WGU D514 FINAL EXAM PREP 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which level of evidence is considered the ‘gold standard’ in the hierarchy of evidence for
intervention studies?
A. Case-control studies
B. Qualitative phenomenological studies
C. Expert opinion and consensus reports
D. Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Systematic reviews of RCTs are at the top of the evidence
hierarchy because they synthesize the results of multiple high-quality experimental
studies, minimizing bias.
2. In a PICOT question, what does the ‘T’ represent?
A. Treatment
B. Trial
C. Timeframe
,D. Testing
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: PICOT stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, and Timeframe.
3. A researcher is studying the effect of a new wound dressing on healing time. In this study,
‘healing time’ is the:
A. Independent variable
B. Confounding variable
C. Extraneous variable
D. Dependent variable
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The dependent variable is the outcome being measured, which
depends on the manipulation of the independent variable (the dressing).
4. Which ethical principle from the Belmont Report requires researchers to ‘do no harm’ and
maximize possible benefits?
A. Justice
B. Respect for Persons
C. Beneficence
D. Autonomy
, Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Beneficence refers to the obligation of researchers to minimize
risks and maximize benefits to participants.
5. A study reports a p-value of 0.02. If the alpha level was set at 0.05, what should the
researcher conclude?
A. Fail to reject the null hypothesis; the results are not significant.
B. Reject the null hypothesis; the results are statistically significant.
C. The results are due to chance alone.
D. The study has a high probability of a Type II error.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: If the p-value is less than the alpha level (0.02 < 0.05), the
researcher rejects the null hypothesis, indicating statistical significance.
6. Which type of qualitative research focuses on the lived experience of individuals?
A. Grounded Theory
B. Ethnography
C. Phenomenology
D. Case Study
Answer: C
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which level of evidence is considered the ‘gold standard’ in the hierarchy of evidence for
intervention studies?
A. Case-control studies
B. Qualitative phenomenological studies
C. Expert opinion and consensus reports
D. Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Systematic reviews of RCTs are at the top of the evidence
hierarchy because they synthesize the results of multiple high-quality experimental
studies, minimizing bias.
2. In a PICOT question, what does the ‘T’ represent?
A. Treatment
B. Trial
C. Timeframe
,D. Testing
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: PICOT stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, and Timeframe.
3. A researcher is studying the effect of a new wound dressing on healing time. In this study,
‘healing time’ is the:
A. Independent variable
B. Confounding variable
C. Extraneous variable
D. Dependent variable
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The dependent variable is the outcome being measured, which
depends on the manipulation of the independent variable (the dressing).
4. Which ethical principle from the Belmont Report requires researchers to ‘do no harm’ and
maximize possible benefits?
A. Justice
B. Respect for Persons
C. Beneficence
D. Autonomy
, Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Beneficence refers to the obligation of researchers to minimize
risks and maximize benefits to participants.
5. A study reports a p-value of 0.02. If the alpha level was set at 0.05, what should the
researcher conclude?
A. Fail to reject the null hypothesis; the results are not significant.
B. Reject the null hypothesis; the results are statistically significant.
C. The results are due to chance alone.
D. The study has a high probability of a Type II error.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: If the p-value is less than the alpha level (0.02 < 0.05), the
researcher rejects the null hypothesis, indicating statistical significance.
6. Which type of qualitative research focuses on the lived experience of individuals?
A. Grounded Theory
B. Ethnography
C. Phenomenology
D. Case Study
Answer: C
