Chapter 16: Quantitative Data Analysis
LoBiondo-Wood: Nursing Research in Canada, 4th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse researcher is interested in estimating how reliably data can be used to
generalize the findings of a study. In order for this to occur, the researcher should use
what?
a. Inferential statistics
b. Descriptive statistics
c. Nonparametric statistics
d. Mathematical statistics
ANS: A
Feedback
A. Inferential statistics are used by researchers to make predictions and generalize
findings based on data.
B. Descriptive statistics are used to describe and summarize data by reducing data to
manageable proportions.
C. Nonparametric statistics are a type of inferential statistics.
D. The term mathematical statistics is a circular answer.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
,2. The nurse researcher is interested in describing and summarizing the characteristics of the
sample used in the research study. In order for this to occur, the researcher should use
what?
a. Inferential statistics
b. Descriptive statistics
c. Nonparametric statistics
d. Mathematical statistics
ANS: B
Feedback
A. Inferential statistics are used by researchers to make predictions and generalize
finding based on data.
B. Descriptive statistics are used to describe and summarize data by reducing data to
manageable proportions.
C. Nonparametric statistics are a type of inferential statistics.
D. The term mathematical statistics is a circular answer.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. A nurse researcher would opt to use measures of central tendency in which case?
a. When there is a need to describe how reliably the findings can be generalized
b. When there is a need to describe how much dispersion is in the sample
c. When there is a need to describe the accuracy of predictions made
d. When there is a need to describe the average member of the sample
ANS: D
, Feedback
A. This answer describes a function of inferential statistics.
B. This answer describes measures of variability.
C. This answer is incorrect.
D. Measures of central tendency yield a single number that describes the middle of
the group and summarizes the members of a sample.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge (Comprehension)
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. The nurse researcher is interested in describing the assignment of numbers to objects or
events. This is best achieved in which way?
a. Through use of prediction
b. Through use of dispersion
c. Through use of variability
d. Through use of measurement
ANS: D
Feedback
A. This answer does not fit the definition provided.
B. This answer represents a measure of variability description.
C. This answer represents a measure of dispersion (variability) description.
D. This answer fits the definition provided.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
LoBiondo-Wood: Nursing Research in Canada, 4th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse researcher is interested in estimating how reliably data can be used to
generalize the findings of a study. In order for this to occur, the researcher should use
what?
a. Inferential statistics
b. Descriptive statistics
c. Nonparametric statistics
d. Mathematical statistics
ANS: A
Feedback
A. Inferential statistics are used by researchers to make predictions and generalize
findings based on data.
B. Descriptive statistics are used to describe and summarize data by reducing data to
manageable proportions.
C. Nonparametric statistics are a type of inferential statistics.
D. The term mathematical statistics is a circular answer.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
,2. The nurse researcher is interested in describing and summarizing the characteristics of the
sample used in the research study. In order for this to occur, the researcher should use
what?
a. Inferential statistics
b. Descriptive statistics
c. Nonparametric statistics
d. Mathematical statistics
ANS: B
Feedback
A. Inferential statistics are used by researchers to make predictions and generalize
finding based on data.
B. Descriptive statistics are used to describe and summarize data by reducing data to
manageable proportions.
C. Nonparametric statistics are a type of inferential statistics.
D. The term mathematical statistics is a circular answer.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. A nurse researcher would opt to use measures of central tendency in which case?
a. When there is a need to describe how reliably the findings can be generalized
b. When there is a need to describe how much dispersion is in the sample
c. When there is a need to describe the accuracy of predictions made
d. When there is a need to describe the average member of the sample
ANS: D
, Feedback
A. This answer describes a function of inferential statistics.
B. This answer describes measures of variability.
C. This answer is incorrect.
D. Measures of central tendency yield a single number that describes the middle of
the group and summarizes the members of a sample.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge (Comprehension)
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. The nurse researcher is interested in describing the assignment of numbers to objects or
events. This is best achieved in which way?
a. Through use of prediction
b. Through use of dispersion
c. Through use of variability
d. Through use of measurement
ANS: D
Feedback
A. This answer does not fit the definition provided.
B. This answer represents a measure of variability description.
C. This answer represents a measure of dispersion (variability) description.
D. This answer fits the definition provided.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
