NSG 324A Exam 2 V2 | NSG 324A
Research and Evidence-Based Practice |
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NSG324A
Exam 2) | Grand Canyon University
1. Which components comprise a well-formulated PICOT question? (Select All That Apply)
A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Comparison
D. Outcome
E. Time
F. Statistical Power
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Explanation: A clinical question must follow the PICOT format to ensure it is searchable
and focused. The elements include Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and
Timeframe. Statistical power is a concept related to sample size in quantitative analysis,
not a component of the initial clinical question formulation.
2. A nurse researcher is evaluating the hierarchy of evidence. Which type of study is
considered the ‘gold standard’ for testing the effects of an intervention?
A. Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
,B. Case-control study
C. Expert opinion
D. Qualitative meta-synthesis
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) is considered the highest level of
primary research evidence because it minimizes bias through randomization and control
groups. In the hierarchy of evidence, Level II is typically occupied by individual RCTs, while
Level I consists of systematic reviews or meta-analyses of RCTs. Understanding this
hierarchy is essential for selecting the best available evidence to guide nursing practice.
3. What is the primary purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) in the research
process?
A. To ensure the research is funded adequately
B. To check for grammatical errors in the manuscript
C. To protect the rights and welfare of human subjects
D. To guarantee that the research results are statistically significant
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The IRB’s fundamental mission is the ethical oversight of research involving
human participants. They review protocols to ensure that risks to subjects are minimized
, and that informed consent is obtained appropriately. This oversight is a regulatory
requirement derived from ethical principles such as the Belmont Report.
4. A nurse is conducting a study on the ‘lived experience’ of parents whose children have
chronic illnesses. Which qualitative research tradition is being used?
A. Phenomenology
B. Ethnography
C. Grounded Theory
D. Historical Research
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Phenomenology focuses on describing the meaning of a lived experience for
several individuals who have experienced a specific phenomenon. This methodology seeks
to understand the ‘essence’ of the experience from the participant’s perspective. It is
distinct from Grounded Theory, which aims to develop a theory, and Ethnography, which
focuses on culture.
5. In quantitative research, what does a p-value of < 0.05 typically indicate?
A. The results are statistically significant
B. The null hypothesis should be accepted
C. There is a 5% chance the results are due to random error
D. The results are not clinically significant
Research and Evidence-Based Practice |
Actual Q&A with Rationale (NSG324A
Exam 2) | Grand Canyon University
1. Which components comprise a well-formulated PICOT question? (Select All That Apply)
A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Comparison
D. Outcome
E. Time
F. Statistical Power
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E
Explanation: A clinical question must follow the PICOT format to ensure it is searchable
and focused. The elements include Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and
Timeframe. Statistical power is a concept related to sample size in quantitative analysis,
not a component of the initial clinical question formulation.
2. A nurse researcher is evaluating the hierarchy of evidence. Which type of study is
considered the ‘gold standard’ for testing the effects of an intervention?
A. Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
,B. Case-control study
C. Expert opinion
D. Qualitative meta-synthesis
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) is considered the highest level of
primary research evidence because it minimizes bias through randomization and control
groups. In the hierarchy of evidence, Level II is typically occupied by individual RCTs, while
Level I consists of systematic reviews or meta-analyses of RCTs. Understanding this
hierarchy is essential for selecting the best available evidence to guide nursing practice.
3. What is the primary purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) in the research
process?
A. To ensure the research is funded adequately
B. To check for grammatical errors in the manuscript
C. To protect the rights and welfare of human subjects
D. To guarantee that the research results are statistically significant
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The IRB’s fundamental mission is the ethical oversight of research involving
human participants. They review protocols to ensure that risks to subjects are minimized
, and that informed consent is obtained appropriately. This oversight is a regulatory
requirement derived from ethical principles such as the Belmont Report.
4. A nurse is conducting a study on the ‘lived experience’ of parents whose children have
chronic illnesses. Which qualitative research tradition is being used?
A. Phenomenology
B. Ethnography
C. Grounded Theory
D. Historical Research
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Phenomenology focuses on describing the meaning of a lived experience for
several individuals who have experienced a specific phenomenon. This methodology seeks
to understand the ‘essence’ of the experience from the participant’s perspective. It is
distinct from Grounded Theory, which aims to develop a theory, and Ethnography, which
focuses on culture.
5. In quantitative research, what does a p-value of < 0.05 typically indicate?
A. The results are statistically significant
B. The null hypothesis should be accepted
C. There is a 5% chance the results are due to random error
D. The results are not clinically significant
