NUR 505 - ADVANCED NURSING
RESEARCH EXAM 2 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS
1. What is the primary distinguishing feature between a true experimental design and a
quasi-experimental design?
A. The use of a control group
B. The use of random assignment to groups
C. The manipulation of an independent variable
D. The collection of quantitative data
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: While both designs involve manipulation of an independent
variable and often use control groups, true experimental designs require random
assignment to ensure group equivalence, whereas quasi-experimental designs do not.
,2. Which threat to internal validity refers to changes in the dependent variable resulting from
the passage of time rather than the intervention?
A. Maturation
B. Selection bias
C. History
D. Testing effect
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Maturation refers to internal changes within participants (e.g.,
aging, healing, hunger) that occur during the course of a study and may influence the
results.
3. In psychometrics, which value represents the minimum acceptable Cronbach’s alpha for a
newly developed instrument intended for clinical use?
A. 0.5
B. 0.6
C. 0.9
D. 0.7
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: For a new instrument, a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.70 is generally
considered the minimum acceptable level for internal consistency, though 0.80 or higher is
preferred for established tools.
4. Which sampling method involves dividing the population into homogenous subgroups and
then randomly selecting participants from each subgroup?
A. Simple random sampling
B. Cluster sampling
C. Quota sampling
D. Stratified random sampling
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Stratified random sampling ensures that specific subgroups
(strata) are represented in the sample in proportion to their existence in the population.
5. What is the purpose of ‘bracketing’ in phenomenological research?
A. To identify the themes within the data
B. To ensure the sample size is adequate
C. To set aside the researcher’s preconceived beliefs and biases
D. To categorize participants into demographic groups
Answer: C
RESEARCH EXAM 2 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS
1. What is the primary distinguishing feature between a true experimental design and a
quasi-experimental design?
A. The use of a control group
B. The use of random assignment to groups
C. The manipulation of an independent variable
D. The collection of quantitative data
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: While both designs involve manipulation of an independent
variable and often use control groups, true experimental designs require random
assignment to ensure group equivalence, whereas quasi-experimental designs do not.
,2. Which threat to internal validity refers to changes in the dependent variable resulting from
the passage of time rather than the intervention?
A. Maturation
B. Selection bias
C. History
D. Testing effect
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Maturation refers to internal changes within participants (e.g.,
aging, healing, hunger) that occur during the course of a study and may influence the
results.
3. In psychometrics, which value represents the minimum acceptable Cronbach’s alpha for a
newly developed instrument intended for clinical use?
A. 0.5
B. 0.6
C. 0.9
D. 0.7
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: For a new instrument, a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.70 is generally
considered the minimum acceptable level for internal consistency, though 0.80 or higher is
preferred for established tools.
4. Which sampling method involves dividing the population into homogenous subgroups and
then randomly selecting participants from each subgroup?
A. Simple random sampling
B. Cluster sampling
C. Quota sampling
D. Stratified random sampling
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Stratified random sampling ensures that specific subgroups
(strata) are represented in the sample in proportion to their existence in the population.
5. What is the purpose of ‘bracketing’ in phenomenological research?
A. To identify the themes within the data
B. To ensure the sample size is adequate
C. To set aside the researcher’s preconceived beliefs and biases
D. To categorize participants into demographic groups
Answer: C
