaluate studies.

Which type of research study tends to require a larger sample size than the others? a. Case study b. Descriptive study c. Experimental study d. Quasi-experimental study

b. Descriptive study

What will the reviewer do during the evaluation portion of a critical appraisal of a research study? a. Assess whether the measurement tools are consistent with the phenomena of interest. b. Determine whether the study findings are meaningful and should be implemented in practice. c. Discuss the statistical anal sis of the stud s findings including demographic and experimental data. Review the components of the study to gain an overall understanding of the study report.

b. Determine whether the study findings are meaningful and should be implemented in practice.

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

b. EndNotes or Ref Works

What key principle for critically appraising research studies involves the report being complete, concise, clearly presented, and logically organized? a. Be objective and realistic in identifying the stud s strengths and weaknesses. b. Examine the organization and presentation of the research report. c. Provide a rationale for your critical appraisal comments. d. Evaluate the quality of the study.

b. Examine the organization and presentation of the research report.

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

b. Examining the quality and content of the resources to determine the credibility and validity of each

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.

b. It explains a portion of a theory.

Which of the following is true about sample size in a qualitative study? a. It is determined by the sensitivity of the measurement tools. b. It is considered adequate when the researcher detects no new knowledge. c. It is influenced by the expected effect size and the probability of a type II error. d. It is determined by the number of variables and data analysis techniques.

b. It is considered adequate when the researcher detects no new knowledge.

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.

b. It is not treated differently than a print version of the article.

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.

b. Narration of an author's impression of a given situation

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.

b. Note the number of data-based and theoretical sources cited in the reference list.

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

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

Which nursing theorist developed a grand nursing theory? a. Brennaman b. Orem c. Pender d. Swanson

b. Orem

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

b. Phenomenological

In a study investigating type 2 diabetic patients' ability to make lifestyle changes, the researcher randomly selects a sample from a list of all patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the United States. The researcher also selects the sample by randomly selecting patients diagnosed for 3 years or longer and those who are newly diagnosed. What sampling technique is used in this study? a. Cluster b. Quota c. Stratified random d. Systematic

b. Stratified random

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.

c. 5 years

What is the goal of an intellectual critical appraisal of a research study? a. To determine whether a study should be replicated b. To identify strengths and weaknesses in a study c. To determine whether a study should be implemented into practice d. To weed out and discard studies that are flawed

b. To identify strengths and weaknesses in a study

Which of the following are true statements about critical appraisal of research proposals? Select all that apply. a. Conducted to improve student research projects b. To permit data collection in an institution c. To select the best studies for funding by local organizations only d. Reviewed for funding from selected government agencies, corporations, and foundations e. Government agencies develop their own format for reviewing and funding research projects.

b. To permit data collection in an institution d. Reviewed for funding from selected government agencies, corporations, and foundations

A researcher begins a study with 250 subjects, and 50 subjects drop out before the study is concluded. The researcher will declare 20% as the sample a. acceptance rate. b. attrition rate. c. refusal rate. d. retention rate.

b. attrition rate

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.

b. clarify the purpose of the review.

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 demand of self-care. In this example, anxiety and coping are a. assumptions. b. concepts. c. philosophies. d. theories.

b. concepts

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

b. concepts

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.

b. construct.

A nurse researcher discusses a theory about the stigma of chronic illness in children and describes aspects of chronic illness including aesthetic qualities, causes of the condition, and concealability of the disease as dimensions of this stigma. In this case, aesthetic qualities, causes of the condition, and concealabilit of the disease are a. concepts. b. constructs. c. theories. d. variables

b. constructs

The goal of sampling theory is to a. clearly define sample types used in research studies. b. determine the best way to achieve representative samples. c. develop methods for collecting data more efficiently. d. provide frameworks for data analysis.

b. determine the best way to achieve representative samples.

An intellectual critical appraisal differs from other kinds of critiques because it a. focuses solely on the strengths of the study. b. evaluates the quality and meaning of empirical evidence. c. judges the researcher s ability and credentials. d. regards both the work itself as well as the study author.

b. evaluates the quality and meaning of empirical evidence.

In a study of patients who have dementia, a researcher wishes to examine the effects of moderate exercise on patients' abilities to perform self-care. The researcher decides to use subjects between 70 and 80 years of age who have been diagnosed with dementia for less than 1 year. A patient who is 65 years old meets a. eligibility criteria. b. exclusion criteria. c. inclusion criteria. d. sampling criteria.

b. exclusion criteria

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.

b. highlight the main points of the studies.

In qualitative research, the sampling plan is developed to a. decrease systematic bias. b. increase the representativeness of the findings related to the phenomena. c. minimize the need for discussion of cultural elements of the study. d. reduce sampling error.

b. increase the representativeness of the findings related to the phenomena.

During a study about nurses' ability to teach lifestyle changes in patients with coronary artery disease, the researcher discovers that many nurses have negative attitudes about obesity. The researcher develops a survey to examine these attitudes. This is an example of a. grounded theory research. b. intraproject sampling. c. saturation of information. d. verification of information.

b. intraproject sampling.

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.

b. obtain full-text copies of each of these articles.

A researcher conducts a survey of patients seen in an inner-city ambulatory clinic to determine barriers to receiving health care. The target population includes African-American, Hispanic, and Somali immigrant patients, as well as a variety of foreign-born students from a nearby university. The researcher chooses subjects from the African-American, Hispanic, and Somali immigrant populations to participate. This is which type of sampling? a. Network b. Purposive c. Quota d. Theoretical

b. purposive

A researcher who wishes to study the effects of a prenatal breastfeeding education program on the length of time African-American inner-city women breastfeed infants learns that 70% of women in the target population are unmarried. To achieve stratified random sampling in a sample of 50 subjects, the researcher will a. conduct the study using unmarried subjects only. b. randomly assign all subjects to control versus experimental groups. c. select a random sample of 35 unmarried and 15 married subjects. d. select 25 subjects who are married and 25 who are not married.

b. select a random sample of 35 unmarried and 15 married subjects.

A researcher enters a list of subjects from a sampling frame into a computer and the computer randomly assigns subjects to control or treatment groups. This is an example of a. cluster sampling. b. simple random sampling. c. stratified random sampling. d. systematic sampling

b. simple random sampling.

In the following APA-formatted reference, what is indicated by the italicized words? Maxwell, S. E., & Delaney, H. D. (2004). Designing experiments and analyzing data: A model comparison perspective (2nd ed.). Mahway, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. a. Abstract information b. Journal title c. Book title d. Publishing company

c. Book Title

How do practicing nurses participate in critical appraisal of research? a. By adhering to evidence-based practice guidelines and best practices b. By presenting findings from their own outcomes research c. By questioning the quality, credibility, and meaning of studies d. By reading research journals to keep current in knowledge and practice

c. By questioning the quality, credibility, and meaning of studies

How do practicing nurses participate in critical appraisal of research? a. By adhering to evidence-based practice guidelines and best practices b. By presenting findings from their own outcomes research c. By questioning the quality, credibility, and meaning of studies d. By reading research journals to keep current in knowledge and practice

c. By questioning the quality, credibility, and meaning of studies

Which of the following are true statements about the purpose of conducting critical appraisals of studies in nursing? Select all that apply. a. Critical appraisals are seldom conducted for a class project. b. Critical appraisals are often conducted before verbal presentations of studies. c. Critical appraisals are often conducted after a published research report. d. Critical appraisals are seldom conducted for article selection for publication. e. Critical appraisals are often conducted for selection of abstracts when studies are presented at conferences

c. Critical appraisals are often conducted after a published research report. e. Critical appraisals are often conducted for selection of abstracts when studies are presented at conferences

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

c. Encyclopedia

In the introduction to a study, the researcher explains why self-esteem is expected to affect obesity. The explanation of this relationship represents which aspect of the study? a. Concept b. Construct c. Framework d. Theory

c. Framework

A researcher wishes to identify all school-age children who have type 2 diabetes mellitus in a local community to develop a sampling methodology for a study of this population. Which might serve as a barrier to obtaining this information? a. Affordable Care Act (ACA) b. Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) c. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) d. Institutional Review Board (IRB)

c. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

What are the three steps of critical appraisal of qualitative research? a. Assess the study design, evaluate sampling methods, and review study conclusions. b. Determine the study purpose, review study data, and evaluate implications for further research. c. Identify the components of the research process, determine strengths and weaknesses, and evaluate the trustworthiness of the study. d. Identify the steps in the research process, determine strengths and weaknesses, and evaluate the credibility and meaning of the findings.

c. Identify the components of the research process, determine strengths and weaknesses, and evaluate the trustworthiness of the study.

What is the focus of a critical appraisal of qualitative research studies? a. Completeness of the literature review b. Conceptual and operational definition of variables c. Integrity of study design and methods d. Validity of study measures

c. Integrity of study design and methods

Which is true about a conceptual definition in a research study? a. It defines how a concept can be manipulated in a study. b. It describes how a concept may be measured in a study. c. It is comprehensive and includes associative meanings. d. It is more specific than a dictionary definition.

c. It is comprehensive and includes associative meanings.

Which statement is true about systematic sampling? a. A nonrandom starting point is used when selecting subjects. b. It can be used when the desired sample size is unknown. c. It provides a random chance for inclusion as a subject. d. Subjects have an equal chance for inclusion in the study.

c. It provides a random chance for inclusion as a subject.

In the following APA-formatted reference, what is indicated by the italicized words/numbers? Keh, A. R., Ebigh, P. R., & Dacke, C. B. (2016). nursing. Nursing Outlook, 64(6), 566574. a. Article title/volume number b. Journal title/issue number c. Journal title/volume number d. Book title/issue number

c. Journal title/volume number

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.

c. Locate any seminal or landmark studies on the topic of research.

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

c. MEDLINE

Which nursing theorist developed a middle range theory for nursing? a. Orem b. King c. Mishel d. Rogers

c. Mishel

A researcher will conduct a qualitative study about partners of patients diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases. This researcher will use which sampling technique to achieve the best representation of this population? a. Accidental sampling b. Cluster sampling c. Network sampling d. Simple random sampling

c. Network sampling

A nurse researcher compares the outcomes of administration of a bronchodilator either via nebulizer or by metered-dose inhaler and collects data on subjects in a pediatric inpatient hospital unit. This is an example of which type of setting? a. Controlled b. Field c. Natural d. Partially controlled

c. Partially controlled

Which is an important characteristic of a variable? a. It is broad and encompasses several ideas. b. It is constant from one instance to another. c. It is less specific than a concept. d. It is measurable and changeable.

d. It is measurable and changeable.

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.

c. Qualitative studies may be used to create theory.

In which type of study design would a reviewer expect to find a discussion of extraneous variables? a. Ethnographic b. Qualitative c. Quasi-experimental d. Phenomenological

c. Quasi-experimental

A researcher wishes to examine whether a teaching program for parents increases adherence to a drug regimen among children with seizure disorders. A convenience sample of children in a large teaching hospital is proposed. To prevent confounding of the results by socioeconomic status and type of health insurance, the researcher will utilize which additional sampling technique? a. Cluster b. Network c. Quota d. Theoretical

c. Quota

To decrease the probability of systematic variation in a study to evaluate the effects of a teaching program on disease management, the researcher will use which sampling process? a. Cluster sampling b. Convenience sampling c. Random sampling d. Systematic sampling

c. Random sampling

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

c. Replication

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.

c. Research frameworks come from grand nursing theories.

A researcher begins with a registry of all patients with HIV in the United States. The researcher uses a computer to generate a random sample from the list, and then those individuals agree to participate in a study. What kind of sample has been created? a. Cluster b. Convenience c. Simple random d. Stratified random

c. Simple random

How are study results utilized to develop evidence for practice? a. Only evidence and data from strong studies are used. b. Only quantitative studies are used to build evidence. c. Strong points from multiple studies are used to build evidence. d. Studies must be replicated successfully to be used for evidence.

c. Strong points from multiple studies are used to build evidence.

Which statement is true about effect size? a. There is one type of effect size measure used in research studies. b. The effect size is the extent to which the null or statistical hypothesis is true. c. The effect size is the extent to which the null or statistical hypothesis is false. d. When the effect size is small, detecting it is easier and can be done with a smaller sample.

c. The effect size is the extent to which the null or statistical hypothesis is false.

Which is true about the evaluation of study variables in a critical appraisal of a research study? a. It is not necessary to identify whether the measures are nominal, ordinal, ratio, or interval. b. The reviewer will be concerned only with the reliability of measures in the current study. c. The reviewer will identify the names and authors of the measurement strategies. d. The reviewer will make sure research variables are defined conceptually but not operationally.

c. The reviewer will identify the names and authors of the measurement strategies.

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.

c. concrete idea

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.

c. identify keywords for the search.

The goal of a critical appraisal should be to a. determine where faults exist in the study design. b. evaluate whether a proposed study is feasible. c. identify the meaning and credibility of the study d. review the credentials and expertise of the researcher.

c. identify the meaning and credibility of the study

The goal of a critical appraisal should be to a. determine where faults exist in the study design. b. evaluate whether a proposed study is feasible. c. identify the meaning and credibility of the study. d. review the credentials and expertise of the researcher.

c. identify the meaning and credibility of the study.

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.

c. implement evidence-based practice guidelines.

Prior to initiating a research study, a researcher conducts a power analysis to determine the sample size necessary for a power level of 0.8 and an alpha of 0.05. The researcher will a. apply a quota sampling technique to improve generalizability. b. decrease the sample size to minimize costs. c. increase the sample size to avoid a type II error. d. use stratified random sampling to minimize error.

c. increase the sample size to avoid a type II error.

A researcher tests a measurement tool in a pilot study and notes a wide variance in scores. To improve the significance of the study's findings in subsequent studies, the researcher will a. apply quota sampling techniques. b. decrease the sample size. c. increase the sample size. d. use cluster sampling techniques.

c. increase the sample size.

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.

c. make notes about which sources to site in each section.

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.

c. making value judgments about the credibility and validity of concepts.

Which will the researcher use to display the concepts and relationships in a theoretical framework? a. Construct b. Graph c. Model d. Theory

c. model

To decrease the time needed to achieve saturation in information in a qualitative study, the researcher will a. broaden the scope of the study. b. increase the number of theoretical concepts. c. keep definitions of concepts vague. d. narrow the study's scope.

c. narrow the study's scope.

Which type of setting is most commonly used in qualitative research? a. Controlled b. Multiple c. Natural d. Partially controlled

c. natural

The type of nonprobability design that is most likely to yield a representative sample is a. convenience sampling. b. accidental sampling. c. quota sampling. d. network sampling.

c. quota sampling.

A researcher discusses how endorphins released during aerobic exercise cause a heightened sense of well-being in subjects. This discussion is a a. conceptual definition. b. operational definition. c. relational statement. d. theoretical framework.

c. relational statement

When a researcher analyzes data obtained from study variables for possible significant relationships among these variables, the researcher is testing the a. abstract ideas. b. conceptual definitions. c. relationship statements. d. study assumptions.

c. relationship statements

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.

c. replication studies and meta-analyses.

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

c. research studies

A researcher wishes to conduct a survey of attitudes about illness among young adults with cystic fibrosis. The researcher contacts a nearby regional medical cystic fibrosis clinic, where 250 young adults who have cystic fibrosis are seen. A group of 50 young adults are selected to complete the survey. These 50 people are the a. accessible population. b. elements of the population. c. sample population. d. target population.

c. sample population

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.

c. some researchers feel that previous studies may bias data collection in qualitative studies.

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.

c. sponsorship of website information

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, "effects of self-care on disease prevention" is a: a. concept. b. construct. c. theory. d. variable.

c. theory.

A determination that findings in a qualitative study are applicable to other populations is an evaluation of a study's a. generalizability. b. reliability. c. transferability. d. validity

c. transferability.

Once a qualitative study has been evaluated for credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability, the study is considered to be a. generalizable. b. reliable. c. trustworthy. d. valid.

c. trustworthy.

During a critical appraisal of a research study, the reviewer determines that a study about blood glucose monitoring of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus has implications for patients with type 2 diabetes. The reviewer will determine this during which phase of the research critique? a. Analysis b. Comparison c. Comprehension d. Evaluation

d. Evaluation

A reviewer reads through a study from beginning to end, noting whether the title and abstract are clear, if relevant terms are defined, and if the introduction, methods, results, and discussion are plainly identified. This represents which part of a critical appraisal? a. Analysis of the study methods b. Comprehension of the study outcomes c. Evaluation of the literature review d. Identification of the steps of the research process

d. Identification of the steps of the research process

What are the steps used to evaluate quantitative research studies? a. Assess the study design, evaluate the sampling methods, and review the study conclusions. b. Determine the study purpose, review the study data, and evaluate the implications for further research. c. Evaluate the study methods, validate the measurement tools, and determine the quality of results. d. Identify the steps in the research process, determine the strengths and weaknesses, and evaluate the credibility and meaning of the findings.

d. Identify the steps in the research process, determine the strengths and weaknesses, and evaluate the credibility and meaning of the findings.

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.

d. It is an open, editable format.

Which statement is true about the hypothesis in a research study? a. It clearly identifies concepts. b. It is written at a higher level of abstraction than a general proposition. c. It is not testable. d. It makes a statement about specific relationships among variables.

d. It makes a statement about specific relationships among variables.

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.

d. Philosophies

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.

d. Secondary sources are used only if primary sources cannot be located.

What is not necessary for a reviewer to include in a critical appraisal when evaluating study sampling methods? a. Characteristics of the sample b. Eligibility criteria c. Sample attrition d. Study setting

d. Study setting

A reviewer critically appraises a study. Which aspect of the review indicates a weakness in the study? a. The conceptual definitions of variables are consistent with operational definitions. b. The literature review identifies what is known and not known about the problem. c. The researcher identifies and discusses threats to design validity. d. The statement of purpose provides a broad, general focus for the study.

d. The statement of purpose provides a broad, general focus for the study.

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.

d. They may contain misinterpreted information.

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

d. To identify studies published after a study is performed

What is important to assess when critically appraising a literature review? a. If previous studies support the research problem b. If textbooks are included in the reference list c. What sources are used to provide study funding d. Whether relevant studies are discussed

d. Whether relevant studies are discussed

What will the reviewer assess when critically appraising a study framework? a. How the variables and concepts are evaluated and measured b. What the research hypothesis is and how it was developed c. Whether the literature review is complete d. Whether the study variables link to key concepts

d. Whether the study variables link to key concepts

When reading a research article in a refereed journal, the nurse researcher is assured that the article a. describes a study undergoing review. b. has been previously published. c. is printed in abstract form only. d. is of high quality and standards.

d. is of high quality and standards.

A reviewer performs a critical appraisal of a study and notes that the researcher conducted a previous pilot study. The reviewer will a. discount any findings not congruent with the pilot study. b. ensure that the larger study and pilot study used identical data collection methods. c. ignore the findings of the pilot study because they are not relevant to this study. d. note whether the pilot study findings were used to design the current study.

d. note whether the pilot study findings were used to design the current study.

In a study about childhood obesity, the researcher discusses the concept of overweight in terms of weight for height measures, body mass index (BMI), body image, self-esteem, and social norms. The researcher states that a BMI less than the 95th percentile represents overweight. This statement is a(n) a. conceptual definition. b. dependent variable. c. independent variable. d. operational definition.

d. operational definition

The level of theory often derived from evidence-based guidelines is a. grand theory. b. grounded theory. c. mid-range theory. d. practice theory.

d. practice theory

1. A reviewer is asked to critically appraise a report to help determine whether funding will be allocated for a research study. This reviewer will be appraising a research a. abstract. b. article. c. literature review. d. proposal.

d. proposal.

A researcher uses a sample whose members have characteristics like those of the population from which it is drawn. This is an example of a a. cluster sample. b. purposive sample. c. random sample. d. representative sample.

d. representative sample.

A researcher conducts a pilot study using a convenience sample of children with seizure disorders. A reviewer of this study's manuscript may conclude that the findings of this study a. are generalizable to most children with seizures. b. have little credibility; they are extremely biased. c. provide no useful information. d. should be replicated using a wider population.

d. should be replicated using a wider population.

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.

d. study abstracts.

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.

d. synthesize and summarize findings from various studies.

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.

d. synthesizing

A researcher wishes to conduct a study to determine the effects of an intervention on high school students. In this study, high school students represent the a. accessible population. b. elements of the population. c. sample population. d. target population.

d. target population

A researcher wishes to evaluate the management of chemotherapy side effects in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Children with ALL in this study are an example of which of the following? a. Accessible population b. Element of the population c. Sample population d. Target population

d. target population

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.

d. the disciplines of the study authors and journals cited in the review.

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.

d. transitions to the ideas expressed in the following paragraph.

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.

d. trustworthy sources.

When using stratified random sampling, the researcher can a. achieve greater control over subject selection. b. avoid discussion of the effects of extraneous variables. c. lower the costs associated with sampling. d. use a smaller sample size.

d. use a smaller sample size.

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.

d. variable.

Which is a type of nonprobability sampling? a. Purposeful b. Simple random c. Stratified random d. Systematic

purposeful