BSN3A Nursing Research Exam Practice Questions & [Verified
Answers], Plus Explained Rationales | 2026 Latest Update | Instant
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Questions 1–200
1. Nursing research is best defined as:
A) A process of gathering information for administrative purposes
B) A systematic, rigorous, and logical inquiry to develop knowledge
about nursing phenomena
C) An informal method of problem-solving
D) A way of documenting clinical practice
Answer B: A systematic, rigorous, and logical inquiry to develop
knowledge about nursing phenomena
,Rationale: Nursing research generates knowledge through systematic
investigation.
2. The first nursing researcher to collect data on patient outcomes
was:
A) Virginia Henderson
B) Florence Nightingale
C) Dorothea Orem
D) Hildegard Peplau
Answer B: Florence Nightingale
Rationale: Nightingale used statistical data to improve sanitation and
patient outcomes during the Crimean War.
3. The two major paradigms in nursing research are:
A) Positivism and Constructivism
B) Quantitative and Qualitative
C) Deductive and Inductive
D) Empirical and Theoretical
Answer A: Positivism and Constructivism
,Rationale: Positivism underpins quantitative research; constructivism
underpins qualitative research.
4. Which research paradigm assumes that reality is objective and
can be measured?
A) Positivism
B) Constructivism
C) Critical theory
D) Pragmatism
Answer A: Positivism
Rationale: Positivism assumes an objective, measurable reality that
exists independent of human perception.
5. Which research paradigm assumes that reality is subjective and
socially constructed?
A) Positivism
B) Constructivism
C) Critical theory
D) Empiricism
, Answer B: Constructivism
Rationale: Constructivism views reality as multiple, subjective, and
constructed through social interaction.
6. The steps of the research process are:
A) Identifying a problem, reviewing literature, designing the study,
collecting data, analyzing data, and disseminating findings
B) Identifying a problem, collecting data, and writing a report
C) Collecting data, analyzing data, and publishing
D) Reviewing literature, designing a study, and implementing
Answer A: Identifying a problem, reviewing literature, designing the
study, collecting data, analyzing data, and disseminating findings
Rationale: The research process follows a systematic sequence of
steps.
7. A research problem is:
A) An area of concern or gap in knowledge that requires investigation
B) The final answer to a research question
C) The hypothesis
Answers], Plus Explained Rationales | 2026 Latest Update | Instant
Download PDF
Questions 1–200
1. Nursing research is best defined as:
A) A process of gathering information for administrative purposes
B) A systematic, rigorous, and logical inquiry to develop knowledge
about nursing phenomena
C) An informal method of problem-solving
D) A way of documenting clinical practice
Answer B: A systematic, rigorous, and logical inquiry to develop
knowledge about nursing phenomena
,Rationale: Nursing research generates knowledge through systematic
investigation.
2. The first nursing researcher to collect data on patient outcomes
was:
A) Virginia Henderson
B) Florence Nightingale
C) Dorothea Orem
D) Hildegard Peplau
Answer B: Florence Nightingale
Rationale: Nightingale used statistical data to improve sanitation and
patient outcomes during the Crimean War.
3. The two major paradigms in nursing research are:
A) Positivism and Constructivism
B) Quantitative and Qualitative
C) Deductive and Inductive
D) Empirical and Theoretical
Answer A: Positivism and Constructivism
,Rationale: Positivism underpins quantitative research; constructivism
underpins qualitative research.
4. Which research paradigm assumes that reality is objective and
can be measured?
A) Positivism
B) Constructivism
C) Critical theory
D) Pragmatism
Answer A: Positivism
Rationale: Positivism assumes an objective, measurable reality that
exists independent of human perception.
5. Which research paradigm assumes that reality is subjective and
socially constructed?
A) Positivism
B) Constructivism
C) Critical theory
D) Empiricism
, Answer B: Constructivism
Rationale: Constructivism views reality as multiple, subjective, and
constructed through social interaction.
6. The steps of the research process are:
A) Identifying a problem, reviewing literature, designing the study,
collecting data, analyzing data, and disseminating findings
B) Identifying a problem, collecting data, and writing a report
C) Collecting data, analyzing data, and publishing
D) Reviewing literature, designing a study, and implementing
Answer A: Identifying a problem, reviewing literature, designing the
study, collecting data, analyzing data, and disseminating findings
Rationale: The research process follows a systematic sequence of
steps.
7. A research problem is:
A) An area of concern or gap in knowledge that requires investigation
B) The final answer to a research question
C) The hypothesis
