NURS 5366 : IDENTIFYING RESEARCH
DESIGNS COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ The best research evidence is the empirical knowledge generated from
traditions and trial and error.
Answer: False
◍ Researcher randomly assigns patient to two groups. Once group receives
anti-anxiety medication and the other group receives weekly counseling.
Answer: Quantitative Research
◍ A feasibility study is completed to determine if there are sufficient resources
to conduct a study.
Answer: True
◍ Researcher randomly assigns patients to the study or the control group to
study the effect on arrhythmia development following myocardial infarction.
Answer: Quantitative Research
◍ 25. Which action will the researcher take to improve construct validity?a.
Allow data collectors to know which subjects are assigned to which
groups.b. Ensure that operational definitions reflect theoretical constructs.c.
Make sure that the researcher is involved in data collection.d. Utilize only
one measurement method to measure study variables..
Answer: ANS: B-Ensure that operational definitions reflect theoretical
constructs.Construct validity depends on adequate definition and
measurement of constructs. The conceptual definition should emerge from
the concept analysis and the operational definition should clearly reflect
, both. Allowing data collectors to know which subjects are assigned to which
groups and involving the researcher in data collection both increase the risk
of bias. Using only one measurement tool increases the risk of
mono-operation bias.
◍ 32. In a quasi-experimental study using a convenience sample of subjects
from a local high school, the researcher asks potentialsubjects to volunteer
for placement in either a "low sugar" diet program or a "regular sugar" diet
program. This technique forassigning participation may compromisea.
construct validity.b. external validity.c. internal validity.d. statistical
conclusion validity..
Answer: ANS: C-internal validity.Internal validity looks at the influence of
extraneous variables on study outcomes. Construct validity is concerned
with the fitbetween conceptual and operational variables and requires
adequate conceptual and operational definitions. External validity is
concerned with the extent to which findings can be generalized beyond the
study sample. Statistical conclusion validity is concerned with whether the
conclusions based on statistical analyses are an accurate reflection of the
real world.
◍ 26. A researcher wishes to study the effects of effective sleep hygiene on
sleep quality and behavior among children diagnosed with attention deficit
disorder. To minimize mono-operation bias, the researcher willa. accurately
describe conceptual and operational definitions.b. adequately discuss
construct validity in the introduction.c. evaluate multiple sleep hygiene
techniques.d. utilize a double-blind data collection methodology..
Answer: ANS: C-evaluate multiple sleep hygiene
techniques.Mono-operation bias occurs when only one method of
measurement is used to assess a construct and can be minimized with the
use of multiple measures. Construct validity is improved with adequate
description of conceptual and operational definitions. Use of double-blind
data collection methods helps to minimize bias.
◍ 12. Which statement is true about a cross-sectional design?a. This design
, includes a time element that involves data collection on variables at one
point in time.b. This design includes a time element that involves data
collection on variables at different points in time.c. This design involves
collecting data from the same study participants at multiple points in time
and might also be referred to as repeated measures.d. This design looks at
predictive relationships between variables..
Answer: ANS: A-This design includes a time element that involves data
collection on variables at one point in time.A cross-sectional design involves
data collection on variables at one point in time. Cross- sectional designs
examine a group ofsubjects simultaneously in various stages of
development, illness severity, or recovery to identify changes in a
phenomenon acrossstages. A longitudinal design refers to data collection
from the same variables at different points in time and is also referred to
asrepeated measures. A correlational study design looks at predictive
relationships between variables.
◍ 22. A researcher wishes to conduct a study of a small number of subjects on
a large hospital intensive care unit. To minimize problems associated with
extraneous variables in the study setting, the researcher willa. ensure
double-blind data collection methods.b. randomly assign subjects to
treatment and control groups.c. test the reliability of study measures.d. train
a small number of nurses to administer the intervention..
Answer: ANS: D-train a small number of nurses to administer the
intervention.One way to reduce the effect of extraneous variables is to train
a small number of staff to administer the intervention to
improveconsistency. Double-blind data collection, random assignment of
subjects, and reliability of test measures are important to improvecontrol and
reduce bias. Extraneous variables in complex settings can influence scores
on the dependent variable.
◍ 11. A researcher conducts a study to examine possible contributors to
glycemic control in a group of subjects who have type 2 diabetes mellitus in
a local community. A convenience sample of patients includes patients from
28 to 65 years old who range in weight from normal to obese, with time
DESIGNS COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◍ The best research evidence is the empirical knowledge generated from
traditions and trial and error.
Answer: False
◍ Researcher randomly assigns patient to two groups. Once group receives
anti-anxiety medication and the other group receives weekly counseling.
Answer: Quantitative Research
◍ A feasibility study is completed to determine if there are sufficient resources
to conduct a study.
Answer: True
◍ Researcher randomly assigns patients to the study or the control group to
study the effect on arrhythmia development following myocardial infarction.
Answer: Quantitative Research
◍ 25. Which action will the researcher take to improve construct validity?a.
Allow data collectors to know which subjects are assigned to which
groups.b. Ensure that operational definitions reflect theoretical constructs.c.
Make sure that the researcher is involved in data collection.d. Utilize only
one measurement method to measure study variables..
Answer: ANS: B-Ensure that operational definitions reflect theoretical
constructs.Construct validity depends on adequate definition and
measurement of constructs. The conceptual definition should emerge from
the concept analysis and the operational definition should clearly reflect
, both. Allowing data collectors to know which subjects are assigned to which
groups and involving the researcher in data collection both increase the risk
of bias. Using only one measurement tool increases the risk of
mono-operation bias.
◍ 32. In a quasi-experimental study using a convenience sample of subjects
from a local high school, the researcher asks potentialsubjects to volunteer
for placement in either a "low sugar" diet program or a "regular sugar" diet
program. This technique forassigning participation may compromisea.
construct validity.b. external validity.c. internal validity.d. statistical
conclusion validity..
Answer: ANS: C-internal validity.Internal validity looks at the influence of
extraneous variables on study outcomes. Construct validity is concerned
with the fitbetween conceptual and operational variables and requires
adequate conceptual and operational definitions. External validity is
concerned with the extent to which findings can be generalized beyond the
study sample. Statistical conclusion validity is concerned with whether the
conclusions based on statistical analyses are an accurate reflection of the
real world.
◍ 26. A researcher wishes to study the effects of effective sleep hygiene on
sleep quality and behavior among children diagnosed with attention deficit
disorder. To minimize mono-operation bias, the researcher willa. accurately
describe conceptual and operational definitions.b. adequately discuss
construct validity in the introduction.c. evaluate multiple sleep hygiene
techniques.d. utilize a double-blind data collection methodology..
Answer: ANS: C-evaluate multiple sleep hygiene
techniques.Mono-operation bias occurs when only one method of
measurement is used to assess a construct and can be minimized with the
use of multiple measures. Construct validity is improved with adequate
description of conceptual and operational definitions. Use of double-blind
data collection methods helps to minimize bias.
◍ 12. Which statement is true about a cross-sectional design?a. This design
, includes a time element that involves data collection on variables at one
point in time.b. This design includes a time element that involves data
collection on variables at different points in time.c. This design involves
collecting data from the same study participants at multiple points in time
and might also be referred to as repeated measures.d. This design looks at
predictive relationships between variables..
Answer: ANS: A-This design includes a time element that involves data
collection on variables at one point in time.A cross-sectional design involves
data collection on variables at one point in time. Cross- sectional designs
examine a group ofsubjects simultaneously in various stages of
development, illness severity, or recovery to identify changes in a
phenomenon acrossstages. A longitudinal design refers to data collection
from the same variables at different points in time and is also referred to
asrepeated measures. A correlational study design looks at predictive
relationships between variables.
◍ 22. A researcher wishes to conduct a study of a small number of subjects on
a large hospital intensive care unit. To minimize problems associated with
extraneous variables in the study setting, the researcher willa. ensure
double-blind data collection methods.b. randomly assign subjects to
treatment and control groups.c. test the reliability of study measures.d. train
a small number of nurses to administer the intervention..
Answer: ANS: D-train a small number of nurses to administer the
intervention.One way to reduce the effect of extraneous variables is to train
a small number of staff to administer the intervention to
improveconsistency. Double-blind data collection, random assignment of
subjects, and reliability of test measures are important to improvecontrol and
reduce bias. Extraneous variables in complex settings can influence scores
on the dependent variable.
◍ 11. A researcher conducts a study to examine possible contributors to
glycemic control in a group of subjects who have type 2 diabetes mellitus in
a local community. A convenience sample of patients includes patients from
28 to 65 years old who range in weight from normal to obese, with time
