1. The measures used by a nurse researcher to maintain uniformity of conditions in a
quantitative research study refer to which aspect of the study?
a. Accuracy
b. Methods
c. Control
d. Validity - (correct answer)C (Control is the term used for measures taken by the
researcher to keep the conditions of a study uniform.)
2. What is the overall purpose of the research design in a quantitative research study?
a. To determine sample size
b. To identify the problem statement
c. To assist the researcher in identifying gaps in the knowledge base
d. To provide the plan for answering the research question - (correct answer)D (The
purpose of the research design is to provide the plan for answering the research
questions.)
3. In which of these ways does the nurse researcher's literature review help select the
appropriate study design?
a. By enlarging the scope of the study's hypotheses
b. By objectively assessing available knowledge of the area
c. By comparing current findings with previous study findings
d. By ensuring faithfulness to the study's purpose - (correct answer)B (Objectivity in the
conceptualization of the research question is derived from a thorough review of the
literature.)
4. When reviewing a research report, the nurse determines that all aspects of a study
systematically and logically flow from the research problem. Which condition has been
met?
a. Accuracy
, b. Feasibility
c. Internal validity
d. External validity - (correct answer)A (Accuracy indicates that all aspects of a study
systematically and logically flow from the research question.)
5. Which factor is most likely to be a mediating variable in a study to determine if high
doses of vitamin C help reduce the subjects' susceptibility to influenza?
a. The subjects' use of influenza vaccine
b. The subject' knowledge of vitamin C's functions
c. The gender of the potential subjects
d. The marital status of the potential subjects - (correct answer)A (An extraneous or
mediating variable is one that interferes with the operations of the variables being
studied, such as the study's outcome, which is susceptibility to influenza.)
6. A nurse researcher is designing a quantitative research study involving a specific
group of patients admitted to local hospitals. Which factor would negatively affect the
feasibility of this study?
a. The local region has a high percentage of families that could participate in the study.
b. Potential study subjects represented less than 1% of hospital admissions during the
year previous to the study.
c. Study participants who were hospitalized children younger than 5 years could not
give direct informed consent to participate in the study.
d. A comprehensive review of the literature revealed no studies were conducted that
examined this question during the past 15 years. - (correct answer)B (Feasibility refers
to the pragmatic considerations of a study -e.g., availability of subjects, cost.)
7. A nurse is designing a study to determine whether a videotape or a written pamphlet
is more effective in teaching young women how to perform breast self-examination
(BSE). Which of these actions would provide the best control for a mediating variable?
a. Include identical content in both BSE teaching methods
b. Exclude subjects who already perform BSE on a regular basis
quantitative research study refer to which aspect of the study?
a. Accuracy
b. Methods
c. Control
d. Validity - (correct answer)C (Control is the term used for measures taken by the
researcher to keep the conditions of a study uniform.)
2. What is the overall purpose of the research design in a quantitative research study?
a. To determine sample size
b. To identify the problem statement
c. To assist the researcher in identifying gaps in the knowledge base
d. To provide the plan for answering the research question - (correct answer)D (The
purpose of the research design is to provide the plan for answering the research
questions.)
3. In which of these ways does the nurse researcher's literature review help select the
appropriate study design?
a. By enlarging the scope of the study's hypotheses
b. By objectively assessing available knowledge of the area
c. By comparing current findings with previous study findings
d. By ensuring faithfulness to the study's purpose - (correct answer)B (Objectivity in the
conceptualization of the research question is derived from a thorough review of the
literature.)
4. When reviewing a research report, the nurse determines that all aspects of a study
systematically and logically flow from the research problem. Which condition has been
met?
a. Accuracy
, b. Feasibility
c. Internal validity
d. External validity - (correct answer)A (Accuracy indicates that all aspects of a study
systematically and logically flow from the research question.)
5. Which factor is most likely to be a mediating variable in a study to determine if high
doses of vitamin C help reduce the subjects' susceptibility to influenza?
a. The subjects' use of influenza vaccine
b. The subject' knowledge of vitamin C's functions
c. The gender of the potential subjects
d. The marital status of the potential subjects - (correct answer)A (An extraneous or
mediating variable is one that interferes with the operations of the variables being
studied, such as the study's outcome, which is susceptibility to influenza.)
6. A nurse researcher is designing a quantitative research study involving a specific
group of patients admitted to local hospitals. Which factor would negatively affect the
feasibility of this study?
a. The local region has a high percentage of families that could participate in the study.
b. Potential study subjects represented less than 1% of hospital admissions during the
year previous to the study.
c. Study participants who were hospitalized children younger than 5 years could not
give direct informed consent to participate in the study.
d. A comprehensive review of the literature revealed no studies were conducted that
examined this question during the past 15 years. - (correct answer)B (Feasibility refers
to the pragmatic considerations of a study -e.g., availability of subjects, cost.)
7. A nurse is designing a study to determine whether a videotape or a written pamphlet
is more effective in teaching young women how to perform breast self-examination
(BSE). Which of these actions would provide the best control for a mediating variable?
a. Include identical content in both BSE teaching methods
b. Exclude subjects who already perform BSE on a regular basis
