Quantitative Research Techniques & Statistics
Actual Preparation for Peregrine Assessment:
Complete Practice Exam & Study Guide
DOMAIN 1: RESEARCH DESIGN & METHODOLOGY (Q1-15)
1. A researcher wants to determine if a new teaching method improves nursing
students' clinical skills compared to traditional methods. Students are randomly
assigned to either the new method or traditional method groups. This design is best
described as:
A. Correlational study - examines relationships without manipulation
B. Quasi-experimental design - lacks random assignment
C. Randomized controlled trial (RCT) - random assignment with intervention
D. Descriptive study - describes characteristics without manipulation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C is correct. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involves random assignment
of participants to experimental and control groups with manipulation of an independent
variable (teaching method). This design allows causal inference about the intervention's
effect. Correlational (A) examines relationships without manipulation.
Quasi-experimental (B) lacks random assignment. Descriptive (D) merely describes
without manipulation.
2. In a study examining nurse burnout across hospital units, the researcher surveys all
nurses working in critical care, medical-surgical, and pediatric units. The sampling
method used is:
A. Simple random sampling - each nurse has equal chance of selection from entire
population
B. Quota sampling - non-random selection to fill predetermined quotas
,C. Stratified random sampling - population divided into strata, then random sampling
within each
D. Convenience sampling - based on availability and accessibility
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C is correct. Stratified random sampling involves dividing the population into
strata (critical care, med-surg, pediatric) and then randomly sampling from each stratum
to ensure representation from all groups. This differs from simple random sampling (A)
where all units have equal chance regardless of type. Quota sampling (B) is
non-random. Convenience sampling (D) is non-probability based on accessibility.
3. A researcher is interested in understanding the lived experience of patients
undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. The most appropriate research design is:
A. Quantitative experimental design - uses numerical data and manipulation
B. Mixed-methods design - combines quantitative and qualitative approaches
C. Qualitative phenomenological study - explores lived experiences and meanings
D. Randomized controlled trial - tests interventions with random assignment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C is correct. Phenomenology, a qualitative research design, specifically
explores lived experiences and the meanings individuals attach to those experiences.
Understanding patient experiences requires in-depth interviews and qualitative analysis.
Quantitative experimental (A) and RCT (D) designs test interventions with numerical
outcomes. Mixed-methods (B) combines approaches but the question specifically asks
about understanding lived experience, making pure qualitative phenomenology most
appropriate.
4. In a study examining the effect of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance, sleep
deprivation is the:
A. Dependent variable - outcome being measured (cognitive performance)
B. Extraneous variable - uncontrolled factor affecting results
C. Independent variable - manipulated to observe effect on outcome
D. Confounding variable - interferes with relationship between variables
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C is correct. The independent variable is the factor manipulated or controlled
by the researcher (sleep deprivation) to observe its effect on the dependent variable
(cognitive performance). Dependent variable (A) is the outcome measure. Extraneous
variable (B) is any variable other than the IV that may affect the DV. Confounding
variable (D) specifically distorts the true relationship between IV and DV. Clear
identification of variables is essential for research design validity.
5. A researcher wants to ensure that the measurement tool used to assess anxiety
actually measures anxiety and not depression. This concern relates to:
A. Reliability - consistency of measurement over time
B. Sensitivity - ability to detect changes in the construct
C. Validity - measuring what the instrument claims to measure
D. Objectivity - freedom from researcher bias
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C is correct. Validity refers to whether an instrument measures what it claims
to measure (anxiety vs. depression in this case). Construct validity specifically
addresses whether the tool measures the theoretical construct. Reliability (A) concerns
consistency, not what is measured. Sensitivity (B) refers to detecting change. Objectivity
(D) concerns bias elimination. Ensuring instruments measure intended constructs is
fundamental to research validity.
6. In a longitudinal study following patients with diabetes for 10 years, 30% of
participants drop out by year 5. This phenomenon is called:
A. Sampling error - difference between sample and population
B. Selection bias - systematic differences between groups
C. Attrition - loss of participants over time
D. Maturation - natural changes in participants over time
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C is correct. Attrition (or mortality in research terms) refers to loss of
participants from a study over time, which threatens internal validity by potentially
Actual Preparation for Peregrine Assessment:
Complete Practice Exam & Study Guide
DOMAIN 1: RESEARCH DESIGN & METHODOLOGY (Q1-15)
1. A researcher wants to determine if a new teaching method improves nursing
students' clinical skills compared to traditional methods. Students are randomly
assigned to either the new method or traditional method groups. This design is best
described as:
A. Correlational study - examines relationships without manipulation
B. Quasi-experimental design - lacks random assignment
C. Randomized controlled trial (RCT) - random assignment with intervention
D. Descriptive study - describes characteristics without manipulation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C is correct. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involves random assignment
of participants to experimental and control groups with manipulation of an independent
variable (teaching method). This design allows causal inference about the intervention's
effect. Correlational (A) examines relationships without manipulation.
Quasi-experimental (B) lacks random assignment. Descriptive (D) merely describes
without manipulation.
2. In a study examining nurse burnout across hospital units, the researcher surveys all
nurses working in critical care, medical-surgical, and pediatric units. The sampling
method used is:
A. Simple random sampling - each nurse has equal chance of selection from entire
population
B. Quota sampling - non-random selection to fill predetermined quotas
,C. Stratified random sampling - population divided into strata, then random sampling
within each
D. Convenience sampling - based on availability and accessibility
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C is correct. Stratified random sampling involves dividing the population into
strata (critical care, med-surg, pediatric) and then randomly sampling from each stratum
to ensure representation from all groups. This differs from simple random sampling (A)
where all units have equal chance regardless of type. Quota sampling (B) is
non-random. Convenience sampling (D) is non-probability based on accessibility.
3. A researcher is interested in understanding the lived experience of patients
undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. The most appropriate research design is:
A. Quantitative experimental design - uses numerical data and manipulation
B. Mixed-methods design - combines quantitative and qualitative approaches
C. Qualitative phenomenological study - explores lived experiences and meanings
D. Randomized controlled trial - tests interventions with random assignment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C is correct. Phenomenology, a qualitative research design, specifically
explores lived experiences and the meanings individuals attach to those experiences.
Understanding patient experiences requires in-depth interviews and qualitative analysis.
Quantitative experimental (A) and RCT (D) designs test interventions with numerical
outcomes. Mixed-methods (B) combines approaches but the question specifically asks
about understanding lived experience, making pure qualitative phenomenology most
appropriate.
4. In a study examining the effect of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance, sleep
deprivation is the:
A. Dependent variable - outcome being measured (cognitive performance)
B. Extraneous variable - uncontrolled factor affecting results
C. Independent variable - manipulated to observe effect on outcome
D. Confounding variable - interferes with relationship between variables
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C is correct. The independent variable is the factor manipulated or controlled
by the researcher (sleep deprivation) to observe its effect on the dependent variable
(cognitive performance). Dependent variable (A) is the outcome measure. Extraneous
variable (B) is any variable other than the IV that may affect the DV. Confounding
variable (D) specifically distorts the true relationship between IV and DV. Clear
identification of variables is essential for research design validity.
5. A researcher wants to ensure that the measurement tool used to assess anxiety
actually measures anxiety and not depression. This concern relates to:
A. Reliability - consistency of measurement over time
B. Sensitivity - ability to detect changes in the construct
C. Validity - measuring what the instrument claims to measure
D. Objectivity - freedom from researcher bias
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C is correct. Validity refers to whether an instrument measures what it claims
to measure (anxiety vs. depression in this case). Construct validity specifically
addresses whether the tool measures the theoretical construct. Reliability (A) concerns
consistency, not what is measured. Sensitivity (B) refers to detecting change. Objectivity
(D) concerns bias elimination. Ensuring instruments measure intended constructs is
fundamental to research validity.
6. In a longitudinal study following patients with diabetes for 10 years, 30% of
participants drop out by year 5. This phenomenon is called:
A. Sampling error - difference between sample and population
B. Selection bias - systematic differences between groups
C. Attrition - loss of participants over time
D. Maturation - natural changes in participants over time
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C is correct. Attrition (or mortality in research terms) refers to loss of
participants from a study over time, which threatens internal validity by potentially
