Chapter 13: Data Collection Methods
LoBiondo-Wood: Nursing Research in Canada, 4th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following terms describes the process of translating the researcher’s
concepts of interest into observable and measurable phenomena?
a. Analysis
b. Objectivity
c. Consistency
d. Operationalization
ANS: D
Feedback
A. Analysis is the process of examining data; it does not specifically address
measurable phenomena.
B. The term objectivity refers to data not being influenced by the data collector.
C. Consistency is about data being collected from each research participant in a way
that is as close to exactly the same as possible.
D. Operationalization is the process of translating the variables of research interest
into observable and measurable phenomena.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
,2. Which of the following factors or issues are most important in deciding on a method of
data collection for a specific research study?
a. The number of hypotheses or research questions and the experience of the
investigator
b. The nature of the research question and the specific population to be studied
c. The cost of the instrument and the amount of research effort involved
d. The number of co-investigators on the study and the educational preparation of the
primary investigator
ANS: B
Feedback
A. Researcher experience should not influence choice of data-collection method.
B. The nature of the research question and the specific population to be studied are
the most important factors in determining a method of data collection.
C. Cost of instrumentation and research effort are related to obtaining funding and
are not deciding factors in the choice of data-collection method.
D. The number of co-investigators and the researcher’s educational preparation are
not prime considerations in the choice of data-collection method.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing (Analysis)
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. What should the nurse researcher expect to be the difference between data collection for
patient care and data collection for the purposes of research?
a. For patient care, data are obtained from the patient and medical record; for
research, data are obtained only from the patient.
b. Data collection for research may include direct patient quotations; in patient care,
recording of direct quotations is avoided.
, c. During research data collection, there is no direct interaction between the nurse
and the patient.
d. Data collection for research purposes must be objective and systematic.
ANS: D
Feedback
A. In research, data may be collected from patients, medical records, and many other
sources.
B. Quotations may be used in either research or patient care.
C. Research data collection may involve direct nurse contact, depending on design.
D. The major difference between data collection for patient care and research
purposes is that data collection for research purposes must be free from the
researchers’ personal biases, beliefs, values, or attitudes and collected in a
uniform, consistent, or standard way from each participant by everyone who is
involved in the data-collection process.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. What is the most appropriate method of data collection the researcher can use to gather
information from 1,000 people?
a. Field notes
b. Structured interview
c. Unstructured interview
d. Survey
ANS: D
LoBiondo-Wood: Nursing Research in Canada, 4th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following terms describes the process of translating the researcher’s
concepts of interest into observable and measurable phenomena?
a. Analysis
b. Objectivity
c. Consistency
d. Operationalization
ANS: D
Feedback
A. Analysis is the process of examining data; it does not specifically address
measurable phenomena.
B. The term objectivity refers to data not being influenced by the data collector.
C. Consistency is about data being collected from each research participant in a way
that is as close to exactly the same as possible.
D. Operationalization is the process of translating the variables of research interest
into observable and measurable phenomena.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
,2. Which of the following factors or issues are most important in deciding on a method of
data collection for a specific research study?
a. The number of hypotheses or research questions and the experience of the
investigator
b. The nature of the research question and the specific population to be studied
c. The cost of the instrument and the amount of research effort involved
d. The number of co-investigators on the study and the educational preparation of the
primary investigator
ANS: B
Feedback
A. Researcher experience should not influence choice of data-collection method.
B. The nature of the research question and the specific population to be studied are
the most important factors in determining a method of data collection.
C. Cost of instrumentation and research effort are related to obtaining funding and
are not deciding factors in the choice of data-collection method.
D. The number of co-investigators and the researcher’s educational preparation are
not prime considerations in the choice of data-collection method.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyzing (Analysis)
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. What should the nurse researcher expect to be the difference between data collection for
patient care and data collection for the purposes of research?
a. For patient care, data are obtained from the patient and medical record; for
research, data are obtained only from the patient.
b. Data collection for research may include direct patient quotations; in patient care,
recording of direct quotations is avoided.
, c. During research data collection, there is no direct interaction between the nurse
and the patient.
d. Data collection for research purposes must be objective and systematic.
ANS: D
Feedback
A. In research, data may be collected from patients, medical records, and many other
sources.
B. Quotations may be used in either research or patient care.
C. Research data collection may involve direct nurse contact, depending on design.
D. The major difference between data collection for patient care and research
purposes is that data collection for research purposes must be free from the
researchers’ personal biases, beliefs, values, or attitudes and collected in a
uniform, consistent, or standard way from each participant by everyone who is
involved in the data-collection process.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. What is the most appropriate method of data collection the researcher can use to gather
information from 1,000 people?
a. Field notes
b. Structured interview
c. Unstructured interview
d. Survey
ANS: D
