Theoretical Framework Flashcards
Which of the following definitions of paradigm is correct?
a. A way of linking the naturalistic world to empirical thought.
b. Philosophical beliefs that influence the way people in a society think about the
world.
c. A model that captures the interaction of specific variables within a known concept.
d. A concept that encompasses the integration of “wholeness,” spirituality, and
personal worth into scientific thought.
ANS: B
B Philosophical beliefs that influence the way people in a society think about the
world defines the term paradigm.
Which of the following is the correct definition of theory?
a. The assumptions and beliefs of the “worldview” of the researcher.
b. A set of interrelated concepts that provides a systematic view of a phenomenon.
c. The specific and measurable premise or assumption based on which the rationale
for research direction is established.
d. A researcher’s “best guess” of the expected direction of the relationship between
independent and dependent variables.
ANS: B
B Theory is defined as a set of interrelated concepts that provides a systematic
view of a phenomenon.
During a class examination, the course instructor notes that a student who usually does poorly
in class tests has shaking hands, knocks over a bottle of water, breaks the points of two
pencils, makes many erasures, and wrinkles her computer score sheet. The instructor
concludes that the student has test anxiety. What type of reasoning is demonstrated by the
instructor?
a. Inductive reasoning
b. Deductive reasoning
c. Theoretical reasoning
d. Faulty reasoning
ANS: A
A Inductive reasoning involves using the details of an experience to create a
general picture.
What is the major difference between inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning?
a. Inductive reasoning is theory driven, and deductive reasoning is independent of
theory.
b. Deductive reasoning forms the basis for qualitative research, and inductive
reasoning forms the basis for quantitative research.
c. Deductive reasoning is an unconscious approach in which intuition, rather than
logical, is the key feature, whereas inductive reasoning encompasses a more
logical and systematic approach to problem identification.
d. Inductive reasoning starts with observed details that lead to a general structure or
picture, whereas deductive reasoning begins with a structure or picture that guides
the search for associated details.
ANS: D
D Inductive reasoning moves from specific to general, while deductive reasoning
moves from general to specific
How are theory and practice interrelated?
a. Practice is the operational definition of theory.
b. Practice provides the opportunity to test theory.
c. Theory provides the evidence on which practice is based.
d. Theory generates questions that are used to refine practice.
ANS: B
B Practice environments provide settings to test theory.
Which of the following research questions reflects an inductive approach to scientific inquiry?
a. Is there a difference in infection rates among patients with neutropenia who eat
from dishes cleaned with automatic dishwashers as compared with patients with
neutropenia who eat from dishes that are hand washed?
b. Do older adults residing in assisted-living settings have more social interaction
than do older adults residing in their own homes?
c. What is the relationship between self-esteem and loneliness in recently widowed
women over 60?
d. What is the experience of parents when their child is born more than 10 weeks
preterm?
ANS: D
D Preterm delivery is a specific clinical situation. The study seeks to broaden the
picture of that phenomenon by exploring parental experience in preterm
delivery.
In an article reporting the results of a qualitative study that used inductive reasoning methods,
where is the conceptual framework usually presented?
a. Introduction
b. Methods
c. Statistical Analysis
d. Discussion
ANS: D
D The conceptual model may be implicit in a qualitative study. The discussion of
the findings may reveal that study participants experienced a phenomenon that is
reflected within a particular conceptual model.
In an article reporting the results of a quantitative study that used deductive reasoning
methods, where is the conceptual framework usually presented?
a. Introduction
b. Methods
c. Statistical analysis
d. Discussion
ANS: A
A Deductive reasoning involves moving from the broader theory to more specific
details. The conceptual framework would be found in the Introduction, as it
serves as a guide for the research study.
Which of the following sequences represents movement from a greater level of abstraction to
a more concrete relationship between concepts?
a. Conceptual model, theory, experimental condition
b. Theory, hypothesis, conceptual model
c. Hypothesis, conceptual model, theory
d. Empirical indicator, theory, conceptual model
ANS: A
A Abstractions begin with an abstract idea that is symbolized.
How is a model related to a concept or concepts?
a. A model tests conceptual theories.
b. A concept defines the purpose of a model.
c. A model demonstrates the relationships among or between concepts.
d. Concepts generate the theoretical basis for knowledge depicted in a model.
ANS: C
C A model demonstrates relationships among concepts
What is the purpose of a conceptual model?
a. To move concepts from a concrete frame of reference to a more abstract one
b. To move concepts from an abstract frame of reference to a more concrete one
c. To reduce the abstraction of an operational definition
d. To allow testing of grand theories
ANS: B
B A conceptual model presents the abstract concept in a visual, interrelated way.
A theory would be described as
a. a prediction of the outcomes of a study.
b. an image that represents an abstract idea.
c. a set of interrelated concepts that can explain a phenomenon.
d. a general framework to identify factors related to a phenomenon
ANS: C
C A theory is described as a “set of interrelated concepts that serves the purpose of
explaining or predicting phenomena”
When critiquing a research article, what is the most important issue the reader should consider
about the concepts of the study?
a. The theoretical interrelatedness of the concepts
b. Whether the study is qualitative or quantitative in nature
c. The specific meanings the researcher has ascribed to the study concepts
d. An in-depth understanding of the grand theory that underpins the study concepts
ANS: C
C The reader wants to see a logical fit between operational and conceptual
definitions. It is important to understand the meaning that the researcher ascribes
to concepts, as meanings of concepts can vary from person to person.
What is commonly referred to as scientific knowledge?
a. Ethical
b. Personal
c. Aesthetic
d. Empirical
ANS: D
D Gain empirical knowledge from research and is often referred to as scientific
knowledge.
How are theoretical and conceptual frameworks different?
a. Conceptual frameworks are more appropriate for qualitative studies, and
theoretical frameworks are more appropriate for quantitative studies.
b. Theoretical frameworks are individually developed by researchers, and conceptual
frameworks already exist.
c. Conceptual frameworks are individually developed by researchers, and theoretical
frameworks already exist.
d. Theoretical frameworks generate theory, whereas conceptual frameworks test
theory.
ANS: C
C. Conceptual frameworks are a synthesis or integration of existing concepts on a
specific topic, whereas theoretical frameworks are based on the research and
theory development of other researchers and theorists already exist
