NURS 5366 Final Exam V1 | NURS 5366
Principles of Research in Nursing | Actual
Q&A with Rationale (NURS5366 Final
Exam) | The University of Texas at
Arlington
1. A researcher is designing a study to test the efficacy of a new wound dressing compared to
the standard of care. What is the primary distinguishing characteristic of a true experimental
design in this scenario?
A. The inclusion of a pre-test and post-test measurement for all subjects.
B. Random assignment of participants to either the experimental or control group.
C. The use of a large sample size to ensure statistical power.
D. Ensuring that the researcher is blinded to the treatment groups.
Answer: B
Rationale: A true experimental design must include manipulation, control, and
randomization. Random assignment is the specific mechanism that helps eliminate bias and
ensures that groups are equivalent at the start of the study. This is the gold standard for
establishing a cause-and-effect relationship in quantitative research.
2. In a qualitative study exploring the ‘lived experience’ of patients surviving a myocardial
infarction, which methodological approach is most appropriate?
A. Phenomenology
,B. Ethnography
C. Grounded Theory
D. Case Study
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenomenology focuses on describing the meaning of a lived experience for
several individuals. The researcher aims to understand the ‘essence’ of the phenomenon
from the participants’ perspective. This differs from Grounded Theory, which aims to
develop a theory, or Ethnography, which focuses on cultural patterns.
3. A nurse researcher uses a scale to measure patient weight. If the scale consistently reports
a weight that is 2 pounds heavier than the actual weight, the scale is:
A. Reliable but not valid.
B. Valid but not reliable.
C. Both reliable and valid.
D. Neither reliable nor valid.
Answer: A
Rationale: Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure, while validity refers to the
accuracy of the measure. Because the scale consistently gives the same (incorrect) reading,
it is reliable. However, because it does not measure the true weight accurately, it lacks
validity.
, 4. Which type of sampling method is most likely to result in a representative sample of a
specific population?
A. Convenience sampling
B. Probability sampling
C. Snowball sampling
D. Purposive sampling
Answer: B
Rationale: Probability sampling involves random selection, which ensures every member
of the population has an equal chance of being included. This minimizes selection bias and
enhances the generalizability of the findings to the larger population. Non-probability
methods like convenience sampling are prone to bias and may not reflect the population
accurately.
5. A researcher sets the alpha level at 0.05. After data analysis, the p-value is determined to
be 0.02. What should the researcher conclude?
A. Fail to reject the null hypothesis.
B. The study has a Type I error.
C. Accept the null hypothesis; there is no significant difference.
D. Reject the null hypothesis; the results are statistically significant.
Answer: D
Principles of Research in Nursing | Actual
Q&A with Rationale (NURS5366 Final
Exam) | The University of Texas at
Arlington
1. A researcher is designing a study to test the efficacy of a new wound dressing compared to
the standard of care. What is the primary distinguishing characteristic of a true experimental
design in this scenario?
A. The inclusion of a pre-test and post-test measurement for all subjects.
B. Random assignment of participants to either the experimental or control group.
C. The use of a large sample size to ensure statistical power.
D. Ensuring that the researcher is blinded to the treatment groups.
Answer: B
Rationale: A true experimental design must include manipulation, control, and
randomization. Random assignment is the specific mechanism that helps eliminate bias and
ensures that groups are equivalent at the start of the study. This is the gold standard for
establishing a cause-and-effect relationship in quantitative research.
2. In a qualitative study exploring the ‘lived experience’ of patients surviving a myocardial
infarction, which methodological approach is most appropriate?
A. Phenomenology
,B. Ethnography
C. Grounded Theory
D. Case Study
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenomenology focuses on describing the meaning of a lived experience for
several individuals. The researcher aims to understand the ‘essence’ of the phenomenon
from the participants’ perspective. This differs from Grounded Theory, which aims to
develop a theory, or Ethnography, which focuses on cultural patterns.
3. A nurse researcher uses a scale to measure patient weight. If the scale consistently reports
a weight that is 2 pounds heavier than the actual weight, the scale is:
A. Reliable but not valid.
B. Valid but not reliable.
C. Both reliable and valid.
D. Neither reliable nor valid.
Answer: A
Rationale: Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure, while validity refers to the
accuracy of the measure. Because the scale consistently gives the same (incorrect) reading,
it is reliable. However, because it does not measure the true weight accurately, it lacks
validity.
, 4. Which type of sampling method is most likely to result in a representative sample of a
specific population?
A. Convenience sampling
B. Probability sampling
C. Snowball sampling
D. Purposive sampling
Answer: B
Rationale: Probability sampling involves random selection, which ensures every member
of the population has an equal chance of being included. This minimizes selection bias and
enhances the generalizability of the findings to the larger population. Non-probability
methods like convenience sampling are prone to bias and may not reflect the population
accurately.
5. A researcher sets the alpha level at 0.05. After data analysis, the p-value is determined to
be 0.02. What should the researcher conclude?
A. Fail to reject the null hypothesis.
B. The study has a Type I error.
C. Accept the null hypothesis; there is no significant difference.
D. Reject the null hypothesis; the results are statistically significant.
Answer: D
