Chapter #10

Question 1

Direct (easy) vs. Indirect (abstract) measurement: Direct

Answer 1

concrete things, such as oxygen saturation, temperature, blood pressure, weight, demographic variables

Question 2

Direct (easy) vs. Indirect (abstract) measurement: Indirect

Answer 2

indicator of concepts abstract concepts such as pain, depression, coping, self-care, and self-esteem, anxiety level, feelings

Question 3

Reliability (Consistent results, time frame, evaluator) vs. Validity (accuracy): Reliability

Question 4

If expressed as a correlation coefficient (r):

Answer 4

1.00 is perfect reliability, whereas 0.00 is no reliability

Question 5

What is the lowest acceptable coefficient for a well-developed measurement tool?

Answer 5

0.80

Question 6

Types of reliability: Stability

Answer 6

Concerned with the consistency of repeated measures or test-retest reliability.

Question 7

Types of reliability: Equivalence

Answer 7

Focused on comparing two versions of the same instrument (alternate forms reliability) or two observers (interrater reliability) measuring the same event.

Question 8

Types of reliability: Homogeneity

Answer 8

Addresses the correlation of various items within the instrument or internal consistency; determined by split-half reliability or Cronbach’s alpha coefficient.

Question 9

Scale (e.g., Likert Scale: used for peoples opinion): Likert scale (most common)

Answer 9

Designed to determine the opinions or attitudes of study subjects. This scale contains a number of declarative statements, with a scale after each statement.

Question 10

Levels of Measurement: Nominal

Answer 10

named variables

Question 11

Levels of Measurement: Ordinal

Answer 11

named + ordered variables

Question 12

Levels of Measurement: Interval

Answer 12

named + ordered + proportionate interval between variables

Question 13

Levels of Measurement: Ratio- continuous measure (age, income)

Answer 13

named + ordered + proportionate interval between variables + can accommodate absolute zero.

Question 14

The purpose of measurement is to?

Answer 14

obtain trustworthy data that can be used to address the quantitative study purpose and objectives, questions, or hypotheses.

Question 15

The rules of measurement ensure that?

Answer 15

The assignment of values or categories is performed consistently from one study participant to another, and eventually, if the measurement strategy is found to be meaningful, from one study to another.

Question 16

The levels of measurement from low to high are?

Answer 16

nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.

Question 17

Reliability in measurement is concerned with?

Answer 17

The consistency of the measurement technique, reliability testing focuses on stability, equivalence, and internal consistency.

Question 18

The validity of an instrument is a?

Answer 18

determination of the extent to which the instrument reflects the abstract concept being examined. The types of validity described includes content, construct, and criterion.

Question 19

Readability level focuses on?

Answer 19

The study participants’ ability to read and comprehend the content of an instrument, which adds to the reliability and validity of the instrument.

Question 20

Physiological measures are examined for?

Answer 20

precision, accuracy, and error in research report.

Question 21

Diagnostic and screening tests are examined for?

Answer 21

for sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratios.

Question 22

Common measurement approaches used in nursing research include?

Answer 22

physiological measures, observation, interviews, questionnaires, and scales.

Question 23

Rating, Likert, and visual analog scales are described for use?

Answer 23

in research and practice.

Question 24

If an existing database is used in conducting studies, the quality of the database should be?

Answer 24

addressed in the research report.

Question 25

The data collection tasks that should be critically appraised in a study include?

Answer 25

the recruitment of study participants, consistency of the data collection, and maintenance of controls in the study design.

Question 26

Levels of measurement:

Answer 26

1. Nominal
2. Ordinal
3. Interval
4. Ratio

Question 27

Physiological measures are used to?

Answer 27

examine precision, accuracy, and error.

Question 28

Diagnostic and screening tests are used to examine?

Answer 28

sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratios.

Question 29

The data collection tasks that should be critically appraised in a study:

Answer 29

• the recruitment of study participants
• consistency of the data collection
• maintenance of controls in the study design