Ch. 10 Exam 2 ?'s Flashcards
A researcher conducts a study to examine the effects of breastfeeding on infant weight at age 6 months. Which type of measurement is used to measure the infants’ weight?
direct
Which can be measured using direct measurement?
BP
Which is a true statement about measurement theory?
The purpose of measurement is to obtain trustworthy data that can be used to
address the study purpose and objectives, questions, or hypotheses.
A researcher conducts a study to identify the relationship of lifestyle choices to the development of chronic diseases. The researcher surveys subjects and identifies diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and renal disease in study subjects. These measures represent which level of measurement?
Nominal
Among subjects with coronary artery disease, a researcher identifies three levels of symptoms which can be categorized by severity. This represents which level of measurement?
ordinal
A researcher studying the effects of an intervention on symptoms measures the time from intervention to absence of symptoms and reports this in the number of days. This measure represents which level of measurement?
interval
A study measuring the effects of a new diuretic medication records hourly urine output of subjects. This measure represents which level of measurement?
ratio
The nurse researcher understands that the levels of measurement, from low to high, are
nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.
Which is an accurate statement about measurement error?
Some error is always present in any measurement strategy.
A researcher may use which strategy to reduce the potential for measurement error when evaluating obesity in study subjects?
Measure weight, abdominal girth, and BMI on all subjects.
A researcher reviews study data about head circumference in newborns and notes that study personnel are measuring from the end of the measuring tape and not from the zero point,
which is 1 cm from the end. This is an example of which type of measurement error?
systematic
A researcher wishes to study the effects of preoperative teaching on anxiety levels among toddlers and preschoolers undergoing surgery. To reduce the potential for measurement error, the researcher will
use a standardized checklist of anxiety behaviors.
A researcher performs a series of pilot studies to evaluate whether a measurement tool produces consistent results. This is an evaluation of
precision
A researcher studying children identifies the following age groups:
birth to age 12 months
12 months to 3 years
3 years to 5 years
5 years to 12 years
12 years to 18 years
These categories are not
exclusive
A researcher evaluates a measurement tool by administering the tool to a group of subjects every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. This is a measure of the tool’s
test-retest reliability.
A nursing professor administers three versions of a final examination to a class of students and compares the examinations for reliability. This is a measure of
equivalence
In a pilot study to help train a group of data collectors who will evaluate children’s pain using a FACES rating scale, the researcher examines the reliability of the scores of each data collector. This is an example of which type of reliability measure?
interrater reliability
A researcher notes a reliability score of 0.75 between two observers in a clinical drug trial evaluating whether the drug decreases anxiety. This score means that
there is 75% random error
A researcher evaluates scores of a paper and pencil instrument with dichotomous variables using the Kuder-Richardson formula. This is a test of
internal consistency reliability
Which statement is true about validity?
Validity evaluates an instrument for a specific group or purpose.
A researcher evaluates whether a tool addresses the major elements of the construct being studied. This helps to ensure
content validity
The type of validity that focuses on the extent to which an individual’s score on an instrument or scale can be used to estimate his or her present or concurrent performance on another variable or criterion is known as
concurrent validity.
A researcher tests a measurement tool’s validity by administering it to a group of subjects who don’t have health insurance and a group who have health insurance to examine attitudes about access to health care. The researcher is looking for evidence of validity from
contrasting groups
A researcher develops a new instrument to measure coping skills and conducts a pilot study to compare the new tool with an existing tool that measures this concept. This is an example of evidence of validity from
convergence
A researcher administers two instruments known to measure opposite concepts and performs correlational analyses on the results. The original measure has a negative correlation of –0.6 with the new measure. This indicates
both measures are valid
A researcher administers a scale measuring self-confidence and one measuring self-doubt to a group of subjects and performs a correlational analysis of the results. This is a test of validity
from
divergence
A researcher evaluating the weight of subjects who are obese ensures that the scales used are maintained and calibrated according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. This is to ensure
precision
When documenting reports that previous research has demonstrated the accuracy of a physiological measure, the researcher is addressing the measure’s
validity
In a study evaluating pulse oximetry measures in infants, a researcher notes that the pulse
oximeter probes are attached to infants’ feet in different ways. This represents which type of measurement error?
user
Which possible outcome of a screening test for a disease indicates accurately that a disease is not present?
true negative
In a study measuring oxygen saturation levels in infants, the researcher notes that data collectors record low saturation levels that occur when the heart rate is erratic and the infants are irritable and actively moving around. This will likely result in which type of measurement error?
interpretation
An instrument that detects the presence of streptococcal antibodies is negative. Before reporting the absence of disease, the researcher must determine whether this result might be a
false negative
Which is true about a test that is highly sensitive for detecting a disease?
There is a low probability of having a false negative result.
Which is true about a test that is highly specific?
It is good at identifying patients who do not have a disease.
A researcher reports that a measure is highly sensitive when diagnosing patients. The reviewer understands that this test
has a low percentage of false negatives
A screening test has a specificity of 92%. This means that there is a(n)
8% chance of a false positive
Which is important when using observational measurement to produce reliable data?
Researchers will develop checklists of notable behaviors for observers to use.
A researcher uses a checklist of questions to ask participants while collecting data for a study. This represents which type of data collection?
structured interview
Which statement is true about using a questionnaire to collect data?
Questions are presented consistently with less chance for bias than with an interview.
A researcher wishes to evaluate the reliability of a visual analog pain scale in a group of postoperative patients. The best way to do this is to compare results
to results of the test when given to another set of subjects.
Which generally is an advantage of using primary data in a research study?
Demographic information about a population
Which data represent the lowest form of measurement?
Race and ethnicity classification
Which type of scale is most commonly used in a survey of patient satisfaction?
Likert scale
Which generally is an advantage of using primary data in a research study?
It has greater specificity to the study purpose.
Which is true about using data from an existing database?
It allows larger sampling and complex analyses.
In a study involving multiple data collectors, the researcher helps to ensure consistency in data collection by
detailing the training process of the data collectors in the research report.
Which of the following are true statements about a Likert scale? Select all that apply.
It is designed to determine the opinions or attitudes of study subjects.
Sometimes seven options are given on a response scale, sometimes only four.
It usually consists of 10 to 20 items, each addressing an element of the concept
being measures.
Which of the following are accurate statements about the data collection process when conducting research? Select all that apply.
The actual steps of collecting data are specific to each study and depend on the
research design, sample, and measurement techniques.
The key to accurate data collection in any study is consistency.
