BSN3A Nursing Research Exam Practice Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus Explained Rationales | 2026
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1. Nursing research is best defined as:
A) A process of gathering information for administrative purposes
B) A systematic, rigorous, and logical inquiry to develop knowledge about nursing phenomena
C) An informal method of problem-solving
D) A way of documenting clinical practice
Answer B: A systematic, rigorous, and logical inquiry to develop knowledge about nursing
phenomena
Rationale: Nursing research generates knowledge through systematic investigation.
2. The first nursing researcher to collect data on patient outcomes was:
A) Virginia Henderson
B) Florence Nightingale
C) Dorothea Orem
D) Hildegard Peplau
Answer B: Florence Nightingale
Rationale: Nightingale used statistical data to improve sanitation and patient outcomes during the Crimean
War.
3. The two major paradigms in nursing research are:
A) Positivism and Constructivism
B) Quantitative and Qualitative
C) Deductive and Inductive
D) Empirical and Theoretical
Answer A: Positivism and Constructivism
Rationale: Positivism underpins quantitative research; constructivism underpins qualitative research.
,4. Which research paradigm assumes that reality is objective and can be measured?
A) Positivism
B) Constructivism
C) Critical theory
D) Pragmatism
Answer A: Positivism
Rationale: Positivism assumes an objective, measurable reality that exists independent of human
perception.
5. Which research paradigm assumes that reality is subjective and socially constructed?
A) Positivism
B) Constructivism
C) Critical theory
D) Empiricism
Answer B: Constructivism
Rationale: Constructivism views reality as multiple, subjective, and constructed through social interaction.
6. The steps of the research process are:
A) Identifying a problem, reviewing literature, designing the study, collecting data, analyzing data, and
disseminating findings
B) Identifying a problem, collecting data, and writing a report
C) Collecting data, analyzing data, and publishing
D) Reviewing literature, designing a study, and implementing
Answer A: Identifying a problem, reviewing literature, designing the study, collecting data, analyzing
data, and disseminating findings
Rationale: The research process follows a systematic sequence of steps.
7. A research problem is:
A) An area of concern or gap in knowledge that requires investigation
B) The final answer to a research question
C) The hypothesis
D) The research design
Answer A: An area of concern or gap in knowledge that requires investigation
,Rationale: A research problem identifies an area needing further inquiry.
8. The purpose of a literature review in research is to:
A) Identify what is known and unknown about a topic
B) Prove the researcher's hypothesis
C) Identify all possible participants
D) Determine the sample size
Answer A: Identify what is known and unknown about a topic
Rationale: Literature reviews situate the study within existing knowledge.
9. A primary source in a literature review is:
A) The original study or article written by the researcher
B) A summary or review of studies
C) A textbook chapter
D) A newspaper article
Answer A: The original study or article written by the researcher
Rationale: Primary sources are original, first-hand accounts.
10. A secondary source in a literature review is:
A) The original study
B) A summary or critique of original studies
C) Raw data
D) Patient records
Answer B: A summary or critique of original studies
Rationale: Secondary sources interpret or summarize primary sources.
11. A conceptual framework in research:
A) Provides a structure for understanding the relationships among concepts
B) Describes the statistical analysis
C) Identifies the sample
D) Lists the references
Answer A: Provides a structure for understanding the relationships among concepts
, Rationale: Conceptual frameworks guide the research by linking concepts.
12. A theoretical framework in research is based on:
A) Existing theories that explain the phenomenon
B) The researcher's personal experience
C) The statistical methods
D) The sample size
Answer A: Existing theories that explain the phenomenon
Rationale: Theoretical frameworks are grounded in established theories.
13. A research hypothesis is:
A) A statement of the research problem
B) A statement of the expected relationship between variables
C) The research purpose
D) The research question
Answer B: A statement of the expected relationship between variables
Rationale: Hypotheses predict relationships between variables.
14. A null hypothesis states that:
A) There is no relationship or difference between variables
B) There is a significant relationship
C) The research is not needed
D) The variables are unrelated
Answer A: There is no relationship or difference between variables
Rationale: Null hypotheses are tested for rejection; they state no effect.
15. An alternative hypothesis states that:
A) There is no relationship between variables
B) There is a relationship or difference between variables
C) The research is not needed
D) The sample is not representative
Answer B: There is a relationship or difference between variables
Latest Update | Instant Download PDF
1. Nursing research is best defined as:
A) A process of gathering information for administrative purposes
B) A systematic, rigorous, and logical inquiry to develop knowledge about nursing phenomena
C) An informal method of problem-solving
D) A way of documenting clinical practice
Answer B: A systematic, rigorous, and logical inquiry to develop knowledge about nursing
phenomena
Rationale: Nursing research generates knowledge through systematic investigation.
2. The first nursing researcher to collect data on patient outcomes was:
A) Virginia Henderson
B) Florence Nightingale
C) Dorothea Orem
D) Hildegard Peplau
Answer B: Florence Nightingale
Rationale: Nightingale used statistical data to improve sanitation and patient outcomes during the Crimean
War.
3. The two major paradigms in nursing research are:
A) Positivism and Constructivism
B) Quantitative and Qualitative
C) Deductive and Inductive
D) Empirical and Theoretical
Answer A: Positivism and Constructivism
Rationale: Positivism underpins quantitative research; constructivism underpins qualitative research.
,4. Which research paradigm assumes that reality is objective and can be measured?
A) Positivism
B) Constructivism
C) Critical theory
D) Pragmatism
Answer A: Positivism
Rationale: Positivism assumes an objective, measurable reality that exists independent of human
perception.
5. Which research paradigm assumes that reality is subjective and socially constructed?
A) Positivism
B) Constructivism
C) Critical theory
D) Empiricism
Answer B: Constructivism
Rationale: Constructivism views reality as multiple, subjective, and constructed through social interaction.
6. The steps of the research process are:
A) Identifying a problem, reviewing literature, designing the study, collecting data, analyzing data, and
disseminating findings
B) Identifying a problem, collecting data, and writing a report
C) Collecting data, analyzing data, and publishing
D) Reviewing literature, designing a study, and implementing
Answer A: Identifying a problem, reviewing literature, designing the study, collecting data, analyzing
data, and disseminating findings
Rationale: The research process follows a systematic sequence of steps.
7. A research problem is:
A) An area of concern or gap in knowledge that requires investigation
B) The final answer to a research question
C) The hypothesis
D) The research design
Answer A: An area of concern or gap in knowledge that requires investigation
,Rationale: A research problem identifies an area needing further inquiry.
8. The purpose of a literature review in research is to:
A) Identify what is known and unknown about a topic
B) Prove the researcher's hypothesis
C) Identify all possible participants
D) Determine the sample size
Answer A: Identify what is known and unknown about a topic
Rationale: Literature reviews situate the study within existing knowledge.
9. A primary source in a literature review is:
A) The original study or article written by the researcher
B) A summary or review of studies
C) A textbook chapter
D) A newspaper article
Answer A: The original study or article written by the researcher
Rationale: Primary sources are original, first-hand accounts.
10. A secondary source in a literature review is:
A) The original study
B) A summary or critique of original studies
C) Raw data
D) Patient records
Answer B: A summary or critique of original studies
Rationale: Secondary sources interpret or summarize primary sources.
11. A conceptual framework in research:
A) Provides a structure for understanding the relationships among concepts
B) Describes the statistical analysis
C) Identifies the sample
D) Lists the references
Answer A: Provides a structure for understanding the relationships among concepts
, Rationale: Conceptual frameworks guide the research by linking concepts.
12. A theoretical framework in research is based on:
A) Existing theories that explain the phenomenon
B) The researcher's personal experience
C) The statistical methods
D) The sample size
Answer A: Existing theories that explain the phenomenon
Rationale: Theoretical frameworks are grounded in established theories.
13. A research hypothesis is:
A) A statement of the research problem
B) A statement of the expected relationship between variables
C) The research purpose
D) The research question
Answer B: A statement of the expected relationship between variables
Rationale: Hypotheses predict relationships between variables.
14. A null hypothesis states that:
A) There is no relationship or difference between variables
B) There is a significant relationship
C) The research is not needed
D) The variables are unrelated
Answer A: There is no relationship or difference between variables
Rationale: Null hypotheses are tested for rejection; they state no effect.
15. An alternative hypothesis states that:
A) There is no relationship between variables
B) There is a relationship or difference between variables
C) The research is not needed
D) The sample is not representative
Answer B: There is a relationship or difference between variables
