Lecture 1: Intro to Qualitative research Flashcards
Introduction to Qualitative Research
Which of the following best defines ontology in the context of nursing research?
A. The principles and strategies used to gather data
B. The theory of knowledge and valid ways to acquire it
C. The nature of reality and existence in the social world
D. The technical procedures for testing hypotheses
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ontology refers to the nature of reality and existence, addressing how researchers view the world they study
What is the primary focus of epistemology in qualitative research?
A. Understanding cultural norms and practices
B. Exploring how knowledge is constructed and what counts as valid knowledge
C. Developing statistical frameworks to measure reality
D. Analyzing the social impact of research outcomes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Epistemology examines the relationship between the researcher and the knowledge being studied, as well as what constitutes valid knowledge
Which of the following is a characteristic of a paradigm in qualitative research?
A. It provides statistical tools for hypothesis testing.
B. It establishes a framework for understanding phenomena based on shared assumptions.
C. It exclusively focuses on quantitative methods of data collection.
D. It involves only fixed and predetermined research designs.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A paradigm consists of beliefs, assumptions, and practices that shape how researchers understand phenomena, guiding methodologies and approaches in research
In nursing research, methodology is best described as:
A. The tools and software used to analyze data
B. The ethical considerations involved in research design
C. The principles guiding the selection of research procedures and strategies
D. The social implications of research outcomes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Methodology refers to the principles and strategies researchers use to conduct studies, guiding the selection of specific methods and approaches
Which statement accurately describes the paradigms of qualitative research?
A. Qualitative research paradigms prioritize numerical data over theoretical frameworks.
B. They focus on understanding lived experiences and subjective meanings.
C. Paradigms are fixed frameworks that do not evolve during research.
D. They aim to control variables to predict outcomes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Paradigms in qualitative research are rooted in understanding and interpreting the lived experiences and subjective realities of individuals1
Which of the following researchers is most likely operating within a qualitative paradigm?
A. A researcher measuring blood glucose levels to determine the effect of diet on diabetes
B. A researcher exploring patients’ experiences of living with chronic illness through interviews
C. A researcher conducting a randomized controlled trial to assess medication efficacy
D. A researcher analyzing statistical trends in hospital readmissions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A qualitative paradigm focuses on exploring subjective experiences and meanings, often using interviews or other methods that prioritize participants’ perspectives
What does the concept of a paradigm include in the context of qualitative research?
A. The numerical measurements used to compare study outcomes
B. The shared theoretical ideas and technical procedures used by a group of researchers
C. The ethical guidelines for conducting research
D. The statistical tools required for data analysis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A paradigm encompasses theoretical ideas and technical procedures adopted by researchers, rooted in a particular worldview
A researcher’s belief that multiple realities exist and are shaped by individual experiences aligns with which paradigm component?
A. Methodology
B. Epistemology
C. Ontology
D. Data collection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ontology addresses the nature of reality, and the belief in multiple realities reflects a constructivist ontological perspective common in qualitative research
Question 9:
A nurse conducting qualitative research states, “I believe valid knowledge can only come from interactions with participants and their lived experiences.” This statement aligns with:
A. Ontology
B. Paradigm
C. Epistemology
D. Methodology
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Epistemology focuses on the nature of knowledge and how it is acquired. This statement reflects the belief that knowledge is constructed through interaction and experience1
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Question 10:
Which aspect of research is influenced by the researcher’s methodological approach?
A. The sample size and its generalizability
B. The tools used for statistical testing
C. The principles guiding data collection and analysis
D. The publication of results
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Methodology guides the principles, procedures, and strategies used for data collection and analysis, making it a central component of research design
What is the primary goal of qualitative research in healthcare?
A. To test specific hypotheses and make predictions
B. To measure the effectiveness of treatment protocols
C. To understand and describe participants’ lived experiences and social contexts
D. To analyze numerical data to identify trends
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Qualitative research aims to explore and understand the lived experiences of participants, focusing on the social and cultural contexts that shape these experiences
Which statement best defines qualitative research?
A. It is a method for testing theories using experimental designs.
B. It is an approach focused on exploring subjective experiences and understanding social phenomena.
C. It is a framework for collecting numerical data to evaluate clinical outcomes.
D. It is a tool for assessing the reliability of quantitative data.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Qualitative research is centered on exploring subjective experiences and understanding social phenomena as perceived by individuals and groups
A key feature of qualitative research is its focus on:
A. Statistical reliability and control of variables
B. Generalizability across populations
C. Subjective experiences and meanings
D. Laboratory-based experimental settings
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Qualitative research prioritizes the exploration of subjective experiences, focusing on the meanings and interpretations of participants in natural settings1
Question 4:
How does qualitative research differ from quantitative research in its aim?
A. Qualitative research aims to explore and describe, while quantitative research aims to predict and control.
B. Qualitative research tests hypotheses, while quantitative research generates theories.
C. Qualitative research emphasizes numerical data, while quantitative research avoids it.
D. Qualitative research focuses on large samples, while quantitative research does not.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The aim of qualitative research is to explore and describe participants’ experiences, whereas quantitative research focuses on prediction and control through numerical data1
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Question 5:
Which of the following research questions is most appropriate for a qualitative study?
A. What is the statistical correlation between age and medication adherence?
B. How do patients describe their experiences of living with a terminal illness?
C. What is the effectiveness of a new drug in reducing blood pressure?
D. How does exercise influence body mass index over six months?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Qualitative research questions focus on understanding subjective experiences and the meanings participants assign to them
What is the basis of qualitative research in healthcare?
A. Evaluating the effectiveness of clinical treatments
B. Understanding and interpreting human experiences within their social contexts
C. Predicting outcomes based on controlled trials
D. Quantifying patient satisfaction using surveys
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Qualitative research in healthcare is grounded in understanding human experiences and the social or cultural contexts that influence them
Question 8:
Which type of data is most commonly analyzed in qualitative research?
A. Numerical and measurable data
B. Descriptive and narrative data
C. Statistical data from randomized trials
D. Quantifiable data from surveys
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Qualitative research involves analyzing descriptive and narrative data to explore meanings and experiences
Question 9:
What is a key outcome of qualitative research in healthcare?
A. The development of standardized treatment protocols
B. A statistical report with measurable results
C. An in-depth understanding of patients’ lived experiences
D. Generalizable findings applicable to large populations
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The primary outcome of qualitative research is an in-depth understanding of participants’ lived experiences, which provides valuable insights for patient-centered care
Question 10:
Which of the following is an example of qualitative research?
A. Conducting a survey to determine the prevalence of hypertension
B. Performing interviews to explore how nurses cope with workplace stress
C. Comparing blood pressure readings before and after medication administration
D. Testing the efficacy of a new surgical procedure in a clinical trial
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Qualitative research involves exploring subjective experiences, such as how individuals cope with stress, using methods like interviews
Question 1:
What is the primary focus of qualitative research?
A. Exploring individual and cultural experiences
B. Measuring clinical outcomes using numerical data
C. Randomized sampling to ensure validity
D. Testing hypotheses in laboratory settings
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Qualitative research prioritizes understanding and exploring individual and cultural experiences
Question 2:
In qualitative research, what role does the researcher often play?
A. A distant observer of participant interactions
B. An active participant immersed in the study’s context
C. A neutral data analyst using statistical tools
D. An administrator of controlled experiments
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Researchers in qualitative studies often immerse themselves in the participants’ natural settings to gain deeper insights
Question 3:
Which of the following data collection methods is most consistent with qualitative research?
A. Randomized controlled trials
B. Standardized questionnaires
C. In-depth interviews and participant observation
D. Structured surveys
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Qualitative research relies on in-depth, flexible methods like interviews and observations to gather rich, detailed data
Question 4:
How is rigor maintained in qualitative research?
A. By ensuring statistical significance of findings
B. Through trustworthiness, authenticity, and transferability
C. By using large sample sizes for generalizability
D. By conducting double-blind experiments
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rigor in qualitative research is demonstrated through trustworthiness, authenticity, and the transferability of findings
Question 5:
Which characteristic of qualitative research focuses on understanding participants’ inner worlds?
A. Thematic analysis
B. Etic perspective
C. Emic perspective
D. Statistical comparison
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The emic perspective emphasizes understanding participants’ experiences and views from their own standpoint1
Question 6:
Qualitative research is often described as:
A. Data-driven and context-bound
B. Hypothesis-testing and product-oriented
C. Quantitative and experimental
D. Laboratory-focused and controlled
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Qualitative research derives theories directly from data and is deeply context-sensitive1
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What type of analysis is commonly used in qualitative research?
A. Regression analysis
B. Thematic or constant comparative analysis
C. Randomized controlled analysis
D. Probability analysis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thematic or constant comparative analysis is widely used in qualitative research to identify patterns and themes
Question 8:
What does it mean for qualitative research to be “context-bound”?
A. It requires data to be collected in a controlled laboratory.
B. Findings are specific to the natural settings and social environments studied.
C. It avoids cultural or social influences in data collection.
D. Results can be easily generalized across populations.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Context-bound means qualitative research findings are tied to the specific social or cultural settings in which the study occurs
Question 9:
Which sampling method is typical in qualitative research?
A. Random sampling
B. Theoretical or purposive sampling
C. Double-blind sampling
D. Stratified sampling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Qualitative research often uses theoretical or purposive sampling to select participants who can provide deep insights into the phenomena being studied
Question 10:
What is a key difference in data analysis between qualitative and quantitative research?
A. Qualitative research uses statistical software exclusively.
B. Qualitative research identifies patterns and themes, while quantitative focuses on numerical analysis.
C. Both use the same statistical methods.
D. Qualitative research relies on control groups for comparisons.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Qualitative research emphasizes identifying themes and patterns in narrative data, while quantitative research focuses on numerical analysis and hypothesis testing
What is the primary aim of quantitative research?
A. Exploring participants’ experiences in natural settings
B. Generating statistical data to test hypotheses and make predictions
C. Understanding cultural influences on healthcare practices
D. Describing lived experiences through narrative analysis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Quantitative research focuses on testing hypotheses, measuring variables, and making predictions based on numerical data
Which of the following is a key characteristic of qualitative research compared to quantitative research?
A. It relies on laboratory settings for data collection.
B. It aims to understand subjective meanings and experiences.
C. It requires randomized sampling for validity.
D. It emphasizes statistical analysis of variables.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Qualitative research emphasizes understanding subjective experiences and exploring the meanings participants assign to phenomena
In which type of research is the researcher’s relationship with participants likely to be closer?
A. Qualitative research
B. Quantitative research
C. Both types equally
D. Neither type
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In qualitative research, the researcher often develops close relationships with participants to gather in-depth data and understand their perspectives
How does sampling differ between qualitative and quantitative research?
A. Qualitative research uses random sampling, while quantitative uses purposive sampling.
B. Quantitative research uses theoretical sampling, while qualitative uses fixed samples.
C. Qualitative research uses purposive or theoretical sampling, while quantitative relies on randomized sampling.
D. Both use randomized sampling for generalizability.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Qualitative research often employs purposive or theoretical sampling, while quantitative research typically relies on randomized sampling
Which outcome is more likely in qualitative research than quantitative research?
A. A statistically significant correlation between two variables
B. An in-depth narrative of participants’ lived experiences
C. A measurable and testable result
D. A prediction of causal relationships
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Qualitative research aims to provide rich, detailed narratives of participants’ experiences rather than measurable or predictive outcomes1
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