NSG 3850: NURSING RESEARCH AND
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE EXAM 1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which component of a PICO question refers to the specific characteristic or condition that
the researcher is interested in improving?
A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Outcome
D. Comparison
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In the PICO(T) framework, the Outcome (O) is the specific result
the researcher aims to achieve or measure.
2. Which level of evidence is considered the highest in the hierarchy for clinical decision-
making?
A. Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
B. Case-control studies
,C. Expert opinion and consensus reports
D. Single descriptive or qualitative studies
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs are Level I
evidence because they synthesize all available high-quality data.
3. A researcher is studying the lived experience of mothers who have lost a child to sudden
infant death syndrome. Which research design is most appropriate?
A. Correlational Study
B. Grounded Theory
C. Ethnography
D. Phenomenology
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Phenomenology focuses on the ‘lived experience’ of individuals
regarding a specific phenomenon.
4. What is the primary purpose of a ‘Power Analysis’ in quantitative research?
A. To determine the minimum sample size needed to detect an effect
B. To identify the appropriate statistical test
C. To determine the ethical feasibility of the study
, D. To ensure the validity of the measurement tools
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Power analysis is used to determine the sample size required to
ensure the study has a high probability of detecting a significant effect if one exists.
5. In a study measuring the effect of music therapy on postoperative pain levels, ‘pain level’
represents which variable?
A. Independent variable
B. Demographic variable
C. Extraneous variable
D. Dependent variable
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The dependent variable is the outcome being measured, which is
expected to change based on the intervention.
6. Which type of sampling involves selecting participants because they are easily accessible to
the researcher?
A. Random sampling
B. Convenience sampling
C. Stratified sampling
D. Purposive sampling
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE EXAM 1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which component of a PICO question refers to the specific characteristic or condition that
the researcher is interested in improving?
A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Outcome
D. Comparison
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In the PICO(T) framework, the Outcome (O) is the specific result
the researcher aims to achieve or measure.
2. Which level of evidence is considered the highest in the hierarchy for clinical decision-
making?
A. Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
B. Case-control studies
,C. Expert opinion and consensus reports
D. Single descriptive or qualitative studies
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs are Level I
evidence because they synthesize all available high-quality data.
3. A researcher is studying the lived experience of mothers who have lost a child to sudden
infant death syndrome. Which research design is most appropriate?
A. Correlational Study
B. Grounded Theory
C. Ethnography
D. Phenomenology
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Phenomenology focuses on the ‘lived experience’ of individuals
regarding a specific phenomenon.
4. What is the primary purpose of a ‘Power Analysis’ in quantitative research?
A. To determine the minimum sample size needed to detect an effect
B. To identify the appropriate statistical test
C. To determine the ethical feasibility of the study
, D. To ensure the validity of the measurement tools
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Power analysis is used to determine the sample size required to
ensure the study has a high probability of detecting a significant effect if one exists.
5. In a study measuring the effect of music therapy on postoperative pain levels, ‘pain level’
represents which variable?
A. Independent variable
B. Demographic variable
C. Extraneous variable
D. Dependent variable
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The dependent variable is the outcome being measured, which is
expected to change based on the intervention.
6. Which type of sampling involves selecting participants because they are easily accessible to
the researcher?
A. Random sampling
B. Convenience sampling
C. Stratified sampling
D. Purposive sampling
