NURSING RESEARCH & EVIDENCE-BASED
PRACTICE EXAM – 2026 UPDATED REVIEW
Comprehensive Research and Evidence-Based
Practice Examination
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION TO NURSING
RESEARCH
1. The primary purpose of nursing research is to:
A) Validate nursing knowledge and improve patient care
B) Increase nurses' salaries
C) Reduce the need for nursing education
D) Eliminate the need for clinical judgment
Answer: A) Validate nursing knowledge and improve patient care
Rationale: Nursing research aims to generate new knowledge, validate existing knowledge, and improve
patient care outcomes through evidence-based practice. Research informs clinical decision-making and
advances the nursing profession. It does not replace clinical judgment (D) but enhances it.
2. Which type of research involves the systematic investigation of phenomena to describe, explain, or
predict?
A) Quantitative research
B) Qualitative research
C) Applied research
D) Basic research
Answer: A) Quantitative research
Rationale: Quantitative research involves the systematic investigation of phenomena using numerical
data, statistical analysis, and objective measurement. It describes, explains, predicts, and controls
,phenomena. Qualitative research (B) explores experiences and meanings. Applied research (C) solves
practical problems, while basic research (D) generates fundamental knowledge.
3. A nurse researcher is studying the lived experiences of patients with chronic pain. This type of
research is:
A) Quantitative research
B) Qualitative research
C) Experimental research
D) Correlational research
Answer: B) Qualitative research
Rationale: Qualitative research explores lived experiences, meanings, and perspectives. Phenomenology
is a qualitative approach that studies the essence of lived experiences. Quantitative research (A) uses
numerical data. Experimental research (C) tests cause-and-effect relationships. Correlational research (D)
examines relationships between variables.
4. The nurse researcher is developing a research question. Which component is essential in a well-
formed research question?
A) PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome)
B) Only the population
C) Only the intervention
D) Only the outcome
Answer: A) PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome)
Rationale: A well-formed research question includes PICO components: Population (who), Intervention
(what), Comparison (alternative), and Outcome (result). This framework helps structure the research
question and guide the literature search. PICO is used in evidence-based practice to formulate clinical
questions.
5. The nurse is reviewing a research article. The section that explains why the study was conducted is
the:
A) Abstract
B) Introduction
C) Methods
D) Results
,Answer: B) Introduction
Rationale: The introduction provides background information, explains the purpose of the study, and
states the research question or hypothesis. The abstract (A) is a brief summary. The methods (C) describe
how the study was conducted, and the results (D) present the findings.
6. A nurse is evaluating a research study for its relevance to clinical practice. The nurse should
consider:
A) The study's sample size
B) The study's methodology
C) The study's findings and applicability
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Evaluating research for clinical practice involves considering the sample size, methodology,
findings, and applicability to the patient population. The nurse should assess the study's validity,
reliability, and relevance. Evidence-based practice requires critical appraisal of research.
7. Which type of research design is considered the gold standard for testing cause-and-effect
relationships?
A) Descriptive study
B) Correlational study
C) Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
D) Case study
Answer: C) Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Rationale: The RCT is considered the gold standard for testing cause-and-effect relationships because it
uses randomization, control groups, and manipulation of the independent variable. It minimizes bias and
provides the strongest evidence for causality. Descriptive (A) and correlational (B) studies do not
establish causality.
8. A nurse researcher is studying the effect of a new wound care protocol on healing time. The
independent variable is:
A) The wound care protocol
B) Healing time
C) The patients' age
, D) The patients' gender
Answer: A) The wound care protocol
Rationale: The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher. In
this study, the new wound care protocol is the independent variable. Healing time is the dependent
variable (B). Age (C) and gender (D) are demographic variables that may be controlled or measured.
9. The dependent variable in the wound care study is:
A) The wound care protocol
B) Healing time
C) The patients' age
D) The patients' gender
Answer: B) Healing time
Rationale: The dependent variable is the outcome that is measured and is expected to change as a result
of the independent variable. In this study, healing time is the dependent variable. The independent
variable (A) is manipulated. Age (C) and gender (D) are demographic variables.
10. A nurse is reading a research article and notes that the study used a convenience sample. Which
statement is true about convenience sampling?
A) It is a type of probability sampling
B) It is a type of non-probability sampling
C) It is the most rigorous sampling method
D) It eliminates bias
Answer: B) It is a type of non-probability sampling
Rationale: Convenience sampling is a non-probability sampling method where participants are selected
based on availability and accessibility. It is less rigorous than probability sampling (A) and may introduce
bias (D). It is commonly used in nursing research due to practical constraints.
SECTION 2: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
11. A nurse researcher is planning a study to explore the experiences of patients with newly
diagnosed diabetes. Which qualitative research design is most appropriate?
A) Phenomenology
B) Experimental design
C) Quasi-experimental design
PRACTICE EXAM – 2026 UPDATED REVIEW
Comprehensive Research and Evidence-Based
Practice Examination
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION TO NURSING
RESEARCH
1. The primary purpose of nursing research is to:
A) Validate nursing knowledge and improve patient care
B) Increase nurses' salaries
C) Reduce the need for nursing education
D) Eliminate the need for clinical judgment
Answer: A) Validate nursing knowledge and improve patient care
Rationale: Nursing research aims to generate new knowledge, validate existing knowledge, and improve
patient care outcomes through evidence-based practice. Research informs clinical decision-making and
advances the nursing profession. It does not replace clinical judgment (D) but enhances it.
2. Which type of research involves the systematic investigation of phenomena to describe, explain, or
predict?
A) Quantitative research
B) Qualitative research
C) Applied research
D) Basic research
Answer: A) Quantitative research
Rationale: Quantitative research involves the systematic investigation of phenomena using numerical
data, statistical analysis, and objective measurement. It describes, explains, predicts, and controls
,phenomena. Qualitative research (B) explores experiences and meanings. Applied research (C) solves
practical problems, while basic research (D) generates fundamental knowledge.
3. A nurse researcher is studying the lived experiences of patients with chronic pain. This type of
research is:
A) Quantitative research
B) Qualitative research
C) Experimental research
D) Correlational research
Answer: B) Qualitative research
Rationale: Qualitative research explores lived experiences, meanings, and perspectives. Phenomenology
is a qualitative approach that studies the essence of lived experiences. Quantitative research (A) uses
numerical data. Experimental research (C) tests cause-and-effect relationships. Correlational research (D)
examines relationships between variables.
4. The nurse researcher is developing a research question. Which component is essential in a well-
formed research question?
A) PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome)
B) Only the population
C) Only the intervention
D) Only the outcome
Answer: A) PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome)
Rationale: A well-formed research question includes PICO components: Population (who), Intervention
(what), Comparison (alternative), and Outcome (result). This framework helps structure the research
question and guide the literature search. PICO is used in evidence-based practice to formulate clinical
questions.
5. The nurse is reviewing a research article. The section that explains why the study was conducted is
the:
A) Abstract
B) Introduction
C) Methods
D) Results
,Answer: B) Introduction
Rationale: The introduction provides background information, explains the purpose of the study, and
states the research question or hypothesis. The abstract (A) is a brief summary. The methods (C) describe
how the study was conducted, and the results (D) present the findings.
6. A nurse is evaluating a research study for its relevance to clinical practice. The nurse should
consider:
A) The study's sample size
B) The study's methodology
C) The study's findings and applicability
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Evaluating research for clinical practice involves considering the sample size, methodology,
findings, and applicability to the patient population. The nurse should assess the study's validity,
reliability, and relevance. Evidence-based practice requires critical appraisal of research.
7. Which type of research design is considered the gold standard for testing cause-and-effect
relationships?
A) Descriptive study
B) Correlational study
C) Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
D) Case study
Answer: C) Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Rationale: The RCT is considered the gold standard for testing cause-and-effect relationships because it
uses randomization, control groups, and manipulation of the independent variable. It minimizes bias and
provides the strongest evidence for causality. Descriptive (A) and correlational (B) studies do not
establish causality.
8. A nurse researcher is studying the effect of a new wound care protocol on healing time. The
independent variable is:
A) The wound care protocol
B) Healing time
C) The patients' age
, D) The patients' gender
Answer: A) The wound care protocol
Rationale: The independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or changed by the researcher. In
this study, the new wound care protocol is the independent variable. Healing time is the dependent
variable (B). Age (C) and gender (D) are demographic variables that may be controlled or measured.
9. The dependent variable in the wound care study is:
A) The wound care protocol
B) Healing time
C) The patients' age
D) The patients' gender
Answer: B) Healing time
Rationale: The dependent variable is the outcome that is measured and is expected to change as a result
of the independent variable. In this study, healing time is the dependent variable. The independent
variable (A) is manipulated. Age (C) and gender (D) are demographic variables.
10. A nurse is reading a research article and notes that the study used a convenience sample. Which
statement is true about convenience sampling?
A) It is a type of probability sampling
B) It is a type of non-probability sampling
C) It is the most rigorous sampling method
D) It eliminates bias
Answer: B) It is a type of non-probability sampling
Rationale: Convenience sampling is a non-probability sampling method where participants are selected
based on availability and accessibility. It is less rigorous than probability sampling (A) and may introduce
bias (D). It is commonly used in nursing research due to practical constraints.
SECTION 2: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
11. A nurse researcher is planning a study to explore the experiences of patients with newly
diagnosed diabetes. Which qualitative research design is most appropriate?
A) Phenomenology
B) Experimental design
C) Quasi-experimental design
