NSG 3160: NURSING RESEARCH AND
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS
& VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026/2027
UPDATE
1. A nurse researcher is designing a study to determine the effectiveness of a new pain
management protocol. Which design provides the strongest evidence for cause-and-effect
relationships?
A. Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
B. Correlational research
C. Quasi-experimental design
D. Phenomenological study
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) are considered the gold
standard for experimental research because they use randomization, control groups, and
manipulation to establish causality.
2. In a study measuring the effect of sleep deprivation on nurse performance, what is the
independent variable?
A. Nurse performance
,B. The time of day
C. The hospital setting
D. Sleep deprivation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The independent variable is the intervention or condition being
manipulated or observed for its effect on the outcome.
3. Which statistical test would a researcher use to compare the mean scores of two
independent groups on a normally distributed interval-level variable?
A. Chi-square test
B. Independent t-test
C. Pearson’s r
D. ANOVA
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: An independent t-test is used to compare the means of two
independent groups when the dependent variable is at the interval or ratio level.
4. A researcher is exploring the ‘lived experience’ of patients surviving a sudden cardiac
arrest. Which qualitative methodology is most appropriate?
A. Grounded Theory
B. Ethnography
, C. Case Study
D. Phenomenology
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Phenomenology focuses on the lived experience and meaning of
a specific phenomenon from the perspective of the participants.
5. Which ethical principle from the Belmont Report ensures that the benefits of research are
maximized while minimizing potential harms to participants?
A. Beneficence
B. Respect for Persons
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Beneficence is the ethical principle that requires researchers to
minimize harm and maximize benefits for study participants.
6. A researcher reports a p-value of 0.02. If the alpha level was set at 0.05, what should the
researcher conclude?
A. The null hypothesis should be rejected.
B. The results are not statistically significant.
C. A Type II error has occurred.
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS
& VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026/2027
UPDATE
1. A nurse researcher is designing a study to determine the effectiveness of a new pain
management protocol. Which design provides the strongest evidence for cause-and-effect
relationships?
A. Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
B. Correlational research
C. Quasi-experimental design
D. Phenomenological study
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) are considered the gold
standard for experimental research because they use randomization, control groups, and
manipulation to establish causality.
2. In a study measuring the effect of sleep deprivation on nurse performance, what is the
independent variable?
A. Nurse performance
,B. The time of day
C. The hospital setting
D. Sleep deprivation
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The independent variable is the intervention or condition being
manipulated or observed for its effect on the outcome.
3. Which statistical test would a researcher use to compare the mean scores of two
independent groups on a normally distributed interval-level variable?
A. Chi-square test
B. Independent t-test
C. Pearson’s r
D. ANOVA
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: An independent t-test is used to compare the means of two
independent groups when the dependent variable is at the interval or ratio level.
4. A researcher is exploring the ‘lived experience’ of patients surviving a sudden cardiac
arrest. Which qualitative methodology is most appropriate?
A. Grounded Theory
B. Ethnography
, C. Case Study
D. Phenomenology
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Phenomenology focuses on the lived experience and meaning of
a specific phenomenon from the perspective of the participants.
5. Which ethical principle from the Belmont Report ensures that the benefits of research are
maximized while minimizing potential harms to participants?
A. Beneficence
B. Respect for Persons
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Beneficence is the ethical principle that requires researchers to
minimize harm and maximize benefits for study participants.
6. A researcher reports a p-value of 0.02. If the alpha level was set at 0.05, what should the
researcher conclude?
A. The null hypothesis should be rejected.
B. The results are not statistically significant.
C. A Type II error has occurred.
