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1. The measures used by a nurse researcher to maintain uniformity of conditions in a quantitative research study refer to which aspect of the study?
a. Accuracy
b. Methods
c. Control
d. Validity
ANS: C
Feedback
A Accuracy refers to all aspects of a study systematically and logically following from the research question.
B Methods refers to sections of the research study that include sampling, data collection, and data analysis.
C Control is the term used for measures taken by the researcher to keep the conditions of a study uniform.
D Validity refers to the truthfulness or soundness of a study.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: Page 165
2. What is the overall purpose of the research design in a quantitative research study?
a. To determine sample size
b. To identify the problem statement
c. To assist the researcher in identifying gaps in the knowledge base
d. To provide the plan for answering the research question
ANS: D
Feedback
A Sample size is determined by the chosen design or by a power analysis.
B The problem statement describes the general focus of the research study.
C Gaps in knowledge should be identified and synthesized in the literature review.
D The purpose of the research design is to provide the plan for answering the research question(s).
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 165
3. In which of these ways does the nurse researcher’s literature review help select the appropriate study design?
a. By enlarging the scope of the study’s hypotheses
b. By objectively assessing available knowledge of the area
c. By comparing current findings with previous study findings
d. By ensuring faithfulness to the study’s purpose
ANS: B
Feedback
A The literature review gives the researcher clues about the direction and nature of the hypotheses but not necessarily their scope.
B Objectivity in the conceptualization of the research question is derived from a thorough review of the literature.
C The literature review does give information about past studies, but the research design is obtained by considering the best approach to answer the research question.
D The literature review does not ensure fidelity to study purpose; the research design serves this role.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 165-166
4. When reviewing a research report, the nurse determines that all aspects of a study systematically and logically follow from the research problem. Which condition has been met?
a. Accuracy
b. Feasibility
c. Internal validity
d. External validity
ANS: A
Feedback
A Accuracy indicates that all aspects of a study systematically and logically flow from the research question.
B Feasibility refers to a study’s pragmatic concerns (e.g., availability of subjects, time required).
C Internal validity refers to whether the independent variable made the change in the dependent variable.
D External validity refers to the generalizability of the investigation’s findings to additional populations and other environmental conditions.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 165-166
5. Which factor is most likely to be a mediating variable in a study to determine if high doses of vitamin C help reduce the subjects’ susceptibility to influenza?
a. The subjects’ use of influenza vaccine
b. The subject’ knowledge of vitamin C’s functions
c. The gender of the potential subjects
d. The marital status of the potential subjects
ANS: A
Feedback
A An extraneous or mediating variable is one that interferes with the operations of the variables being studied, such as the study’s outcome, which is susceptibility to influenza.
B A subject’s knowledge of vitamin C’s functions is not likely to act as a mediating variable in this study.
C The gender of participants is not likely to act as a mediating variable in this instance.
D The marital status of subjects is not likely to act as a mediating variable in this scenario.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
REF: Page 168
6. A nurse researcher is designing a quantitative research study involving a specific group of patients admitted to local hospitals. Which factor would negatively affect the feasibility of this study?
a. The local region has a high percentage of families that could participate in the study.
b. Potential study subjects represented less than 1% of hospital admissions during the year previous to the study.
c. Study participants who were hospitalized children younger than 5 years could not give direct informed consent to participate in the study.
d. A comprehensive review of the literature revealed no studies were conducted that examined this question during the past 15 years.
ANS: B
Feedback
A The wide availability of subjects could positively affect the feasibility of the study.
B Feasibility refers to the pragmatic considerations of a study (e.g., availability of subjects, cost).
C Informed consent for children would not affect availability of subjects.
D Lack of previous studies would suggest a need for the study but does not influence feasibility.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
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7. A nurse is designing a study to determine whether a videotape or a written pamphlet is more effective in teaching young women how to perform breast self-examination (BSE). Which of these actions would provide the best control for a mediating variable?
a. Include identical content in both BSE teaching methods
b. Exclude subjects who already perform BSE on a regular basis
c. Limit the study subjects to women who are heterosexual
d. Determine what breast cancer means to the individual participants
ANS: B
Feedback
A Identical content would help control the experimental variables by standardizing content, but it would not control mediating variables.
B Subjects who were already performing BSE would not be appropriate to include in the study.
C Sexual orientation does not affect a woman’s need to perform BSE; it is not a mediating variable.
D The meaning of breast cancer to participants would not control a mediating
variable in this situation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: Page 168
8. How would a nurse researcher ensure that the sample used in a quantitative study is homogeneous?
a. Use eligibility criteria to limit extraneous variables relevant to the study.
b. Randomly assign subjects to either the experimental or the control group.
c. Assign one research assistant to collect data from all subjects.
d. Collect data from all subjects at the same time of day.
ANS: A
Feedback
A Homogeneity of a sample is ensured by restricting eligibility criteria.
B Random assignment to experimental or control groups helps avoid bias but does not ensure homogeneity of the sample.
C Data collection by one researcher helps ensure consistency in data collection but does not ensure a homogenous sample.
D Uniform timing of data collection helps ensure consistency of data collection but does not ensure a homogeneous sample.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 168
9. How could a nurse researcher’s use of a homogeneous sample weaken a research study?
a. By decreasing the reliability of the findings
b. By decreasing the generalizability of the findings
c. By increasing the number of subjects needed to reach statistical significance
d. By increasing the risk that the findings were the result of chance alone
ANS: B
Feedback
A Homogeneity of a sample would not necessarily affect reliability.
B Homogeneity of a sample can decrease the generalizability of the findings to other populations.
C Homogeneity of a sample does not mandate a larger sample size.
D Homogeneity does not increase the likelihood of chance findings.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 168
10. Why should a nurse researcher want to limit or eliminate extraneous variables in a study?
a. More research questions would be required to account for the extraneous variables.
b. Extensive statistical analysis would be required to justify the presence of extraneous variables.
c. Extraneous variables compete with the independent variables as explanations of the study’s outcome.
d. Manipulation of the extraneous variables increases the risk for researcher bias in the study’s outcomes.
ANS: C
A Research questions are not necessarily linked to or controlling of extraneous variables.
B Statistical analysis cannot justify the presence of extraneous variables, although it may be able to estimate the magnitude of their effect.
C Extraneous or mediating variables interfere with analyzing the effect of the independent variables on the dependent variable.
D Manipulation of extraneous variables does not necessarily increase (or decrease) the risk for researcher bias.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 168
11. When should a nurse researcher include an extraneous variable as part of a study’s design?
a. When excluding the variable would limit the study’s generalizability
b. When the variable is an important consideration for the study’s outcome
c. When the researcher is limited by time or monetary constraints
d. When it would not make a difference in the overall study outcome
ANS: B
A Excluding extraneous variables frequently limits a study’s generalizability to a larger population. This is often necessary in order to have meaningful, unambiguous study outcomes.
B If the researcher believes that an extraneous variable is important to the outcome, it should be included in the design.
C Time and financial demands should not solely influence the inclusion of extraneous variables in a study’s design.
D Extraneous or mediating variables are a concern only if they may influence the outcome of a study. If a variable has no relationship to the study’s outcome, it would be superfluous to include it in the study design.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 168
12. A study is examining the effect of a new antilipemic drug, compared with placebo, on lipoprotein levels in postmenopausal women. Which of these actions represents the researcher’s attempt at constancy in data collection to control extraneous variables?
a. Drawing the serum lipoprotein levels of all subjects at the same time of day
b. Having the same phlebotomist draw serum lipoprotein levels of all subjects
c. Using the same room for drawing blood for lipoprotein levels of all subjects
d. Ensuring that all subjects are postmenopausal women taking lipid-lowering medication
ANS: A
Feedback
A Constancy in data collection (e.g., identical timing of collecting blood samples) helps maintain control in the research design because lipid levels may fluctuate throughout the day.
B In this scenario, it is not necessary for the same person drawing blood samples to
maintain constancy of measurement.
C The same room for blood draws is not necessary to maintain constancy of measurement.
D If subjects were already receiving antilipemic medication, it would be extremely difficult to distinguish the effects of the new treatment.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: Page 168
13. A nurse researcher assigns half a study sample to an experimental group and the other half to a control group. What does this action represent?
a. Instrumentation of the independent variable
b. Manipulation of the mediating variable
c. Elimination of the mediating variable
d. Manipulation of the independent variable
ANS: D
A Separating subjects into treatment and control groups does not represent instrumentation of the independent variable.
B A mediating or extraneous variable is usually controlled rather than manipulated.
C Separation of study subjects into treatment and control groups does not by itself eliminate mediating variables.
D Administration of a treatment or intervention to an experimental (treatment) group and not to a control group represents manipulation of the independent variable.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 170
14. For which of these reasons would a nurse researcher choose to assign subjects randomly to groups in a study?
a. To help ensure that all groups within a study are representative of the larger population
b. To increase the chance that the study groups will be different from each other with regard to extraneous variables
c. To help ensure that current events do not influence the outcomes of the study
d. To eliminate the need for establishing specific study criteria and subject eligibility
ANS: A
A The purpose of randomization is to help ensure that subjects in the study’s groups represent the larger population.
B Randomization helps to ensure that study groups will be approximately equal, not different with regard to extraneous variables.
C Randomization cannot control current historical events.
D Randomization does not eliminate the need for study criteria and subject eligibility factors.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 170
15. A nurse researcher assigns subjects to experimental and control groups in such a manner that each subject in a population has an equal chance of being selected. What is the researcher using?
a. Selection bias
b. Convenience sampling
c. Randomization
d. Internal validity
ANS: C Feedback
A Selection bias occurs when precautions are not used to gain a representative sample.
B Convenience sampling refers to the sampling method in which subjects who are available are used. These subjects do not necessarily represent the population.
C Randomization is the process of obtaining subjects so that each has an equal chance of being selected for experimental or control groups.
D Internal validity refers to confidence that the independent variable made the difference in the dependent variable, not some extraneous, intervening variable.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 170
16. The issue of control would be less important in a quantitative study with which type of research design?
a. Exploratory
b. Experimental
c. Correlational
d. Randomized clinical trial
ANS: A
Feedback
A Control is less important in exploratory studies because the researcher is investigating an area in which little literature exists.
B Control is critical to optimal experimental design.
C Control is important to correlational studies because relationships between variables are being studied.
D Control is essential to randomized clinical trials because their outcomes have direct implications for patient treatments.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 171
17. Which situation represents a threat to internal validity in an experimental study measuring the effect of a videotape of discharge instructions for patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery?
a. Both men and women undergoing CABG surgery were included as subjects in the study.
b. Two new surgeons began performing CABG surgery during the study period.
c. Patients in the experimental group discussed aspects of the videotape with patients
in the control group.
d. Data collection for the videotape and control groups took 1 year.
ANS: C
Feedback
A Including both genders would strengthen the design and would not threaten internal validity.
B Personnel factors like surgeons’ newly performing the procedure should not directly affect the treatment and threaten internal validity.
C Sharing aspects of the videotape with control group members interferes with interpretation of the true effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable(s).
D Duration of data collection does not threaten internal validity, provided the control processes were standardized.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
REF: Page 171-172
18. The nurse researcher designed a study examining anxiety among elementary school children. If a widely publicized murder of a child occurred in the city during the time frame of the study, what type of threat to internal validity would the murder represent?
a. Maturation
b. Instrumentation
c. Selection bias
d. Historical
ANS: D
Feedback
A Maturation represents developmental, biological, or psychological processes within individuals occurring or changing as a function of time.
B Instrumentation threats refer to changes in the measurement of variables or observational techniques that may change obtained measurement.
C Selection bias occurs when precautions are not used to obtain a representative sample.
D The murder would represent a historical event threatening internal validity.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
REF: Page 171-172
19. A nurse researcher should consider mortality a threat to the study’s internal validity for which of these reasons?
a. There is concern that the intervention may have harmful effects on subjects.
b. Those who dropped out of the study may be different than those who remained in the study.
c. Those who participated in the study may have died as a result of being in the study.
d. There is concern that the design is inappropriate for the study question if a large number of participants drop out of a study.
ANS: B
A Mortality does not refer to harmful aspects of an intervention but to attrition of subjects in a study.
B Subjects who drop out or who are otherwise lost from a study may differ in some important way from remaining subjects and therefore threaten internal validity.
C Mortality does not refer to treatment-related negative consequences in a study.
D Loss of a large number of subjects does not necessarily make a design inappropriate for the study question.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 171-172
20. A nurse researcher can control for selection bias in a study by taking which of these actions?
a. Allow subjects to self-select into an experimental or a control group
b. Handpick the subjects for group assignment
c. Use defined selection criteria for approaching potential subjects
d. Have someone other than the researcher select the subjects for the study
ANS: C
Feedback
A Self-selection could worsen selection bias, rather than control it.
B Researcher bias in selection subjects could worsen selection bias.
C Selection criteria (inclusive and exclusive) that are consistently applied help obtain a representative sample and decrease the risk of selection bias.
D The researcher can select subjects, providing subjects meet specified selection criteria.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 174
21. External validity refers to which of these issues?
a. The relationship existing between the independent variable and the study outcomes
b. The influence of a specific event on the independent variable
c. The degree to which extraneous or mediating variables interfere with the study outcomes
d. The degree to which findings are generalizable to populations beyond those studied
ANS: D
Feedback
A Internal validity refers to the relationship between the independent variable and the study outcomes.
B Influence of a specific event (historical threat) on the study affects the dependent variable or outcome of the study. Thus it threatens internal validity and, ultimately, external validity.
C Extraneous or mediating variables are threats to internal validity because they may interfere with the treatment (independent variable) effects.
D External validity deals with possible problems of generalizability of the investigation’s findings to other populations or environments.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 171-172
22. Which of these situations describes a reactive (Hawthorne) effect?
a. Control subjects in an intervention study to reduce anxiety also experience a reduction in anxiety.
b. The subjects in an intervention support group continue the support group after the study has ended.
c. Subjects become concerned after learning that they received a placebo, not the treatment, during the study.
d. Study subjects want to know the outcomes of the study after it is completed.
ANS: A
A Reactivity occurs when control subjects respond to the investigator not because of the treatment but because of the fact they were being studied.
B Continuing a treatment after a study is over is not necessarily related to reactive effects.
C After a treatment is finished and the study is over, concern about the use of a placebo would not be a reactive effect.
D The desire to know about study outcomes after the study is finished is not a reactive effect.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
REF: Page 176
23. A nurse researcher is investigating the effect of type of operating room mattress and surgical position on tissue interface pressures in healthy young adults. Which component of research is most affected by the choice of subjects?
a. Mortality
b. Instrumentation
c. Internal validity
d. External validity
ANS: D
Feedback
A Attrition of subjects (mortality) would not be affected by the choice of subjects.
B Instrumentation to measure interface pressures would not be affected by the choice of subjects.
C Internal validity would not be affected by the choice of subjects.
D Subject selection affects external validity (generalizability), especially because most surgical patients are not healthy young adults.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
REF: Page 174
24. What action by a nurse researcher will help eliminate bias on the dependent variable?
a. Establishing strict eligibility criteria for the study participants
b. Ensuring that all data are collected by a single researcher
c. Formulating at least two hypotheses for each research question
d. Developing a strong theoretical framework for the study
ANS: A
Feedback
A Strict eligibility criteria help reduce extraneous or mediating variables that compete with the study (independent) variables for impact on the dependent variable.
B Collection of data by a single researcher would provide constancy in data collection but would not control bias if poor sampling techniques were used.
C Formulating two hypotheses would not eliminate bias.
D Testing of a theoretical framework does not by itself control bias.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 168
1. A nurse researcher is planning to write a proposal for a research study using a quantitative design. To maintain control in the study, the nurse should include which elements? (Select all that apply.)
a. Valid, reliable collection methods
b. Subjects of all ages
c. Trained data collectors
d. Standardized data collection processes
e. Analysis of data by words or text only
ANS: A, C, D
Feedback
Correct Control requires valid, reliable instruments. Trained research assistants help maintain standardized procedures and promote control.
Data collection processes that are standardized promote control.
Incorrect Subjects of all ages are not required for control. Analysis of data by words or text is characteristic of qualitative designs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 165
2. A nursing student is reviewing a research study in which researchers used a pretest/posttest design to examine the effect of an AIDS education intervention on teenagers’ knowledge about the condition over a school year. What threats to internal validity could be present? (Select all that apply.)
a. Maturation
b. Selection effects
c. Reactivity
d. Hawthorne effect
e. Testing
ANS: A, E
Feedback
Correct Maturation could be an issue because the students may learn about AIDS from other sources over the school year.
Testing is a threat to internal validity because use of a pretest may affect subjects’ subsequent responses to a posttest.
Incorrect Selection effects affect external validity or generalizability of findings. Reactivity, or the subjects’ responses to being studied, affects external validity.
The Hawthorne effect is another name for reactivity.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
REF: Page 171-172
3. What should the nurse researcher consider when determining the feasibility of a research question? (Select all that apply.)
a. Time
b. Selection effects
c. Reactive effects
d. Measurement effects
e. Subject availability
f. Cost
ANS: A, E, F Feedback
Correct The research question must be one that can be studied within a realistic time period.
The researcher must determine whether a sufficient number of eligible subjects will be available and willing to participate in the study. Before embarking on a study, the researcher should itemize the expenses and project the total cost of the project.
Incorrect Effects of selection occur when the researcher cannot attain the ideal sample population. This limits generalizability (external validity), not the feasibility of the study.
Reactivity is the subjects’ responses to being studied. It can be minimized by paying equal attention to the control group. It is not related to a study’s feasibility.
Measurement effects occur when a pretest affects the posttest results within a study. They are not related to a study’s feasibility.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
REF: Page 166
4. Which factors would be considered threats to internal validity? (Select all that apply.)
a. Time
b. Selection effects
c. History
d. Testing
e. Subject availability
f. Cost
g. Selection bias
ANS: C, D, G
Correct History refers to events occurring outside the study setting that can affect the dependent variable.
Testing can affect the dependent variable because the effect of taking a pretest may affect the subjects’ posttest performance (the dependent variable).
Selection bias occurs if precautions are not taken to obtain a representative sample. Randomly assigning subjects to groups helps to minimize selection bias.
Incorrect Time is a pragmatic consideration when determining the feasibility of a research question.
Selection effects occur when the researcher cannot attain the ideal sample population. This limits generalizability (external validity).
Subject availability is a pragmatic consideration when determining the feasibility of a research question.
Cost is a pragmatic consideration when determining the feasibility of a research question.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 171-172