Quiz 2 - Practice Questions

Question 1

Internal validity is important to the nurse researcher because it asks what?

A. If the study is generalizable to the larger population

B. If the Hawthorne effect affected the findings

C. Whether the independent variable really made the change in the dependent variable

D. Whether study findings are a result of measurement effects

Answer 1

C. Whether the independent variable really made the change in the dependent variable

The definition of internal validity is the degree that the experimental treatment, rather than an uncontrolled condition, resulted in the outcomes. External validity asks if the study is generalizable to the larger population. The Hawthorne effect is a threat to external validity. Measurement effects are a threat to external validity.

Question 2

For large experimental studies, conducting a pilot study helps the researcher determine what?

A. Degree of internal control over dependent variables

B. Accuracy and objectivity of the design

C. Feasibility of the research design

D. Constancy of data collection

Answer 2

C. Feasibility of the research design

A pilot study informs the researcher of pragmatic considerations in conducting the research study. The researcher does not control for dependent variables. Accuracy and objectivity of the design are established before a pilot study is conducted. Constancy of data collection is established during design of the study, before a pilot study.

Question 2

A research study was under way looking at the frequency of mammograms in perimenopausal women. During the study a celebrity was diagnosed with breast cancer. The effect of this event on the research findings is called what?

A. Maturation

B. Reactivity

C. Constancy

D. History

Answer 2

D. History

This event occurred outside the experimental setting and may have had an effect on the dependent variable. Maturation refers to developmental processes within subjects. Reactivity refers to subject response to being studied. Constancy refers to control over data collection procedures.

Question 3

The nurse researcher is trying to determine which Boolean operator should be used to combine synonyms for a concept during the literature search. What is the most effective operator to use in this case?

A. And

B. Not

C. Or

D. And not

Answer 3

C. Or

Using “or” in this case is the only choice that will allow the combining of synonyms for a concept during a literature search electronically. Using “and” in this case will not allow the combining of synonyms for a concept. Using “not” in this case will not allow the combining of synonyms for a concept. Using “and not” in this case will not allow the combining of synonyms for a concept.

Question 4

Administration of an intervention to one group of subjects and not another is an example of what? (Select all that apply.)

A. Homogeneity of subjects
B. Manipulation of the independent variable

C. An experimental study

D. The introduction of bias

Answer 4

B. Manipulation of the independent variable

C. An experimental study

The intervention is the independent variable and is controlled through the use of a control group. The use of a control group is part of the classic experimental design. Homogeneity of subjects refers to the control of extraneous variables. Bias is partially controlled with the use of a control group.

Question 4

The nurse researcher strives for accuracy in the research design so that what happens?

A. All aspects of the study logically flow from the research question

B. All mediating variables have been controlled

C. Gaps in the literature have been identified

D. The timing of data collection was the same for each subject

Answer 4

A. All aspects of the study logically flow from the research question

Every step of the research process should flow from the research question. Control of mediating variables refers to holding conditions of the study constant. Identification of gaps of knowledge is one step in establishing objectivity of the research question, not accuracy in the research design. Timing of data collection provides constancy in data collection, not accuracy in research design.

Question 4

The nurse researcher should strive for subjects to demonstrate homogeneity with respect to which variables?

A. Independent

B. Dependent

C. Extraneous

D. Outcome

Answer 4

C. Extraneous

In order to control extraneous variables, subjects should be similar. The independent variables are manipulated by the researcher and will not be homogeneous. The dependent variable is expected to change during the study. Outcome variables are expected to change during the study.

Question 5

To avoid threats to validity, a researcher must identify, plan for, and control what?

A. Independent variables

B. Unexpected findings

C. The control group

D. Extraneous variables

Answer 5

D. Extraneous variables

Extraneous variables could affect the dependent variable and are a threat to the internal validity of the study. The independent variables are manipulated by the researcher as part of the research design. By their very nature, unexpected findings cannot be identified ahead of time and are not controlled by the researcher. The control group is part of the research design; this is not the best answer.

Question 6

The nurse is using CINAHL as an electronic database. What is an effective technique to use with this database?

A. Use complete sentences when using Advanced Search

B. Mark “Research Articles,” and then select “Search”

C. Use the Boolean connector “and” to broaden your search

D. Use the Limit Your Results section to limit results by age group

Answer 6

D. Use the Limit Your Results section to limit results by age group

Using the Limit Your Results section can help limit results by age group, year, or clinical queries, for example. Do not use complete sentences when using the Advanced Search feature. Select “Search” and then “Research articles” to ensure that you retrieve only articles that are actually research. Using the Boolean connector “and” will narrow your search.

Question 7

Objectivity in the conceptualization of the research question is derived from what?

A. A random sample of subjects

B. A control group

C. The review of literature

D. The selection of instruments to be used

Answer 7

C. The review of literature

The review of the literature, as well as the theoretical framework, informs the researcher of the breadth and depth of available knowledge in the area. Conceptualization of the research question occurs before sample selection. Conceptualization of the research question occurs before instrument selection.

Question 8

A researcher studies the differences in IQ between girls and boys. She tests cohorts of girls and boys in the third grade and then tests the same girls and boys when they are in the sixth grade. Which are threats to internal validity in this study? (Select all that apply.)

A. Maturation

B. History

C. Testing

D. Measurement effects

Answer 8

A. Maturation

C. Testing

Maturation refers to developmental processes within subjects over time. Testing refers to the influence on subjects’ responses caused by taking the same test repeatedly. History refers to events that occur outside the experimental setting. Measurement effects refer to the effect of a pretest on the generalizability of the study findings.

Question 8

A researcher decides to use six people to help collect data for a quantitative study. What is a potential threat to the internal validity of this study?

A. History

B. Instrumentation

C. Maturation

D. Selection effects

Answer 8

B. Instrumentation

A bias could be introduced if the six people involved in data collection are not consistent. History refers to events that occur outside the experimental setting. Maturation refers to developmental processes within subjects over time. Selection bias occurs if precautions are not used to gain a representative sample.

Question 10

Similarities between literature reviews conducted for research purposes and literature reviews conducted for research consumers include what? (Select all that apply.)

A. Amount of literature required to be reviewed

B. Degree of critical reading required

C. Importance of conceptual literature

D. Purpose of the review

Answer 10

b. Degree of critical reading required

C. Importance of conceptual literature

Question 11

In quantitative research, control is used to avoid what?

A. Duplication

B. Bias

C. Randomization

D. Homogeneity

Answer 11

B. Bias

The researcher holds conditions of the study uniform to avoid possible impact of bias on the outcome. Duplication is not a relevant term for describing rigor in the research process. Randomization is an aim of quantitative research, not something to be avoided. Homogeneity of subjects is an aim of quantitative research, not something to be avoided.

Question 13

What is the first step in the qualitative research process?

A. Data analysis

B. Sample

C. Review of the literature

D. Study design

Answer 13

C. Review of the literature

A review of the literature is the first step in the qualitative research process. Data analysis is the sixth step in the qualitative research process. Sampling is the third step in the qualitative research process. The study design is the second step in the qualitative research process.

Question 14

What does scholarly literature include? (Select all that apply.)

A. Research reports reported in primary sources only

B. Conceptual and theoretical literature from primary sources only

C. Published and unpublished reports of research

D. Primary and secondary sources

Answer 14

C. Published and unpublished reports of research

D. Primary and secondary sources

Published and unpublished reports of research are both sources of scholarly literature. Primary and secondary sources are both sources of scholarly literature.

Question 15

Characteristics of the literature review required for a quantitative research study include what? (Select all that apply.)

A. The review is exhaustive and must include all studies conducted in the area.

B. Doctoral dissertations and masters’ theses are preferred sources of information.

C. Computer-accessed materials are acceptable

D. Primary sources are not as important as secondary sources.

Answer 15

B. Doctoral dissertations and masters’ theses are preferred sources of information.

C. Computer-accessed materials are acceptable

Doctoral dissertations and masters’ theses are excellent sources of information. Computer-accessed materials are acceptable. The review is broad and systematic, as well as in-depth, but not usually exhaustive. Primary sources are more important than secondary sources.

Question 18

The nurse researcher defines control as what?

A. Having a large sample size

B. Manipulating the dependent variable

C. Having a basis of comparison for each experimental group of subjects

D. Holding conditions of the study constant

Answer 18

D. Holding conditions of the study constant

Control is defined as holding the conditions of the study constant and controlling for extraneous variables. The size of the sample is a concern of generalizability, not control. The dependent variable is not manipulated by the researcher. Having a basis of comparison for experimental subjects is a method of controlling for extraneous variables, but it is not the definition of “control.”

Question 19

What must occur for the nurse researcher to randomly select a sample of subjects?

A. Each subject should have an equal chance of being selected

B. Subjects who might die or leave the study voluntarily should be eliminated

C. Subjects should be grouped according to homogeneity

D. Each subject should be selected on the basis of his or her ability to participate

Answer 19

A. Each subject should have an equal chance of being selected

Each subject in the target population must have an equal chance of being selected. There is no way of predicting which subjects might leave the study. Grouping subjects according to homogeneity introduces new independent variables into the study. Selecting participants on the basis of their ability to participate is called “convenience sampling” and introduces potential bias into the study.

Question 20

The nurse is using an electronic database sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The nurse is most likely using which database?

A. ERIC

B. MEDLINE

C. EMBASE

D. CINAHL

Answer 20

A. ERIC

ERIC is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. MEDLINE is produced by the National Library of Medicine. EMBASE indexes an additional 5 million records not covered on MEDLINE. CINAHL is available as part of the EBSCO online service.

Question 21

The nurse researcher randomly selects subjects in order to do what?

A. Increase the number of participants

B. Eliminate bias

C. Prevent contamination of subjects

D. Control the dependent variables

Answer 21

B. Eliminate bias

Randomization eliminates the bias of extraneous variables. Randomization does not require a certain number of subjects. Randomization cannot prevent contamination of subjects. Dependent variables are not manipulated or controlled by the researcher. Randomization does not require a certain number of subjects.

Question 22

Extraneous variables can be controlled by what? (Select all that apply.)

A. Randomly selecting subjects

B. Using a homogeneous sample

C. Manipulating the dependent variable

D. conducting a pilot test

Answer 22

A. Randomly selecting subjects

B. Using a homogeneous sample

Randomization is a means of controlling extraneous variables. Homogeneity of the sample is a means of controlling extraneous variables. The dependent variable is not manipulated by the researcher. The pilot test demonstrates the pragmatism of the research design.