WGU D118 ADVANCED NURSING
RESEARCH COMPREHENSIVE FINAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
1. Which component of a PICO question describes the specific result the researcher wants to
achieve?
A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Outcome
D. Comparison
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In the PICO(T) framework, ‘O’ stands for Outcome, which
represents the clinical effects or results that are being measured.
2. A researcher is studying the lived experiences of mothers who have lost a child to sudden
infant death syndrome. Which qualitative approach is most appropriate?
A. Ethnography
B. Grounded Theory
C. Phenomenology
,D. Case Study
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Phenomenology focuses on describing the ‘lived experience’ of
individuals regarding a specific phenomenon.
3. In a quantitative study, a researcher sets the alpha level at 0.05. The calculated p-value is
0.02. What is the correct statistical conclusion?
A. Accept the null hypothesis
B. The result is not statistically significant
C. Reject the null hypothesis
D. Increase the sample size
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: When the p-value is less than or equal to the alpha level (p <
0.05), the researcher rejects the null hypothesis, indicating statistical significance.
4. Which level of evidence is considered the highest in the traditional hierarchy of evidence?
A. Case-control studies
B. Systematic reviews or meta-analyses
C. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
D. Expert opinion
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of all relevant RCTs are at
the top of the evidence hierarchy due to their rigorous synthesis of multiple studies.
5. What is the primary purpose of randomization in a clinical trial?
A. To ensure participants remain blinded
B. To make the sample more representative of the population
C. To increase the power of the study
D. To reduce the risk of selection bias
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Randomization helps ensure that groups are comparable at the
start of the study, thereby reducing selection bias.
6. A study measures the effect of a new blood pressure medication. The 95% confidence
interval for the mean reduction in systolic blood pressure is [8.5, 12.2]. What does this
indicate?
A. The null hypothesis should be accepted
B. 95% of the participants had a reduction between 8.5 and 12.2
C. The study is not statistically significant because the interval is narrow
D. There is a 95% chance the true population mean falls between 8.5 and 12.2
Answer: D
RESEARCH COMPREHENSIVE FINAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
1. Which component of a PICO question describes the specific result the researcher wants to
achieve?
A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Outcome
D. Comparison
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In the PICO(T) framework, ‘O’ stands for Outcome, which
represents the clinical effects or results that are being measured.
2. A researcher is studying the lived experiences of mothers who have lost a child to sudden
infant death syndrome. Which qualitative approach is most appropriate?
A. Ethnography
B. Grounded Theory
C. Phenomenology
,D. Case Study
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Phenomenology focuses on describing the ‘lived experience’ of
individuals regarding a specific phenomenon.
3. In a quantitative study, a researcher sets the alpha level at 0.05. The calculated p-value is
0.02. What is the correct statistical conclusion?
A. Accept the null hypothesis
B. The result is not statistically significant
C. Reject the null hypothesis
D. Increase the sample size
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: When the p-value is less than or equal to the alpha level (p <
0.05), the researcher rejects the null hypothesis, indicating statistical significance.
4. Which level of evidence is considered the highest in the traditional hierarchy of evidence?
A. Case-control studies
B. Systematic reviews or meta-analyses
C. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
D. Expert opinion
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of all relevant RCTs are at
the top of the evidence hierarchy due to their rigorous synthesis of multiple studies.
5. What is the primary purpose of randomization in a clinical trial?
A. To ensure participants remain blinded
B. To make the sample more representative of the population
C. To increase the power of the study
D. To reduce the risk of selection bias
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Randomization helps ensure that groups are comparable at the
start of the study, thereby reducing selection bias.
6. A study measures the effect of a new blood pressure medication. The 95% confidence
interval for the mean reduction in systolic blood pressure is [8.5, 12.2]. What does this
indicate?
A. The null hypothesis should be accepted
B. 95% of the participants had a reduction between 8.5 and 12.2
C. The study is not statistically significant because the interval is narrow
D. There is a 95% chance the true population mean falls between 8.5 and 12.2
Answer: D
