Review Questions

Question 1

A nurse researcher should be particularly concerned about having a small sample size for which of the following reasons?

Answer 1

There is an increased risk of obtaining a non representative sample

Question 2

A nurse researcher uses the technique of power analysis to do what?

Answer 2

To estimate the target sample size

Question 3

A nurse researcher would hesitate to use non probability sampling because

Answer 3

It will result in less generalizability than if probability sampling were used

Question 4

The nurse researcher selects matching as a technique in a research study. What does the technique of matching in a sampling strategy contribute to the research?

Answer 4

Increased equivalency of the characteristics of the study groups

Question 5

The nurse researcher can most accurately determine sample size by considering which of the following

Answer 5

The design of the study

Question 6

The researcher used word of mouth recruitment strategies to find potential participants that were known by enrolled participants. This is most accurately referred to as what?

Answer 6

Snowball sampling

Question 7

Which of the following is a type of probability sampling?

Answer 7

Stratified random

Question 8

What is the process of selecting representative units/subjects of a population for study in a research investigation?

Answer 8

Sampling

Question 9

A nurse researcher is working with students experiencing test anxiety. Their nurse has the students take a test while she watches through a one way mirror. What does this approach incorporate?

Answer 9

Observation and concealment

Question 10

A nurse researcher would choose physiologic data collection methods for which reason?

Answer 10

Data collected is sensitive and specific to the physiologic process being investigated

Question 11

During a research project, the researcher notes that the subject completes each assigned task with a much higher level of performance than he would normally exhibit. How should a nurse researcher most accurately describe this change in the subjects behavior that is due to reacting to participating in a research study?

Answer 11

Social desirability

Question 12

The training of data collectors to adhere strictly to a standard protocol for collecting data will affect the findings of the study by doing what?

Answer 12

Increasing consistency in data collection

Question 13

What advantage is shared by both interview and questionnaire self report data collection methods?

Answer 13

Both seek to understand the attitudes, beliefs, and feelings of participants

Question 14

What is the nurse researchers primary concern in data collection for research?

Answer 14

Objectivity and consistency in data collection

Question 15

“Are the items appropriately close ended or open ended?” Refers to which data collection method?

Answer 15

Self report measures

Question 16

An instrument that repeatedly and consistently obtains the same results has which of the following?

Answer 16

Reliability

Question 17

When the validity of an instrument is determined, the nurse researcher accesses what?

Answer 17

Stability

Question 18

Compared with a quasi-experimental design, which of these characteristics should a nurse expect to see only in a true experimental design?

Answer 18

Random assignment

Question 19

Control is important in an experimental research study for which of these reasons?

Answer 19

It introduces one or more constants into the experimental situation

Question 20

In a true experimental study which of the following describes the control group?

Answer 20

Receives the placebo treatment or usual treatment

Question 21

Randomization strengthens an experimental study in which of these ways

Answer 21

It decreases the possibility that extraneous variables explain the study results

Question 22

The experimental treatment initiated by a researcher can be described as

Answer 22

Independent variable

Question 23

Which action would increase the control of an experimental study?

Answer 23

Establishing strict criteria for subject selection

Question 24

Which of the following represents a weakness in the quasi-experimental research design, as compared to an experimental research design?

Answer 24

Weaker evidence for a cause and effect relationship between variables

Question 25

A nurse researcher will choose to use a prospective developmental study design to do what?

Answer 25

Allow exploration of the changing nature of relationships between variables over time

Question 26

What is the first question that should be asked in determining whether a cross sectional design versus a longitudinal design should be used in a quantitative study?

Answer 26

What is the nature of the problem being studied

Question 27

A nurse researcher would choose to use a correlational study of multiple variables for which purpose?

Answer 27

To test whether one variable causes another variable

Question 28

How does an experimental research design differ from a non experimental research design?

Answer 28

Nonexperimental designs attempt to test relationships among variables and experimental designs attempt to test cause and effect relationships

Question 29

What threat to internal validity is most closely associated with a longitudinal design?

Answer 29

Mortality effects

Question 30

Which of the following types of developmental studies collects data at only one point in time?

Answer 30

Cross sectional

Question 31

Which of the following is considered to be a nonexperimental developmental study?

Answer 31

Cross sectional

Question 32

Which of the following is a disadvantage to using a survey study design?

Answer 32

Information collected is relatively superficial

Question 33

Why would a nurse researcher choose to use a correlational design for a nonexperimental study?

Answer 33

It represents an efficient method of collecting a large amount of data about a problem.