NR449 EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE (EBP) EXAM 2 (PDF) |
2026 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS + RATIONALES | STUDY
GUIDE | 100% CORRECT
1. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a literature review in the research
process?
A) To collect primary data from participants
B) To summarize and critically evaluate existing knowledge on a topic
C) To test a hypothesis using statistical analysis
D) To recruit participants for a study
Correct Answer: B) To summarize and critically evaluate existing knowledge on a topic
Rationale: A literature review synthesizes existing research to identify what is known and what
gaps remain. It provides the foundation for formulating a research question and designing a
study. It does not involve primary data collection or participant recruitment.
2. What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes quantitative research from qualitative
research?
A) Quantitative research uses small sample sizes for in-depth exploration
B) Quantitative research relies on numerical data and statistical analysis
C) Qualitative research focuses on measuring variables objectively
D) Qualitative research tests hypotheses using controlled experiments
Correct Answer: B) Quantitative research relies on numerical data and statistical analysis
Rationale: Quantitative research uses numerical data, statistical analysis, and objective
measurement to test hypotheses and generalize findings. Qualitative research explores subjective
experiences and meanings using narrative data.
3. In the research process, what is the FIRST step after identifying a research problem?
A) Collecting data from participants
B) Reviewing the literature
C) Analyzing the data
D) Communicating results
Correct Answer: B) Reviewing the literature
Rationale: The research process begins with identifying a problem, followed by reviewing the
literature to understand what is already known. This guides the refinement of the research
question and study design.
4. Which type of research design involves random assignment of participants to intervention and
control groups?
,A) Correlational study
B) Descriptive study
C) Randomized controlled trial
D) Qualitative phenomenology
Correct Answer: C) Randomized controlled trial
Rationale: Random assignment to intervention and control groups defines an RCT, the gold
standard for testing causal relationships because it minimizes bias. Correlational and descriptive
studies do not involve manipulation.
5. What is the null hypothesis in a research study?
A) The research question guiding the study
B) A statement of no difference or no relationship between variables
C) The expected outcome based on theory
D) The alternative hypothesis
Correct Answer: B) A statement of no difference or no relationship between variables
Rationale: The null hypothesis states that there is no difference between groups or no
relationship between variables. Researchers test whether data provide sufficient evidence to
reject the null hypothesis.
6. Which section of a research article describes the study design, sample, and data collection
procedures?
A) Introduction
B) Methods
C) Results
D) Discussion
Correct Answer: B) Methods
Rationale: The Methods section details the study design, sampling strategy, data collection
procedures, and analysis techniques. It allows readers to evaluate the validity and reproducibility
of the study.
7. A researcher is studying the relationship between hours of sleep and medication errors in
nurses without manipulating any variables. What type of study is this?
A) Experimental study
B) Quasi-experimental study
C) Correlational study
D) Phenomenological study
Correct Answer: C) Correlational study
Rationale: Correlational studies examine relationships between variables without researcher
manipulation. Experimental studies involve manipulation of an independent variable.
, 8. What is the primary purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
A) To conduct research studies on human subjects
B) To review research proposals to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects
C) To fund nursing research projects
D) To publish research findings
Correct Answer: B) To review research proposals to protect the rights and welfare of human
subjects
Rationale: An IRB reviews research proposals to ensure the protection of human subjects' rights
and welfare. It evaluates risks, benefits, informed consent processes, and protections for
vulnerable populations.
9. Which of the following is considered a vulnerable population in research?
A) Healthy adult volunteers
B) Prisoners
C) Nursing faculty
D) Hospital administrators
Correct Answer: B) Prisoners
Rationale: Prisoners are considered vulnerable due to potential coercion and limited autonomy.
Other vulnerable populations include children, pregnant women, and cognitively impaired
individuals.
10. What does the ethical principle of beneficence require in research?
A) Respecting participants' autonomous decisions
B) Maximizing benefits and minimizing harms to participants
C) Selecting participants fairly and equitably
D) Protecting participants' identifiable information
Correct Answer: B) Maximizing benefits and minimizing harms to participants
Rationale: Beneficence requires researchers to maximize potential benefits and minimize
potential harms. Respect for persons covers informed consent, and justice covers fair selection.
11. What is the difference between primary and secondary sources in research?
A) Primary sources are more reliable than secondary sources
B) Primary sources report original research; secondary sources summarize or synthesize multiple
studies
C) Secondary sources are peer-reviewed; primary sources are not
D) Primary sources are qualitative; secondary sources are quantitative
Correct Answer: B) Primary sources report original research; secondary sources summarize or
synthesize multiple studies
2026 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS + RATIONALES | STUDY
GUIDE | 100% CORRECT
1. Which of the following best describes the purpose of a literature review in the research
process?
A) To collect primary data from participants
B) To summarize and critically evaluate existing knowledge on a topic
C) To test a hypothesis using statistical analysis
D) To recruit participants for a study
Correct Answer: B) To summarize and critically evaluate existing knowledge on a topic
Rationale: A literature review synthesizes existing research to identify what is known and what
gaps remain. It provides the foundation for formulating a research question and designing a
study. It does not involve primary data collection or participant recruitment.
2. What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes quantitative research from qualitative
research?
A) Quantitative research uses small sample sizes for in-depth exploration
B) Quantitative research relies on numerical data and statistical analysis
C) Qualitative research focuses on measuring variables objectively
D) Qualitative research tests hypotheses using controlled experiments
Correct Answer: B) Quantitative research relies on numerical data and statistical analysis
Rationale: Quantitative research uses numerical data, statistical analysis, and objective
measurement to test hypotheses and generalize findings. Qualitative research explores subjective
experiences and meanings using narrative data.
3. In the research process, what is the FIRST step after identifying a research problem?
A) Collecting data from participants
B) Reviewing the literature
C) Analyzing the data
D) Communicating results
Correct Answer: B) Reviewing the literature
Rationale: The research process begins with identifying a problem, followed by reviewing the
literature to understand what is already known. This guides the refinement of the research
question and study design.
4. Which type of research design involves random assignment of participants to intervention and
control groups?
,A) Correlational study
B) Descriptive study
C) Randomized controlled trial
D) Qualitative phenomenology
Correct Answer: C) Randomized controlled trial
Rationale: Random assignment to intervention and control groups defines an RCT, the gold
standard for testing causal relationships because it minimizes bias. Correlational and descriptive
studies do not involve manipulation.
5. What is the null hypothesis in a research study?
A) The research question guiding the study
B) A statement of no difference or no relationship between variables
C) The expected outcome based on theory
D) The alternative hypothesis
Correct Answer: B) A statement of no difference or no relationship between variables
Rationale: The null hypothesis states that there is no difference between groups or no
relationship between variables. Researchers test whether data provide sufficient evidence to
reject the null hypothesis.
6. Which section of a research article describes the study design, sample, and data collection
procedures?
A) Introduction
B) Methods
C) Results
D) Discussion
Correct Answer: B) Methods
Rationale: The Methods section details the study design, sampling strategy, data collection
procedures, and analysis techniques. It allows readers to evaluate the validity and reproducibility
of the study.
7. A researcher is studying the relationship between hours of sleep and medication errors in
nurses without manipulating any variables. What type of study is this?
A) Experimental study
B) Quasi-experimental study
C) Correlational study
D) Phenomenological study
Correct Answer: C) Correlational study
Rationale: Correlational studies examine relationships between variables without researcher
manipulation. Experimental studies involve manipulation of an independent variable.
, 8. What is the primary purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
A) To conduct research studies on human subjects
B) To review research proposals to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects
C) To fund nursing research projects
D) To publish research findings
Correct Answer: B) To review research proposals to protect the rights and welfare of human
subjects
Rationale: An IRB reviews research proposals to ensure the protection of human subjects' rights
and welfare. It evaluates risks, benefits, informed consent processes, and protections for
vulnerable populations.
9. Which of the following is considered a vulnerable population in research?
A) Healthy adult volunteers
B) Prisoners
C) Nursing faculty
D) Hospital administrators
Correct Answer: B) Prisoners
Rationale: Prisoners are considered vulnerable due to potential coercion and limited autonomy.
Other vulnerable populations include children, pregnant women, and cognitively impaired
individuals.
10. What does the ethical principle of beneficence require in research?
A) Respecting participants' autonomous decisions
B) Maximizing benefits and minimizing harms to participants
C) Selecting participants fairly and equitably
D) Protecting participants' identifiable information
Correct Answer: B) Maximizing benefits and minimizing harms to participants
Rationale: Beneficence requires researchers to maximize potential benefits and minimize
potential harms. Respect for persons covers informed consent, and justice covers fair selection.
11. What is the difference between primary and secondary sources in research?
A) Primary sources are more reliable than secondary sources
B) Primary sources report original research; secondary sources summarize or synthesize multiple
studies
C) Secondary sources are peer-reviewed; primary sources are not
D) Primary sources are qualitative; secondary sources are quantitative
Correct Answer: B) Primary sources report original research; secondary sources summarize or
synthesize multiple studies
