Exam 1 Nursing Research Methods
Questions with Correct Answers
Quantitative Research - ANSWERSResearch that uses numbers to obtain precise
measurements
Qualitative Research - ANSWERSResearch that uses words to describe human
behaviors
Independent Variable - ANSWERSVariable that influences the dependent variable or
outcome; intervention or treatment that is manipulated by the researcher; X variable
Dependent Variable - ANSWERSOutcome or variable that is influenced by the
independent variable; Y variable
Conceptual Definitions - ANSWERSDefinitions of concepts contained in a theory that
sound like dictionary definitions
Operational Definitions - ANSWERSDefinitions that explicitly state how the variable will
be measured or operationalized; empirical definitions
Problem Statement - ANSWERSA formal statement describing the problem addressed
in the study
Purpose Statement - ANSWERSA statement indicating the aim of the study
Simple Hypothesis - ANSWERSA hypothesis describing the relationship among two
variables
Complex Hypothesis - ANSWERSA hypothesis describing the relationships among
three or more variables
Directional Hypothesis - ANSWERSStatement describing the direction of a relationship
among two or more variables
Non-Directional Hypothesis - ANSWERSStatement of the relationship among two
variables that does not predict the direction of the relationship
Null Hypothesis - ANSWERSA hypothesis stating that there is no relationship between
the variables; the statistical hypothesis
Research - ANSWERSA planned and systematic activity that leads to new knowledge
and/or the discovery of solutions to problems or questions
, Descriptive Reseach - ANSWERSA category of research that is concerned with
providing accurate descriptions of phenomena.
Answers "What is it?" This category of research is concerned with providing accurate
descriptions and can involve observation of a phenomenon in its natural setting.
Explanatory Research - ANSWERSResearch concerned with identifying relationships
among phenomena.
The goal of this category of research is to identify the relationships a phenomenon has
with individuals, groups, situations, or events.
Address why or how phenomena are related.
Predictive Research - ANSWERSResearch that forecasts precise relationships between
dimensions of phenomena or differences between groups.
This category of research addresses when the phenomena will occur.
Basic Research - ANSWERSResearch to gain knowledge for the sake of gaining
knowledge; bench research.
This knowledge may or may not become applicable to practical issues or situations. It
may be years before a discovery becomes useful when it is combined with other
discoveries. For example, vitamin K was studied for the sake of learning more about its
properties. Years later, the knowledge gains about its mechanism of action during
coagulation formed the foundation for vitamin K becoming an accepted treatment for
bleeding disorders.
Applied Research - ANSWERSResearch to discover knowledge that will solve a clinical
problem. The findings typically have immediate application to bring about changes in
practice, education, or administration.
Deductive reasoning - ANSWERSPrimarily linked with quantitative research, is
reasoning that moves from the general to the particular.
For example, researchers use a theory to help them reason out a hunch. If the
researcher believes that the position of the body affects circulation, then the researcher
could deduce that blood pressure readings taken while lying down will be different from
those measured while standing.
Inductive reasoning - ANSWERSInvolves reasoning that moves from the particular to
the general and is associated with qualitative approaches. By using inductive reasoning,
researchers can take particular ideas and express and overall general summary about
the phenomenon.
Questions with Correct Answers
Quantitative Research - ANSWERSResearch that uses numbers to obtain precise
measurements
Qualitative Research - ANSWERSResearch that uses words to describe human
behaviors
Independent Variable - ANSWERSVariable that influences the dependent variable or
outcome; intervention or treatment that is manipulated by the researcher; X variable
Dependent Variable - ANSWERSOutcome or variable that is influenced by the
independent variable; Y variable
Conceptual Definitions - ANSWERSDefinitions of concepts contained in a theory that
sound like dictionary definitions
Operational Definitions - ANSWERSDefinitions that explicitly state how the variable will
be measured or operationalized; empirical definitions
Problem Statement - ANSWERSA formal statement describing the problem addressed
in the study
Purpose Statement - ANSWERSA statement indicating the aim of the study
Simple Hypothesis - ANSWERSA hypothesis describing the relationship among two
variables
Complex Hypothesis - ANSWERSA hypothesis describing the relationships among
three or more variables
Directional Hypothesis - ANSWERSStatement describing the direction of a relationship
among two or more variables
Non-Directional Hypothesis - ANSWERSStatement of the relationship among two
variables that does not predict the direction of the relationship
Null Hypothesis - ANSWERSA hypothesis stating that there is no relationship between
the variables; the statistical hypothesis
Research - ANSWERSA planned and systematic activity that leads to new knowledge
and/or the discovery of solutions to problems or questions
, Descriptive Reseach - ANSWERSA category of research that is concerned with
providing accurate descriptions of phenomena.
Answers "What is it?" This category of research is concerned with providing accurate
descriptions and can involve observation of a phenomenon in its natural setting.
Explanatory Research - ANSWERSResearch concerned with identifying relationships
among phenomena.
The goal of this category of research is to identify the relationships a phenomenon has
with individuals, groups, situations, or events.
Address why or how phenomena are related.
Predictive Research - ANSWERSResearch that forecasts precise relationships between
dimensions of phenomena or differences between groups.
This category of research addresses when the phenomena will occur.
Basic Research - ANSWERSResearch to gain knowledge for the sake of gaining
knowledge; bench research.
This knowledge may or may not become applicable to practical issues or situations. It
may be years before a discovery becomes useful when it is combined with other
discoveries. For example, vitamin K was studied for the sake of learning more about its
properties. Years later, the knowledge gains about its mechanism of action during
coagulation formed the foundation for vitamin K becoming an accepted treatment for
bleeding disorders.
Applied Research - ANSWERSResearch to discover knowledge that will solve a clinical
problem. The findings typically have immediate application to bring about changes in
practice, education, or administration.
Deductive reasoning - ANSWERSPrimarily linked with quantitative research, is
reasoning that moves from the general to the particular.
For example, researchers use a theory to help them reason out a hunch. If the
researcher believes that the position of the body affects circulation, then the researcher
could deduce that blood pressure readings taken while lying down will be different from
those measured while standing.
Inductive reasoning - ANSWERSInvolves reasoning that moves from the particular to
the general and is associated with qualitative approaches. By using inductive reasoning,
researchers can take particular ideas and express and overall general summary about
the phenomenon.
