NR-300A/B/C: Directed Independent Study
question and answer with rationales
1. What is the primary purpose of evidence-based practice in nursing?
To improve patient outcomes through the integration of research
evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences.
Evidence-based practice ensures that nursing interventions are
informed by the best available evidence, tailored by clinician judgment,
and aligned with patient values.
2. Which research design is most appropriate for studying cause-and-
effect relationships?
Experimental design (e.g., randomized controlled trial).
Experimental designs allow manipulation of variables to establish
causality and reduce bias.
3. What is the first step in the nursing research process?
Identifying a problem or research question.
All research begins with a clearly defined problem or question to guide
the study’s purpose and design.
4. Which ethical principle requires nurses to do good and prevent
harm?
Beneficence.
Beneficence obligates nurses to act in the best interest of patients and
minimize potential risks.
,5. What type of data is measured on a nominal scale?
Categorical data (e.g., gender, blood type).
Nominal scales classify data into categories without a numerical order.
6. In clinical research, what is a control group used for?
To provide a baseline for comparison to the experimental group.
A control group helps isolate the effect of the intervention by comparing
outcomes with those who did not receive the intervention.
7. What is the purpose of a literature review in nursing research?
To summarize existing knowledge, identify gaps, and justify the study.
A thorough literature review informs the study’s significance and
theoretical framework.
8. Which level of evidence is considered the strongest for clinical
decision-making?
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled
trials.
These synthesize multiple high-quality studies to provide the most
reliable guidance.
9. What is the main advantage of using qualitative research in
nursing?
It provides in-depth understanding of patient experiences and
perspectives.
Qualitative methods explore feelings, beliefs, and behaviors that are not
easily quantified.
10. What is a PICO question used for in nursing?
To structure clinical questions for evidence-based practice.
, PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) helps focus
literature searches and research design.
11. Which type of bias occurs when study participants differ
systematically from the target population?
Selection bias.
Selection bias threatens the generalizability of study findings.
12. What is the purpose of informed consent in research?
To ensure participants understand the study and voluntarily agree to
participate.
Informed consent respects autonomy and ethical research standards.
13. Which statistic measures the spread of data around the mean?
Standard deviation.
Standard deviation quantifies variability, helping interpret consistency
of data.
14. What is the difference between reliability and validity in research?
Reliability refers to consistency of results; validity refers to accuracy in
measuring what is intended.
A test can be reliable without being valid, but a valid test must also be
reliable.
15. What type of study design is retrospective and analyzes existing
data?
Case-control study.
Case-control studies look back at exposures to identify associations with
outcomes.
16. Which nursing intervention is best supported by research to
prevent hospital-acquired infections?
question and answer with rationales
1. What is the primary purpose of evidence-based practice in nursing?
To improve patient outcomes through the integration of research
evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences.
Evidence-based practice ensures that nursing interventions are
informed by the best available evidence, tailored by clinician judgment,
and aligned with patient values.
2. Which research design is most appropriate for studying cause-and-
effect relationships?
Experimental design (e.g., randomized controlled trial).
Experimental designs allow manipulation of variables to establish
causality and reduce bias.
3. What is the first step in the nursing research process?
Identifying a problem or research question.
All research begins with a clearly defined problem or question to guide
the study’s purpose and design.
4. Which ethical principle requires nurses to do good and prevent
harm?
Beneficence.
Beneficence obligates nurses to act in the best interest of patients and
minimize potential risks.
,5. What type of data is measured on a nominal scale?
Categorical data (e.g., gender, blood type).
Nominal scales classify data into categories without a numerical order.
6. In clinical research, what is a control group used for?
To provide a baseline for comparison to the experimental group.
A control group helps isolate the effect of the intervention by comparing
outcomes with those who did not receive the intervention.
7. What is the purpose of a literature review in nursing research?
To summarize existing knowledge, identify gaps, and justify the study.
A thorough literature review informs the study’s significance and
theoretical framework.
8. Which level of evidence is considered the strongest for clinical
decision-making?
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled
trials.
These synthesize multiple high-quality studies to provide the most
reliable guidance.
9. What is the main advantage of using qualitative research in
nursing?
It provides in-depth understanding of patient experiences and
perspectives.
Qualitative methods explore feelings, beliefs, and behaviors that are not
easily quantified.
10. What is a PICO question used for in nursing?
To structure clinical questions for evidence-based practice.
, PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) helps focus
literature searches and research design.
11. Which type of bias occurs when study participants differ
systematically from the target population?
Selection bias.
Selection bias threatens the generalizability of study findings.
12. What is the purpose of informed consent in research?
To ensure participants understand the study and voluntarily agree to
participate.
Informed consent respects autonomy and ethical research standards.
13. Which statistic measures the spread of data around the mean?
Standard deviation.
Standard deviation quantifies variability, helping interpret consistency
of data.
14. What is the difference between reliability and validity in research?
Reliability refers to consistency of results; validity refers to accuracy in
measuring what is intended.
A test can be reliable without being valid, but a valid test must also be
reliable.
15. What type of study design is retrospective and analyzes existing
data?
Case-control study.
Case-control studies look back at exposures to identify associations with
outcomes.
16. Which nursing intervention is best supported by research to
prevent hospital-acquired infections?
