Test Bank - for Reading, Understanding,
and Applying Nursing Research
6th Edition - James A. Fain
All Chapters 1-15 | Complete Guide
75 Questions | 2026/2027 Aligned
AACN Essentials Domain 3 (Scholarship for EBP)
QSEN Competencies | ANA Scope and Standards
Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Comprehensive Study Guide
Research Foundations | Quantitative & Qualitative Designs | Measurement
Data Analysis | Critical Appraisal | EBP Implementation | Ethics
2026 Update
, Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Exam Structure Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Section 1: Foundations of Nursing Research: Evidence Hierarchies, Ethics and Research
Utilization (Q1-Q10) 3
Section 2: Quantitative Research Designs: Experimental, Quasi-Experimental and
Non-Experimental Methods (Q11-Q22) 6
Section 3: Qualitative Research Approaches: Phenomenology, Grounded Theory, Ethnography
and Trustworthiness (Q23-Q34) 9
Section 4: Sampling, Data Collection and Measurement: Validity, Reliability and Instrument
Selection (Q35-Q46) 11
Section 5: Data Analysis and Interpretation: Descriptive/Inferential Statistics, Thematic
Analysis and Clinical Significance (Q47-Q58) 14
Section 6: Critical Appraisal and EBP Implementation: Research Critique Frameworks,
Translation Models and Quality Improvement (Q59-Q70) 17
Section 7: Dissemination, Professional Writing and Research Ethics in Practice (Q71-Q75) 20
, Introduction
This comprehensive study guide is designed for nursing students and practitioners preparing for examinations on
Reading, Understanding, and Applying Nursing Research, 6th Edition by James A. Fain. The guide is aligned with
the 2026/2027 AACN Essentials Domain 3 (Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice), QSEN Competencies, and
ANA Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice frameworks.
The examination consists of exactly 75 multiple-choice questions distributed across seven core content domains
covering the full scope of nursing research methodology from foundational principles through dissemination and
ethical practice. Questions are designed at three cognitive levels: approximately 30% factual recall of terminology,
concepts, and regulatory standards; 50% application of research knowledge to realistic clinical and academic
scenarios; and 20% analytical reasoning requiring integration of multiple concepts and critical evaluation of
research evidence.
Each question includes the correct answer clearly marked in green, followed by a detailed rationale explaining why
the correct answer is right and why each distractor is incorrect. Content reflects contemporary 2026/2027
developments including digital health research ethics, inclusive methodology frameworks, implementation science
advances, and updated EBP guidelines.
Exam Structure Overview
Sec Content Domain Questions Cognitive Focus
Foundations of Nursing Research: Evidence Hierarchies, Ethics and
1 Q1-Q10 Recall, Application, Analysis
Research Utilization
Quantitative Research Designs: Experimental, Quasi-Experimental
2 Q11-Q22 Recall, Application, Analysis
and Non-Experimental Methods
Qualitative Research Approaches: Phenomenology, Grounded Theory,
3 Q23-Q34 Recall, Application, Analysis
Ethnography and Trustworthiness
Sampling, Data Collection and Measurement: Validity, Reliability and
4 Q35-Q46 Recall, Application, Analysis
Instrument Selection
Data Analysis and Interpretation: Descriptive/Inferential Statistics,
5 Q47-Q58 Recall, Application, Analysis
Thematic Analysis and Clinical Significance
Critical Appraisal and EBP Implementation: Research Critique
6 Q59-Q70 Recall, Application, Analysis
Frameworks, Translation Models and Quality Improvement
7 Dissemination, Professional Writing and Research Ethics in Practice Q71-Q75 Recall, Application, Analysis
Section 1: Foundations of Nursing Research: Evidence Hierarchies,
Ethics and Research Utilization (Q1-Q10)
Q1: In the hierarchy of evidence for evidence-based practice, which source is considered the STRONGEST level of
evidence?
A. Expert opinion from a nationally recognized nursing leader
B. A single randomized controlled trial (RCT) published in a peer-reviewed journal
C. A systematic review or meta-analysis of multiple high-quality randomized controlled trials
D. A well-designed case-control study conducted at a major academic medical center
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (C) occupy the highest position in evidence hierarchies because they synthesize
findings from multiple RCTs using rigorous methodology. A single RCT (B) is strong but not the strongest; case-control studies (D)
and Applying Nursing Research
6th Edition - James A. Fain
All Chapters 1-15 | Complete Guide
75 Questions | 2026/2027 Aligned
AACN Essentials Domain 3 (Scholarship for EBP)
QSEN Competencies | ANA Scope and Standards
Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Comprehensive Study Guide
Research Foundations | Quantitative & Qualitative Designs | Measurement
Data Analysis | Critical Appraisal | EBP Implementation | Ethics
2026 Update
, Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Exam Structure Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Section 1: Foundations of Nursing Research: Evidence Hierarchies, Ethics and Research
Utilization (Q1-Q10) 3
Section 2: Quantitative Research Designs: Experimental, Quasi-Experimental and
Non-Experimental Methods (Q11-Q22) 6
Section 3: Qualitative Research Approaches: Phenomenology, Grounded Theory, Ethnography
and Trustworthiness (Q23-Q34) 9
Section 4: Sampling, Data Collection and Measurement: Validity, Reliability and Instrument
Selection (Q35-Q46) 11
Section 5: Data Analysis and Interpretation: Descriptive/Inferential Statistics, Thematic
Analysis and Clinical Significance (Q47-Q58) 14
Section 6: Critical Appraisal and EBP Implementation: Research Critique Frameworks,
Translation Models and Quality Improvement (Q59-Q70) 17
Section 7: Dissemination, Professional Writing and Research Ethics in Practice (Q71-Q75) 20
, Introduction
This comprehensive study guide is designed for nursing students and practitioners preparing for examinations on
Reading, Understanding, and Applying Nursing Research, 6th Edition by James A. Fain. The guide is aligned with
the 2026/2027 AACN Essentials Domain 3 (Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice), QSEN Competencies, and
ANA Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice frameworks.
The examination consists of exactly 75 multiple-choice questions distributed across seven core content domains
covering the full scope of nursing research methodology from foundational principles through dissemination and
ethical practice. Questions are designed at three cognitive levels: approximately 30% factual recall of terminology,
concepts, and regulatory standards; 50% application of research knowledge to realistic clinical and academic
scenarios; and 20% analytical reasoning requiring integration of multiple concepts and critical evaluation of
research evidence.
Each question includes the correct answer clearly marked in green, followed by a detailed rationale explaining why
the correct answer is right and why each distractor is incorrect. Content reflects contemporary 2026/2027
developments including digital health research ethics, inclusive methodology frameworks, implementation science
advances, and updated EBP guidelines.
Exam Structure Overview
Sec Content Domain Questions Cognitive Focus
Foundations of Nursing Research: Evidence Hierarchies, Ethics and
1 Q1-Q10 Recall, Application, Analysis
Research Utilization
Quantitative Research Designs: Experimental, Quasi-Experimental
2 Q11-Q22 Recall, Application, Analysis
and Non-Experimental Methods
Qualitative Research Approaches: Phenomenology, Grounded Theory,
3 Q23-Q34 Recall, Application, Analysis
Ethnography and Trustworthiness
Sampling, Data Collection and Measurement: Validity, Reliability and
4 Q35-Q46 Recall, Application, Analysis
Instrument Selection
Data Analysis and Interpretation: Descriptive/Inferential Statistics,
5 Q47-Q58 Recall, Application, Analysis
Thematic Analysis and Clinical Significance
Critical Appraisal and EBP Implementation: Research Critique
6 Q59-Q70 Recall, Application, Analysis
Frameworks, Translation Models and Quality Improvement
7 Dissemination, Professional Writing and Research Ethics in Practice Q71-Q75 Recall, Application, Analysis
Section 1: Foundations of Nursing Research: Evidence Hierarchies,
Ethics and Research Utilization (Q1-Q10)
Q1: In the hierarchy of evidence for evidence-based practice, which source is considered the STRONGEST level of
evidence?
A. Expert opinion from a nationally recognized nursing leader
B. A single randomized controlled trial (RCT) published in a peer-reviewed journal
C. A systematic review or meta-analysis of multiple high-quality randomized controlled trials
D. A well-designed case-control study conducted at a major academic medical center
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (C) occupy the highest position in evidence hierarchies because they synthesize
findings from multiple RCTs using rigorous methodology. A single RCT (B) is strong but not the strongest; case-control studies (D)
