NR 505 FINAL EXAM – ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS
100 QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST STUDY
GUIDE (2026) CHAMBERLAIN
1. Which definition best describes evidence-based practice in nursing?
A) Integrating best research evidence with clinical expertise and
patient preferences
B) Replacing all clinical expertise with research protocols
C) Conducting original research for every patient encounter
D) Basing decisions solely on provider experience
Correct Answer: A) Integrating best research evidence with clinical
expertise and patient preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based practice combines the best available research
evidence, clinician expertise, and patient values to guide decisions. It does
not replace expertise with protocols or require original research for every
encounter. Using only provider experience ignores research evidence and
patient preferences.
2. The PICOT format includes which set of components?
A) Problem, Intervention, Comparison, Observation, Testing
B) Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Time
C) Population, Independent variable, Control, Outcome, Treatment
D) Problem, Independent variable, Comparison, Outcome, Time
Correct Answer: B) Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Time
,Rationale: PICOT stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, and Time. This structured format helps clinicians develop
focused clinical questions and guide literature searches. The other options
use incorrect terms such as problem, observation, testing, or independent
variable.
3. According to the evidence hierarchy, which source provides the highest
level of evidence?
A) A well-designed cohort study
B) A single randomized controlled trial
C) A systematic review or meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
D) Expert opinion from a panel
Correct Answer: C) A systematic review or meta-analysis of randomized
controlled trials
Rationale: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized
controlled trials synthesize multiple high-quality studies, providing the
highest level of evidence. They are stronger than a single RCT, cohort
study, or expert opinion because they aggregate data and assess
consistency across studies.
4. In a randomized controlled trial, which procedure most effectively
minimizes selection bias?
A) Assigning participants by order of enrollment
B) Using a convenience sample
C) Letting researchers choose group assignment
D) Centralized web-based randomization with allocation concealment
,Correct Answer: D) Centralized web-based randomization with allocation
concealment
Rationale: Centralized web-based randomization with allocation concealment
prevents enrollment personnel from knowing or influencing upcoming group
assignments. This reduces selection bias. Alternating assignment,
convenience sampling, and researcher choice can introduce predictable or
systematic group differences.
5. A researcher reports an I² statistic of 78% in a meta-analysis. This
value indicates:
A) A high percentage of variability in effect estimates is due to
heterogeneity rather than chance
B) The studies are all methodologically flawed
C) The result is highly statistically significant
D) The meta-analysis should never be interpreted
Correct Answer: A) A high percentage of variability in effect estimates is due to
heterogeneity rather than chance
Rationale: The I² statistic measures the proportion of total variation across
study effect estimates that is due to heterogeneity rather than sampling
error. An I² of 78% suggests substantial heterogeneity. It does not
measure flaw, statistical significance, or invalidate the analysis by itself.
6. Which qualitative research approach is most appropriate for
understanding the lived experience of a phenomenon?
A) Grounded theory
, B) Phenomenology
C) Ethnography
D) Case study
Correct Answer: B) Phenomenology
Rationale: Phenomenology seeks to understand the lived experience and
meaning of a phenomenon from participants' perspectives. Grounded
theory develops theory from data. Ethnography studies culture, and case
study examines a bounded case. Phenomenology focuses on subjective
lived experience.
7. The primary purpose of formulating a PICOT question is to:
A) Guarantee a statistically significant result
B) Eliminate the need for critical appraisal
C) Guide the literature search and identify relevant evidence
D) Reduce the number of patients needed for a study
Correct Answer: C) Guide the literature search and identify relevant evidence
Rationale: A PICOT question provides a clear structure for searching
databases and identifying evidence. It does not guarantee significant
results, eliminate appraisal, or reduce sample size. The focused question
improves search efficiency and relevance.
8. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice model uses
which process?
100 QUESTIONS & CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST STUDY
GUIDE (2026) CHAMBERLAIN
1. Which definition best describes evidence-based practice in nursing?
A) Integrating best research evidence with clinical expertise and
patient preferences
B) Replacing all clinical expertise with research protocols
C) Conducting original research for every patient encounter
D) Basing decisions solely on provider experience
Correct Answer: A) Integrating best research evidence with clinical
expertise and patient preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based practice combines the best available research
evidence, clinician expertise, and patient values to guide decisions. It does
not replace expertise with protocols or require original research for every
encounter. Using only provider experience ignores research evidence and
patient preferences.
2. The PICOT format includes which set of components?
A) Problem, Intervention, Comparison, Observation, Testing
B) Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Time
C) Population, Independent variable, Control, Outcome, Treatment
D) Problem, Independent variable, Comparison, Outcome, Time
Correct Answer: B) Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Time
,Rationale: PICOT stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, and Time. This structured format helps clinicians develop
focused clinical questions and guide literature searches. The other options
use incorrect terms such as problem, observation, testing, or independent
variable.
3. According to the evidence hierarchy, which source provides the highest
level of evidence?
A) A well-designed cohort study
B) A single randomized controlled trial
C) A systematic review or meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
D) Expert opinion from a panel
Correct Answer: C) A systematic review or meta-analysis of randomized
controlled trials
Rationale: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized
controlled trials synthesize multiple high-quality studies, providing the
highest level of evidence. They are stronger than a single RCT, cohort
study, or expert opinion because they aggregate data and assess
consistency across studies.
4. In a randomized controlled trial, which procedure most effectively
minimizes selection bias?
A) Assigning participants by order of enrollment
B) Using a convenience sample
C) Letting researchers choose group assignment
D) Centralized web-based randomization with allocation concealment
,Correct Answer: D) Centralized web-based randomization with allocation
concealment
Rationale: Centralized web-based randomization with allocation concealment
prevents enrollment personnel from knowing or influencing upcoming group
assignments. This reduces selection bias. Alternating assignment,
convenience sampling, and researcher choice can introduce predictable or
systematic group differences.
5. A researcher reports an I² statistic of 78% in a meta-analysis. This
value indicates:
A) A high percentage of variability in effect estimates is due to
heterogeneity rather than chance
B) The studies are all methodologically flawed
C) The result is highly statistically significant
D) The meta-analysis should never be interpreted
Correct Answer: A) A high percentage of variability in effect estimates is due to
heterogeneity rather than chance
Rationale: The I² statistic measures the proportion of total variation across
study effect estimates that is due to heterogeneity rather than sampling
error. An I² of 78% suggests substantial heterogeneity. It does not
measure flaw, statistical significance, or invalidate the analysis by itself.
6. Which qualitative research approach is most appropriate for
understanding the lived experience of a phenomenon?
A) Grounded theory
, B) Phenomenology
C) Ethnography
D) Case study
Correct Answer: B) Phenomenology
Rationale: Phenomenology seeks to understand the lived experience and
meaning of a phenomenon from participants' perspectives. Grounded
theory develops theory from data. Ethnography studies culture, and case
study examines a bounded case. Phenomenology focuses on subjective
lived experience.
7. The primary purpose of formulating a PICOT question is to:
A) Guarantee a statistically significant result
B) Eliminate the need for critical appraisal
C) Guide the literature search and identify relevant evidence
D) Reduce the number of patients needed for a study
Correct Answer: C) Guide the literature search and identify relevant evidence
Rationale: A PICOT question provides a clear structure for searching
databases and identifying evidence. It does not guarantee significant
results, eliminate appraisal, or reduce sample size. The focused question
improves search efficiency and relevance.
8. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice model uses
which process?
