,NR 505 Final Exam Advanced Research Methods I Questions And
Answers 2026/2027 Chamberlain
1. In a pragmatic randomized controlled trial, the researchers found that the
intention-to-treat analysis showed no significant difference between the
intervention and control groups, but a per-protocol analysis showed a
significant benefit. Which interpretation is most methodologically sound?
A) The intervention is effective when actually received, so it should be
adopted.
B) The intention-to-treat analysis is the primary analysis; the per-protocol
result may reflect selection bias.
C) The per-protocol analysis should be reported as the main finding because
it shows efficacy.
D) The trial is negative, and no further analysis is valid.
**Correct Answer:** B) The intention-to-treat analysis is the primary analysis;
the per-protocol result may reflect selection bias.
**Rationale:** Intention-to-treat (ITT) preserves randomization and is the
primary analysis for effectiveness. Per-protocol analysis excludes non-
adherent participants, which can introduce bias and overestimate the effect.
Therefore, the ITT null result is the more valid conclusion.
2. A study reports a hazard ratio of 1.5 (95% CI 1.1-2.0) for a composite
outcome. Which statement is correct?
A) The risk of the outcome is 50% higher in the exposed group compared to
the unexposed group.
B) The relative risk reduction is 50%.
C) The absolute risk increase is 50%.
D) The number needed to treat is 2.
,**Correct Answer:** A) The risk of the outcome is 50% higher in the exposed
group compared to the unexposed group.
**Rationale:** A hazard ratio of 1.5 indicates a 50% higher risk of the
outcome in the exposed group compared to the unexposed group.
3. A nurse researcher is developing a PICOT question. Which component of
PICOT addresses the specific group of individuals being studied?
A) Intervention
B) Comparison
C) Population
D) Outcome
**Correct Answer:** C) Population
**Rationale:** The "P" in PICOT stands for Population (or Patient/Problem),
which describes the specific group of individuals of interest. The "I" is the
Intervention, "C" is the Comparison, "O" is the Outcome, and "T" is the Time
frame.
4. A researcher is conducting a systematic review. According to the hierarchy
of evidence, which of the following represents the highest level of evidence?
A) Case-control study
B) Randomized controlled trial
C) Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
D) Expert opinion
**Correct Answer:** C) Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
, **Rationale:** Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized
controlled trials represent the highest level of evidence in the evidence
hierarchy. They synthesize findings from multiple high-quality studies,
minimizing bias and increasing statistical power.
5. Which study design provides the strongest evidence for establishing
causality in clinical research?
A) Case-control study
B) Cohort study
C) Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
D) Cross-sectional study
**Correct Answer:** C) Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
**Rationale:** The RCT is considered the gold standard for establishing
causality because it involves random assignment to intervention and control
groups, which minimizes bias and confounding. RCTs provide the strongest
evidence for cause-and-effect relationships.
6. A nurse practitioner is appraising a research study. The practitioner notes
that the study used a large, randomly selected sample. This characteristic
enhances the study's:
A) Internal validity
B) External validity
C) Reliability
D) Statistical power
**Correct Answer:** B) External validity
Answers 2026/2027 Chamberlain
1. In a pragmatic randomized controlled trial, the researchers found that the
intention-to-treat analysis showed no significant difference between the
intervention and control groups, but a per-protocol analysis showed a
significant benefit. Which interpretation is most methodologically sound?
A) The intervention is effective when actually received, so it should be
adopted.
B) The intention-to-treat analysis is the primary analysis; the per-protocol
result may reflect selection bias.
C) The per-protocol analysis should be reported as the main finding because
it shows efficacy.
D) The trial is negative, and no further analysis is valid.
**Correct Answer:** B) The intention-to-treat analysis is the primary analysis;
the per-protocol result may reflect selection bias.
**Rationale:** Intention-to-treat (ITT) preserves randomization and is the
primary analysis for effectiveness. Per-protocol analysis excludes non-
adherent participants, which can introduce bias and overestimate the effect.
Therefore, the ITT null result is the more valid conclusion.
2. A study reports a hazard ratio of 1.5 (95% CI 1.1-2.0) for a composite
outcome. Which statement is correct?
A) The risk of the outcome is 50% higher in the exposed group compared to
the unexposed group.
B) The relative risk reduction is 50%.
C) The absolute risk increase is 50%.
D) The number needed to treat is 2.
,**Correct Answer:** A) The risk of the outcome is 50% higher in the exposed
group compared to the unexposed group.
**Rationale:** A hazard ratio of 1.5 indicates a 50% higher risk of the
outcome in the exposed group compared to the unexposed group.
3. A nurse researcher is developing a PICOT question. Which component of
PICOT addresses the specific group of individuals being studied?
A) Intervention
B) Comparison
C) Population
D) Outcome
**Correct Answer:** C) Population
**Rationale:** The "P" in PICOT stands for Population (or Patient/Problem),
which describes the specific group of individuals of interest. The "I" is the
Intervention, "C" is the Comparison, "O" is the Outcome, and "T" is the Time
frame.
4. A researcher is conducting a systematic review. According to the hierarchy
of evidence, which of the following represents the highest level of evidence?
A) Case-control study
B) Randomized controlled trial
C) Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
D) Expert opinion
**Correct Answer:** C) Systematic review of randomized controlled trials
, **Rationale:** Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized
controlled trials represent the highest level of evidence in the evidence
hierarchy. They synthesize findings from multiple high-quality studies,
minimizing bias and increasing statistical power.
5. Which study design provides the strongest evidence for establishing
causality in clinical research?
A) Case-control study
B) Cohort study
C) Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
D) Cross-sectional study
**Correct Answer:** C) Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
**Rationale:** The RCT is considered the gold standard for establishing
causality because it involves random assignment to intervention and control
groups, which minimizes bias and confounding. RCTs provide the strongest
evidence for cause-and-effect relationships.
6. A nurse practitioner is appraising a research study. The practitioner notes
that the study used a large, randomly selected sample. This characteristic
enhances the study's:
A) Internal validity
B) External validity
C) Reliability
D) Statistical power
**Correct Answer:** B) External validity
