Mcintosh and Morse Paper

Question 1

What is a primary goal of transforming SSI data into numerical data?
A. To replace qualitative insights with statistical trends
B. To eliminate the need for coding
C. To simplify the interview process
D. To enable quantitative analysis for identifying patterns

Answer 1

Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Transforming SSI data into numerical form allows for supplementary quantitative analysis and pattern identification​

Question 2

Question: What is the first step in analyzing SSI data?
A. Transcribing audio data into text
B. Conducting a thematic analysis
C. Coding data for statistical analysis
D. Applying non-parametric statistical tests

Answer 2

Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Transcription of audio data to text is the initial step in preparing SSI data for analysis

Question 3

Which sampling strategy involves identifying participants through referrals from other participants?
A. Convenience sampling
B. Snowball sampling
C. Homogeneous sampling
D. Variable sampling

Answer 3

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Snowball sampling relies on referrals to recruit participants, especially in hard-to-reach populations​

Question 4

What type of sampling is commonly used in SSIs?
A. Random sampling
B. Stratified sampling
C. Purposive sampling
D. Systematic sampling

Answer 4

Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Purposive sampling is used in SSIs to select participants with specific experiences or expertise relevant to the research focus

Question 5

What is the recommended minimum sample size for SSIs to ensure data adequacy?
A. 10 participants
B. 20 participants
C. 30 participants
D. 50 participants

Answer 5

Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A sample size of at least 30 is recommended to ensure data adequacy, allowing for qualitative depth and statistical stability

Question 6

Why might participants prefer internet-based SSIs?
A. They allow for direct interaction with researchers.
B. They provide privacy and anonymity for sensitive topics.
C. They require less preparation by researchers.
D. They guarantee higher data quality than other modes.

Answer 6

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Internet-based SSIs offer privacy and anonymity, particularly beneficial for sensitive research topics

Question 7

What is an advantage of conducting SSIs via telephone?
A. Easier access to geographically remote participants
B. Elimination of the need for auditory communication
C. Enhanced ability to use visual aids
D. Reduced interviewer bias

Answer 7

Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Telephone SSIs allow access to participants in remote locations and those who cannot participate in face-to-face interviews​

Question 8

What is a disadvantage of conducting face-to-face SSIs?
A. Lack of interaction between researcher and participant
B. Increased time and cost compared to other modalities
C. Reduced ability to clarify participant responses
D. Limited ability to probe participant responses

Answer 8

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Face-to-face SSIs are resource-intensive in terms of time and cost compared to telephone or internet methods​

Question 9

How do descriptive/divergent SSIs differ from other types?
A. They focus exclusively on validating existing frameworks.
B. They prioritize statistical generalization over contextual insights.
C. They avoid structured questions to promote free expression.
D. They apply the same interview guide to different subgroups to compare perspectives.

Answer 9

Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Descriptive/divergent SSIs aim to discern differences and similarities in perspectives across subgroups using the same interview guide​

Question 10

What is the primary purpose of descriptive/corrective SSIs?
A. To develop new theories from data
B. To identify and address discrepancies between dominant discourses and participant experiences
C. To provide a purely numerical analysis of qualitative data
D. To highlight differences across demographic groups

Answer 10

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Descriptive/corrective SSIs aim to juxtapose dominant discourses with participant experiences, identifying discrepancies for corrective action

Question 11

Which type of SSI seeks to validate existing theoretical frameworks?
A. Descriptive/confirmative
B. Descriptive/corrective
C. Descriptive/interpretive
D. Descriptive/divergent

Answer 11

Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Descriptive/confirmative SSIs aim to confirm or validate theoretical frameworks using subjective responses

Question 12

What differentiates SSIs from unstructured interviews?
A. SSIs avoid probing participant responses.
B. Unstructured interviews allow numerical transformation of data.
C. SSIs use a predetermined guide for consistency across interviews.
D. Unstructured interviews rely on closed-ended questions.

Answer 12

Correct Answer: C
Rationale: SSIs utilize a structured guide to ensure consistency while allowing probing, unlike unstructured interviews which lack a defined format​

Question 13

How has the empathetic turn influenced SSIs?
A. It eliminated the need for structured frameworks.
B. It positioned researchers as advocates for participants.
C. It restricted SSIs to phenomenological approaches.
D. It minimized the role of participant perspectives.

Answer 13

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The empathetic turn shifted SSIs to focus on advocacy and political engagement, aligning with participants’ needs and experiences

Question 14

What is a key characteristic of semi-structured interviews (SSIs)?
A. Fully structured format with no flexibility
B. Open-ended questions within a structured framework
C. Spontaneous questions with no predetermined structure
D. Exclusive use of numerical data

Answer 14

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSIs combine a structured interview guide with the flexibility to probe participants’ responses, allowing for rich, contextual data​

Question 15

How do SSIs accommodate diverse philosophical assumptions?
A. By adhering to a single explicit theoretical framework
B. By eliminating subjective participant responses
C. By prioritizing quantitative over qualitative paradigms
D. By remaining flexible to align with multiple paradigms

Answer 15

Correct Answer: D
Rationale: SSIs are flexible and can integrate philosophical perspectives from qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method paradigms

Question 16

What is one ethical concern unique to descriptive/confirmative SSIs?
A. The potential imposition of the researcher’s framework onto participants
B. The use of unscripted probes
C. The lack of participant involvement in data analysis
D. The inability to generate new theoretical insights

Answer 16

Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Descriptive/confirmative SSIs risk imposing the researcher’s agenda on participants, which may undermine validity​

Question 17

Why are probes an essential component of SSIs?
A. They standardize all participant responses.
B. They help to clarify and expand upon participant answers.
C. They replace the need for structured questions.
D. They minimize variability in participant perspectives.

Answer 17

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Probes are used to elaborate on participants’ initial responses, enriching the depth of the collected data

Question 18

What is a key step in preparing the interview schedule for an SSI?
A. Conducting a randomized sampling process
B. Developing open-ended question stems based on identified categories
C. Using closed-ended questions for clarity
D. Ensuring all questions are asked in a purely chronological order

Answer 18

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preparing an SSI involves creating open-ended questions based on the identified categories within the research domain​

Question 19

In descriptive/divergent SSIs, what is the primary goal of comparing perspectives across subgroups?
A. To confirm dominant cultural norms
B. To test the validity of quantitative measures
C. To highlight differences and similarities in lived experiences
D. To eliminate bias in statistical analysis

Answer 19

Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Descriptive/divergent SSIs aim to uncover contrasting perspectives and experiences across groups to deepen understanding​

Question 20

Descriptive/interpretive SSIs epistemologically privilege:
A. The researcher’s framework as the primary source of knowledge
B. Participants’ subjective knowledge as essential for expanding the framework
C. Quantitative data over qualitative insights
D. Statistical generalizability over narrative depth

Answer 20

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Descriptive/interpretive SSIs prioritize participants’ subjective knowledge to expand or challenge existing frameworks​

Question 21

Which type of SSI focuses on identifying discrepancies between dominant discourses and participant experiences?
A. Descriptive/confirmative
B. Descriptive/corrective
C. Descriptive/interpretive
D. Descriptive/divergent

Answer 21

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Descriptive/corrective SSIs aim to juxtapose established knowledge with participants’ actual experiences to address discrepancies​

Question 22

What is the primary purpose of descriptive/confirmative SSIs?
A. To explore new theoretical frameworks
B. To validate pre-existing theories or instruments
C. To critique dominant discourses
D. To discover divergent perspectives among subgroups

Answer 22

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Descriptive/confirmative SSIs are designed to confirm existing theoretical frameworks or research findings

Question 23

What is the primary goal of SSIs?
A. To collect subjective responses about specific experiences
B. To quantify participant behavior for statistical analysis
C. To test large-scale interventions in clinical settings
D. To explore emergent themes without a predetermined framework

Answer 23

Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SSIs aim to gather subjective participant responses regarding a defined phenomenon, balancing structure and flexibility​

Question 24

How does the empathetic turn influence SSIs?
A. It maintains the neutral and objective stance of the researcher.
B. It emphasizes advocacy and political engagement for participants.
C. It eliminates the use of structured interview guides.
D. It discourages the collection of sensitive data.

Answer 24

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The empathetic turn shifts the researcher’s role to include advocacy and aligns the interview with participants’ needs and experiences​

Question 25

What is the historical antecedent of the semi-structured interview?
A. The grounded theory approach
B. The in-depth, unstructured interview
C. The focused interview
D. The survey questionnaire

Answer 25

Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The focused interview, developed by Merton and Kendall in 1946, laid the groundwork for modern SSIs

Question 26

Why are SSIs particularly suited for mixed-method research?
A. They require minimal researcher preparation.
B. They allow numerical transformation and analysis of item-by-item responses.
C. They eliminate the need for qualitative approaches.
D. They use a purely inductive research approach.

Answer 26

Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The structured nature of SSIs facilitates the comparison of responses and integration with quantitative data​

Question 27

What makes semi-structured interviews (SSIs) distinct among interview methods?
A. Rigid adherence to closed-ended questions
B. Structured format with flexibility for probing and elaboration
C. Exclusive use in quantitative research
D. Focus solely on observational data

Answer 27

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSIs use a structured interview guide with open-ended questions and allow researchers to probe participants’ responses for richer data

Question 28

What differentiates semi-structured interviews (SSIs) from structured interviews?
A. SSIs use pre-determined, close-ended questions exclusively.
B. SSIs allow for open-ended responses and probing based on participant input.
C. Structured interviews prioritize participant-driven data collection.
D. Structured interviews are inherently qualitative in design.
E. SSIs avoid using any guiding framework for data collection.

Answer 28

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSIs use an interview guide with open-ended questions, enabling researchers to probe participant responses and gain richer data​

Question 29

How do unstructured interviews differ from SSIs?
A. Unstructured interviews use a flexible guide to direct participant responses.
B. SSIs lack any pre-planned questions or structure.
C. Unstructured interviews are participant-driven and lack systematic question order.
D. SSIs focus exclusively on quantitative outcomes.
E. Both use identical question frameworks.

Answer 29

Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Unstructured interviews rely on participant-driven dialogue without pre-planned question order, unlike SSIs which use structured guides​

Question 30

Which type of interview is best suited for exploring entirely new phenomena without prior frameworks?
A. Semi-structured interviews
B. Structured interviews
C. Unstructured interviews
D. Guided interviews
E. In-depth questionnaires

Answer 30

Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Unstructured interviews are ideal for exploring new phenomena as they allow participant-driven exploration without a pre-defined framework

Question 31

What is the primary limitation of guided interviews compared to SSIs?
A. They rely heavily on pre-existing literature for design.
B. They lack item-by-item comparability across participants.
C. They avoid using open-ended questions.
D. They cannot collect sensitive data.
E. They are restricted to quantitative studies

Answer 31

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Guided interviews do not analyze participant responses item-by-item, unlike SSIs, which enable systematic comparison

Question 32

In what way do SSIs benefit healthcare research?
A. By focusing exclusively on statistical health outcomes
B. By revealing patient perspectives on experiences and treatments
C. By avoiding participant biases during data collection
D. By eliminating subjective responses from data analysis
E. By standardizing participant responses

Answer 32

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSIs allow healthcare researchers to capture patient perspectives and experiences, providing rich qualitative insights​

Question 33

Why are SSIs particularly valuable in social science disciplines?
A. They are limited to numerical data analysis.
B. They combine flexibility with structured guidance to explore social phenomena.
C. They restrict participant responses to specific themes.
D. They prioritize statistical trends over personal narratives.
E. They require large-scale randomized sampling.

Answer 33

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSIs combine structured interview guides with flexibility, making them suitable for exploring complex social phenomena

Question 34

What makes SSIs advantageous in educational research?
A. Their ability to uncover cultural and experiential differences among students
B. Their reliance on closed-ended questionnaires
C. Their focus on numerical analysis of academic performance
D. Their elimination of researcher bias
E. Their restriction to large population samples

Answer 34

Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SSIs help uncover cultural and experiential differences, making them valuable in educational research​

Question 35

How are SSIs used in mixed-methods research?
A. As a sole quantitative tool for analyzing participant data
B. As a qualitative component to complement quantitative data
C. To avoid integrating qualitative and quantitative findings
D. As a method restricted to exploratory designs
E. To replace statistical analyses

Answer 35

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSIs are often used in mixed-methods studies to gather qualitative insights that complement quantitative data​

Question 36

What is a benefit of transforming SSI data into numerical data?
A. It ensures all findings remain qualitative.
B. It allows for supplementary statistical analysis of patterns.
C. It eliminates the need for coding or thematic analysis.
D. It avoids participant subjectivity.
E. It standardizes data collection procedures across studies.

Answer 36

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transforming SSI data into numerical data facilitates supplementary statistical analysis and pattern recognition​
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Question 37

What is a defining feature of QUAL-quan mixed-method designs involving SSIs?
A. SSI data is discarded in favor of structured survey responses.
B. Textual data is transformed into numerical form for quantitative analysis.
C. SSI data exclusively determines the study’s conclusions.
D. Quantitative data is analyzed without integrating SSI findings.
E. Qualitative insights are omitted to focus on numerical summaries.

Answer 37

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: QUAL-quan mixed-method designs transform textual SSI data into numerical data to enable further statistical analysis

Question 38

Why are SSIs considered politically engaged research methods?
A. They prioritize numerical data for advocacy purposes.
B. They empower participants by amplifying their voices and advocating for change.
C. They restrict participant responses to ethical guidelines.
D. They emphasize researcher neutrality above all.
E. They avoid challenging dominant societal narratives.

Answer 38

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSIs can amplify participants’ perspectives and advocate for social change, aligning with political and ethical aims

Question 39

Which ethical consideration is unique to face-to-face SSIs?
A. Participants feel greater comfort discussing sensitive topics.
B. Interviewer presence can unintentionally influence participant responses.
C. Participants are less likely to respond fully to questions.
D. Non-verbal cues are excluded from the analysis.
E. The absence of researcher interaction leads to unreliable data.

Answer 39

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In face-to-face SSIs, the presence and demeanor of the interviewer can influence participants’ responses​

Question 40

What is the primary goal of coding in SSI data analysis?
A. To replace qualitative responses with numerical summaries
B. To organize data into themes and categories for interpretation
C. To ensure participant anonymity
D. To eliminate subjectivity from the analysis
E. To prioritize statistical trends over narrative insights

Answer 40

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Coding organizes qualitative data into categories or themes, facilitating meaningful analysis and interpretation

Question 41

Why might researchers use content analysis with SSI data?
A. To identify numerical trends without thematic exploration
B. To summarize informational content systematically
C. To avoid categorizing participant responses
D. To prioritize open-ended exploration over systematic inquiry
E. To eliminate the need for further statistical transformation

Answer 41

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Content analysis allows researchers to summarize and categorize data systematically for interpretation​

Question 42

A researcher is conducting interviews to assess the impact of societal stereotypes on participants’ lived experiences. They use a flexible framework to allow participants to discuss their experiences but ensure all participants are asked the same core questions. Which interview type is the researcher most likely using?
A. Structured interviews
B. Guided interviews
C. Semi-structured interviews
D. Unstructured interviews
E. Focused interviews

Answer 42

Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Semi-structured interviews balance consistency with flexibility, allowing all participants to answer the same core questions while enabling the researcher to probe for deeper insights​

Question 43

A study aims to explore workplace discrimination but starts with a “grand tour” question and adjusts the subsequent questions based on participants’ responses. What makes this approach distinct from SSIs?
A. It allows thematic analysis across participant responses.
B. It lacks a structured interview guide used consistently across participants.
C. It permits item-by-item analysis of participant responses.
D. It excludes the use of probes for elaboration.
E. It prioritizes numerical transformation of qualitative data.

Answer 43

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This approach aligns more closely with unstructured or guided interviews, which adjust dynamically based on participant responses and lack consistent question structures​

Question 44

A qualitative researcher is studying cultural attitudes toward healthcare interventions in a rural community. Which feature of SSIs makes them most appropriate for this study?
A. Their ability to produce generalizable results across populations.
B. Their flexibility to capture subjective perspectives within a structured framework.
C. Their focus on statistical representation of participants’ responses.
D. Their exclusive reliance on open-ended participant narratives.
E. Their capacity to avoid cultural biases during data collection.

Answer 44

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSIs are effective in exploring cultural attitudes because they combine a structured guide with the flexibility to probe for deeper cultural insights​

Question 45

In a study investigating gender disparities in technology adoption, the researchers use SSIs to compare attitudes across different demographic groups. What is the primary advantage of this approach?
A. Ensures statistical generalizability of the findings.
B. Facilitates direct comparison of responses across diverse subgroups.
C. Eliminates the influence of researcher bias during interviews.
D. Guarantees data adequacy with minimal participants.
E. Prioritizes the discovery of universal truths over individual perspectives.

Answer 45

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSIs allow systematic comparison of participant responses across subgroups while preserving the richness of qualitative data​

Question 46

A mixed-methods study uses SSIs to collect qualitative data, which is then transformed into numerical data for further analysis. What challenge might arise during this transformation?
A. Loss of statistical reliability in the transformed data
B. Misrepresentation of participant narratives due to over-coding
C. Inability to conduct content analysis prior to numerical transformation
D. Lack of inter-rater agreement on categorical coding
E. Exclusion of inductive themes during quantitative analysis

Answer 46

Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Transforming qualitative data into numerical data requires rigorous inter-rater reliability to ensure consistency in coding and category definitions​

Question 47

In a QUAL-quan sequential mixed-method design, how might the use of SSIs influence the subsequent quantitative phase?
A. By providing numerical data to construct Likert scale items.
B. By generating exploratory hypotheses for quantitative testing.
C. By restricting the quantitative analysis to predefined categories.
D. By eliminating the need for statistical analysis in the quantitative phase.
E. By standardizing participant responses for quantitative integration.

Answer 47

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a QUAL-quan design, the qualitative phase (using SSIs) often generates hypotheses or insights that guide the quantitative phase​

Question 48

A researcher uses SSIs to explore healthcare inequities in a marginalized community. Which ethical consideration is most critical in this context?
A. Ensuring participants are compensated equally for their time.
B. Avoiding the imposition of the researcher’s framework onto participant responses.
C. Using quantitative analysis to validate participant narratives.
D. Prioritizing large sample sizes for statistical adequacy.
E. Guaranteeing anonymity in face-to-face interviews.

Answer 48

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: It is critical to avoid imposing the researcher’s framework in SSIs, especially when exploring sensitive topics in marginalized communities​

Question 49

How do SSIs align with political advocacy goals in research?
A. By strictly adhering to statistical frameworks.
B. By amplifying participant voices to challenge dominant discourses.
C. By avoiding critical engagement with participants’ narratives.
D. By focusing on abstract theoretical constructs over lived experiences.
E. By excluding any reference to societal power dynamics.

Answer 49

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSIs can serve political advocacy goals by highlighting participant perspectives and challenging dominant societal narratives

Question 50

What step in SSI data analysis is essential for ensuring reliability during coding?
A. Conducting thematic analysis before transcription.
B. Using multiple coders to categorize data and calculate inter-rater agreement.
C. Quantifying participant responses before thematic sorting.
D. Focusing solely on emergent themes without predefined codes.
E. Transcribing selectively to prioritize key narratives.

Answer 50

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Employing multiple coders and calculating inter-rater agreement ensures coding reliability and consistency during analysis​

Question 51

A researcher using SSIs identifies recurring themes in participant responses and assigns numerical values to these themes. Which statistical test is most appropriate for analyzing relationships between categories?
A. Linear regression analysis
B. Chi-square test of independence
C. Paired t-test
D. Pearson correlation coefficient
E. ANOVA

Answer 51

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The chi-square test of independence is suitable for identifying associations between categorical data derived from SSI responses

Question 52

A researcher is designing an interview study and must ensure all participants answer the same core questions in the same order while still exploring subjective perspectives. Which method best meets this need?
A. Guided interviews
B. Unstructured interviews
C. Semi-structured interviews
D. Structured interviews
E. Thematic interviews

Answer 52

Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Semi-structured interviews use a core set of pre-determined questions that are consistent across participants while allowing for flexibility in exploring responses​

Question 53

What is a potential disadvantage of using SSIs compared to unstructured interviews?
A. Reduced ability to explore unexpected themes in depth
B. Limited consistency in participant responses
C. Difficulty in comparing data across participants
D. Excessive reliance on participant-driven dialogue
E. Inability to address specific research questions

Answer 53

Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SSIs may limit the depth of exploration into unexpected themes compared to unstructured interviews, which are more participant-driven​

Question 54

A researcher investigating patient adherence to treatment protocols uses SSIs to uncover personal barriers. Why is this method advantageous in healthcare?
A. It prioritizes statistical analysis over qualitative insights.
B. It allows patients to share subjective experiences in a structured manner.
C. It minimizes variability in patient responses.
D. It excludes emotional factors from data collection.
E. It focuses on standardizing participant narratives.

Answer 54

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSIs allow researchers to collect structured yet flexible insights into patients’ subjective experiences, making them well-suited for exploring adherence barriers​

Question 55

What is a critical limitation when using SSIs to study societal stigma in vulnerable populations?
A. Overemphasis on numerical data for analysis
B. Risk of reinforcing dominant discourses through the interview guide
C. Inability to explore participant emotions
D. Requirement for large sample sizes
E. Lack of flexibility in participant probing

Answer 55

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSIs can risk reinforcing dominant discourses if the interview guide is not carefully designed to avoid imposing the researcher’s perspective

Question 56

How does the transformation of qualitative SSI data into numerical data enhance mixed-methods research?
A. It eliminates subjective interpretations of responses.
B. It allows patterns to emerge through statistical analysis.
C. It prioritizes qualitative insights over quantitative data.
D. It avoids the need for qualitative content analysis.
E. It standardizes participant responses into a fixed format.

Answer 56

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Transforming qualitative data into numerical data enables researchers to identify patterns and relationships through supplementary statistical analysis​

Question 57

A mixed-methods researcher conducts SSIs and identifies themes that guide the design of a subsequent survey. What is the primary benefit of this sequential approach?
A. It generalizes qualitative findings to larger populations.
B. It eliminates the need for a pilot study.
C. It ensures the survey addresses gaps identified in qualitative data.
D. It reduces the complexity of the survey design.
E. It avoids redundancy in research objectives.

Answer 57

Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using SSI findings to guide survey design ensures the quantitative phase addresses gaps and themes identified in the qualitative phase

Question 58

A researcher conducting SSIs on domestic violence notices that a participant becomes visibly distressed. What is the most ethical action to take?
A. Continue the interview to ensure data completeness.
B. Offer the participant a break or support to ensure their well-being.
C. End the interview and remove the participant’s data from the study.
D. Shift focus to less sensitive topics without consulting the participant.
E. Complete the interview and address distress after data collection.

Answer 58

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Researchers must prioritize participant well-being by offering support or breaks during distressing interviews​

Question 59

How does the empathetic turn in SSIs challenge traditional notions of researcher neutrality?
A. By requiring researchers to avoid political engagement
B. By positioning the researcher as an advocate for participants
C. By eliminating the use of structured interview guides
D. By prioritizing objectivity over subjectivity in analysis
E. By discouraging researcher interaction during interviews

Answer 59

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The empathetic turn shifts the researcher’s role toward advocacy and political engagement, moving beyond traditional neutrality​

Question 60

During SSI data analysis, a researcher identifies recurring phrases in participant responses. What is the next step in content analysis?
A. Quantifying the frequency of phrases across all participants
B. Coding the phrases into categories based on shared characteristics
C. Eliminating redundant phrases to simplify the data set
D. Creating a numerical summary of participant narratives
E. Applying statistical tests to validate thematic findings

Answer 60

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Coding recurring phrases into categories allows researchers to organize data for further thematic analysis​

Question 61

A researcher uses inter-rater reliability to validate coding decisions in SSI data. Why is this process important?
A. It ensures the themes are universally applicable.
B. It verifies consistency and accuracy in data interpretation.
C. It eliminates the need for subjective analysis.
D. It reduces participant bias in data responses.
E. It guarantees statistical significance of findings.

Answer 61

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Inter-rater reliability ensures that coding decisions are consistent and accurate, enhancing the trustworthiness of data interpretation

Question 62

What is the primary limitation of thematic analysis in SSI research?
A. It eliminates the possibility of numerical transformation.
B. It focuses exclusively on participant narratives.
C. It requires a large sample size for validity.
D. It avoids systematic coding processes.
E. It limits exploration of participant subjectivity.

Answer 62

Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Thematic analysis focuses on themes across participant responses and does not lend itself to numerical transformation for statistical analysis

Question 63

When might the use of non-parametric statistics be appropriate in analyzing SSI data?
A. When the data set includes continuous numerical variables.
B. When analyzing relationships between categorical responses.
C. When validating participant narratives against theoretical frameworks.
D. When exploring qualitative themes across all interviews.
E. When identifying causal relationships in participant responses.

Answer 63

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Non-parametric statistics are suitable for analyzing relationships between categorical responses derived from SSI data​

Question 64

Why is transcription accuracy crucial before beginning SSI data analysis?
A. It simplifies the thematic analysis process.
B. It ensures participant narratives are preserved for accurate interpretation.
C. It allows researchers to skip coding and proceed to statistical testing.
D. It guarantees inter-rater reliability in data analysis.
E. It enables immediate numerical transformation of responses.

Answer 64

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accurate transcription ensures participant narratives are preserved, which is essential for meaningful data interpretation and analysis

Question 65

In mixed-methods research, what is a key consideration when integrating SSI findings with quantitative data?
A. Prioritizing the quantitative phase over the qualitative phase
B. Ensuring qualitative themes align with quantitative variables
C. Avoiding coding to preserve narrative richness
D. Using thematic analysis to validate quantitative results
E. Standardizing participant responses for statistical transformation

Answer 65

Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aligning qualitative themes with quantitative variables ensures the integration is meaningful and cohesive​

Question 66

A researcher analyzing SSI data finds inconsistencies between participant narratives and dominant societal discourses. How should this be addressed in the analysis?
A. By discarding inconsistent narratives as outliers.
B. By highlighting these inconsistencies to challenge existing frameworks.
C. By prioritizing dominant discourses for broader applicability.
D. By rephrasing participant responses for consistency.
E. By excluding contradictory themes from the final report.

Answer 66

The correct answer is:

B. By highlighting these inconsistencies to challenge existing frameworks.

Rationale: In qualitative research using SSIs, finding inconsistencies between participant narratives and dominant societal discourses can provide valuable insights. Instead of discarding or rephrasing these inconsistencies, the researcher should highlight them to challenge and potentially revise existing frameworks or societal assumptions. This approach contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the phenomenon under investigation.

Question 67

A nurse researcher uses a descriptive/corrective semi-structured interview (SSI) to evaluate the perspectives of patients with chronic illness compared to existing medical assumptions. Which of the following is the primary goal of this research?
A. To validate existing clinical assumptions and confirm the medical model
B. To explore the impact of chronic illness on patients’ social lives
C. To highlight discrepancies between established knowledge and patient experiences
D. To explore patients’ personal health journeys without comparison to medical assumptions

Answer 67

Answer: C
Rationale: Descriptive/corrective SSIs aim to uncover discrepancies between what is known about an experience (e.g., chronic illness) and the actual lived experiences of participants, often leading to corrective action for policies or practices

Question 68

A researcher is conducting a descriptive/interpretive SSI with parents who have experienced the sudden death of their infant. What is the primary purpose of the interview in this context?
A. To collect data to confirm existing theories about grief
B. To discover how the loss of an infant continues to affect parents’ daily lives
C. To investigate the medical causes of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
D. To evaluate the effectiveness of grief counseling services

Answer 68

Answer: B
Rationale: Descriptive/interpretive SSIs are used to understand participants’ subjective experiences and perspectives, in this case, focusing on the long-term emotional and practical impacts of infant loss​

Question 69

During a descriptive/divergent semi-structured interview, the researcher compares perspectives on women’s experiences with postmenopausal hormone therapy. What is the expected outcome of this research method?

A. Identifying general trends in hormone therapy usage
B. Evaluating the risks and benefits of hormone therapy in a clinical setting
C. Confirming the effectiveness of hormone therapy for all women
D. Understanding the differences in attitudes and reasons for use among different groups of women

Answer 69

Answer: D
Rationale: Descriptive/divergent SSIs aim to contrast perspectives across different groups to uncover variations in experiences or attitudes

Question 70

A researcher is developing a semi-structured interview schedule for a study on the experiences of individuals living with chronic pain. Which of the following steps is crucial in preparing the interview schedule?
A. Identifying the categories of the topic and framing open-ended question stems
B. Asking participants to provide personal opinions without any guiding questions
C. Focusing solely on quantifiable aspects of pain for statistical analysis
D. Using pre-set, closed-ended questions to limit participant responses

Answer 70

Answer: A
Rationale: In constructing an SSI, the researcher must identify the domain and categories of inquiry, and develop open-ended questions that allow for in-depth responses from participants​

Question 71

A researcher is conducting a descriptive/interpretive SSI with parents who have experienced the sudden death of their infant. What is the primary purpose of the interview in this context?
A. To collect data to confirm existing theories about grief
B. To discover how the loss of an infant continues to affect parents’ daily lives
C. To investigate the medical causes of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
D. To evaluate the effectiveness of grief counseling services

Answer 71

Answer: B
Rationale: Descriptive/interpretive SSIs are used to understand participants’ subjective experiences and perspectives, in this case, focusing on the long-term emotional and practical impacts of infant loss​

Question 72

During a descriptive/divergent semi-structured interview, the researcher compares perspectives on women’s experiences with postmenopausal hormone therapy. What is the expected outcome of this research method?
A. Identifying general trends in hormone therapy usage
B. Evaluating the risks and benefits of hormone therapy in a clinical setting
C. Confirming the effectiveness of hormone therapy for all women
D. Understanding the differences in attitudes and reasons for use among different groups of women

Answer 72

Answer: D
Rationale: Descriptive/divergent SSIs aim to contrast perspectives across different groups to uncover variations in experiences or attitudes

Question 73

A researcher is developing a semi-structured interview schedule for a study on the experiences of individuals living with chronic pain. Which of the following steps is crucial in preparing the interview schedule?
A. Identifying the categories of the topic and framing open-ended question stems
B. Asking participants to provide personal opinions without any guiding questions
C. Focusing solely on quantifiable aspects of pain for statistical analysis
D. Using pre-set, closed-ended questions to limit participant responses

Answer 73

Answer: A
Rationale: In constructing an SSI, the researcher must identify the domain and categories of inquiry, and develop open-ended questions that allow for in-depth responses from participants​

Question 74

A researcher using a descriptive/confirmative SSI aims to validate an existing research framework. What is the primary epistemological assumption of this approach?
A. Participants’ knowledge and experiences will expand or refute the research framework
B. The researcher’s theoretical framework will guide participants’ responses
C. Participants’ subjective responses will confirm existing knowledge and hypotheses
D. Knowledge is co-constructed between the researcher and the participant

Answer 74

Answer: C
Rationale: Descriptive/confirmative SSIs aim to validate or confirm existing frameworks by comparing participants’ subjective responses to established knowledge

Question 75

A researcher is developing an SSI schedule to investigate the long-term impact of sudden infant death on parents. What is the first step in constructing the interview schedule?
A. Writing detailed question stems
B. Conducting a pilot test with the interview guide
C. Identifying the domain of the topic and its boundaries
D. Creating a chart linking categories to literature references

Answer 75

Answer: C
Rationale: The first step in constructing an SSI is to identify the domain of the topic, including its boundaries, to ensure the research remains focused and relevant.

Question 76

During the SSI process, the researcher prepares probes for follow-up questions. Which example demonstrates an appropriate unscheduled probe?
A. “Why did you decide to take this approach?”
B. “Tell me more about how you handled that situation.”
C. “Do you think this decision was influenced by others?”
D. “Was there a specific reason for your action?”

Answer 76

Answer: B
Rationale: An unscheduled probe like “Tell me more about…” encourages elaboration without leading the participant, maintaining neutrality.

Question 77

Which principle ensures that SSI questions are clearly worded and presented in a logical order?
A. Specification
B. Tacit assumption
C. Division
D. Conceptual boundary

Answer 77

Answer: C
Rationale: Division ensures that questions are clearly communicated, logically ordered, and appropriately sequenced for effective data collection.

Question 78

A nurse researcher is preparing SSI questions for a study on parental grief after infant loss. Which of the following exemplifies an affectively neutral question?
A. “How did losing your baby affect your relationship with your partner?”
B. “Why did you choose not to talk to others about your grief?”
C. “Did your grief change over time or remain the same?”
D. “Can you tell me about your decision to seek support services?”

Answer 78

Answer: D
Rationale: Neutral wording like “Can you tell me…” avoids emotional bias and encourages participants to share their experiences freely.

Question 79

When constructing an SSI, what is the main purpose of using scheduled and unscheduled probes?
A. To ensure the interview schedule is replicable across participants
B. To obtain in-depth and elaborative responses from participants
C. To avoid leading questions during the interview process
D. To compare responses across diverse participant groups

Answer 79

Answer: B
Rationale: Probes, whether scheduled or unscheduled, help to elicit deeper insights and elaborative responses, enriching the data collected.

Question 80

A researcher identifies three categories for a study on parental grief: (a) the experience of loss, (b) communication with family, and (c) long-term impact. What is the next step in constructing the SSI schedule?
A. Writing probes for each category
B. Drafting question stems for each category
C. Conducting a literature review on the topic
D. Testing the interview schedule with pilot participants

Answer 80

Answer: B
Rationale: Once categories are established, the next step is drafting question stems that address each category.

Question 81

Question 7
An SSI researcher asks participants, “Can you describe what the experience of losing your baby was like for you?” What type of data does this question primarily collect?
A. Explicit data
B. Implicit data
C. Quantitative data
D. Normative data

Answer 81

Answer: A
Rationale: Responses to direct questions in an SSI are explicit data, as they represent the participant’s specific articulated experiences.

Question 82

Which of the following demonstrates an example of a well-constructed SSI question adhering to the principle of specification?
A. “Can you explain how your partner reacted to the loss of your child?”
B. “Why did your family members respond the way they did?”
C. “What was the most challenging aspect of your loss and grief?”
D. “Do you think the people around you supported you adequately?”

Answer 82

Answer: A
Rationale: The principle of specification ensures each question is focused and derived from a specific category of the research domain.

Question 83

Why is purposive sampling preferred for SSI research?
A. To ensure a sample demographically representative of the population.
B. To select participants with specific experiences relevant to the study.
C. To maximize sample size for statistical generalization.
D. To eliminate researcher bias during participant selection.

Answer 83

Answer: B
Rationale: Purposive sampling ensures participants have relevant experiences or expertise to provide valid insights.

Question 84

What is the recommended minimum sample size for SSI research involving qualitative-to-quantitative data transformation?
A. 10 participants
B. 20 participants
C. 30 participants
D. 50 participants

Answer 84

Answer: C
Rationale: A minimum of 30 participants is necessary for meaningful quantitative analysis of SSI data.

Question 85

What is the first step in preparing SSI data for analysis?
A. Coding participant responses.
B. Transcribing audio recordings to text.
C. Conducting non-parametric statistical analysis.
D. Sorting data into pre-defined categories.

Answer 85

Answer: B
Rationale: Accurate transcription is critical to ensure the integrity of the data for further analysis.

Question 86

Which qualitative data analysis approach is commonly used in SSI research?
A. Developing theoretical abstractions.
B. Identifying the essence of lived experiences.
C. Sorting and summarizing data by common characteristics.
D. Creating grounded theories from textual responses.

Answer 86

Answer: C
Rationale: SSI analysis involves sorting and summarizing data to describe and categorize participants’ responses.

Question 87

A researcher identifies broad categories during content analysis but finds them cluttered. What is the next step?
A. Expand the scope of the research domain.
B. Divide broad categories into smaller, more specific subcategories.
C. Revisit the research objectives for clarification.
D. Remove redundant participant responses.

Answer 87

Answer: B
Rationale: Subdividing broad categories ensures that data are organized and analyzed effectively.

Question 88

How can researchers ensure inter-rater reliability during content analysis of SSI data?
A. Use a single coder for all transcripts.
B. Allow coders to independently develop categories.
C. Calculate inter-rater agreement after multiple coders analyze data.
D. Focus only on explicit data without considering implicit content.

Answer 88

Answer: C
Rationale: Calculating inter-rater agreement ensures reliability and consistency in coding across researchers.

Question 89

In a QUAL-quan mixed-method design, when should qualitative SSI data be transformed into numerical data?
A. Before qualitative coding is completed.
B. After content analysis is finalized.
C. During participant recruitment.
D. During data collection.

Answer 89

Answer: B
Rationale: Data transformation occurs after content analysis to ensure accurate numerical representation of qualitative findings.

Question 90

What is a major advantage of using SSIs in mixed-method designs?
A. SSIs eliminate the need for quantitative analysis.
B. SSIs are easily replicated without a structured interview schedule.
C. SSIs allow integration of qualitative insights with statistical analysis.
D. SSIs prioritize implicit data over explicit responses.

Answer 90

Answer: C
Rationale: Mixed-method designs leverage the flexibility of SSIs to complement quantitative findings with qualitative depth.

Question 91

A nurse researcher conducts SSI research on coping strategies among cancer survivors and integrates the findings into a Likert-scale questionnaire. What process does this exemplify?
A. Data preparation
B. Data triangulation
C. Instrument development
D. Secondary data analysis

Answer 91

Answer: C
Rationale: Insights from SSI research can inform the creation of quantitative tools like Likert-scale questionnaires for future studies.

Question 92

What is the primary step in transforming qualitative data from semi-structured interviews (SSIs) into numerical data?
A. Conducting a chi-square independence test on coded data
B. Creating a codebook with discrete and comprehensive categories
C. Tabulating the frequency of participant responses
D. Establishing inter-rater agreement among coders

Answer 92

Answer: B
Rationale: The first step in data transformation is creating a codebook that organizes categories, inclusion/exclusion criteria, and examples from the data.

Question 93

During data transformation, why is inter-rater reliability essential?
A. To ensure all coders interpret the data in the same way
B. To eliminate the need for statistical testing
C. To confirm that the categories in the codebook are exhaustive
D. To minimize participant response variability

Answer 93

Answer: A
Rationale: Inter-rater reliability ensures that different coders consistently interpret and categorize data, which increases the validity of the results.

Question 94

A researcher investigates whether marital communication reduces grief intensity in couples after infant loss. Which statistical method is appropriate to analyze this relationship after data transformation?
A. Independent t-test
B. Chi-square independence test
C. Analysis of variance (ANOVA)
D. Pearson correlation coefficient

Answer 94

Answer: B
Rationale: The chi-square independence test is appropriate for assessing relationships between categorical variables, such as communication patterns and grief intensity.

Question 95

The results of an SSI study confirm existing knowledge about parental grief. How can these results most effectively contribute to the advancement of knowledge?
A. By translating them into theoretical models
B. By identifying new gaps for future research
C. By validating pre-existing research frameworks
D. By focusing exclusively on qualitative analysis

Answer 95

Answer: C
Rationale: Results that confirm existing knowledge validate and strengthen prior research frameworks, contributing to the reliability of existing evidence.

Question 96

Which of the following highlights the significance of SSI results for advancing critical, feminist, or phenomenological research?
A. They generate abstract theoretical models for interdisciplinary studies.
B. They yield descriptive summaries pivotal for knowledge advancement.
C. They solely produce quantitative data to support hypotheses.
D. They focus exclusively on participant demographic information.

Answer 96

Answer: B
Rationale: The descriptive summaries from SSI research are foundational in advancing critical, feminist, and phenomenological perspectives by providing concrete, participant-centered insights.