BSN3A Nursing Research Exam Practice
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales | 2026/2027 Latest
Update | Instant Download PDF
1. Nursing research is best defined as:
A) A systematic inquiry that uses statistical methods to solve problems
B) A scientific process that validates existing knowledge, refines existing knowledge, and
generates new knowledge
C) A review of literature on a clinical topic
D) A method of collecting patient data for clinical decision-making
Answer: B) A scientific process that validates existing knowledge, refines existing
knowledge, and generates new knowledge
Rationale: Nursing research is a systematic, rigorous process that aims to validate
existing knowledge, refine it, and generate new knowledge to guide nursing practice.
This definition encompasses the full scope of research activities .
2. Who is identified as the first nurse researcher?
A) Clara Barton
B) Dorothea Dix
C) Florence Nightingale
D) Mary Breckinridge
Answer: C) Florence Nightingale
Rationale: Florence Nightingale is recognized as the first nurse researcher. Her
systematic collection and analysis of data during the Crimean War (1854-1856)
established a foundation for evidence-based nursing practice .
,3. Which of the following is a characteristic of quantitative research?
A) Data are analyzed with statistics
B) Analysis involves individual interpretation
C) Focus is on understanding the meaning of experiences
D) Data are collected through in-depth interviews
Answer: A) Data are analyzed with statistics
Rationale: Quantitative research is characterized by the use of numeric data, statistical
analysis, and a focus on objective measurement. The basic elements of analysis are
numbers, and generalization of findings is important. Qualitative research involves
interpretation and narrative data .
4. Which type of reasoning is represented by this example: Patients with untreated
right-sided heart failure experience shortness of breath. Mr. Jones experiences
shortness of breath. Therefore, Mr. Jones has untreated right-sided heart failure?
A) Inductive reasoning
B) Deductive reasoning
C) Abductive reasoning
D) Intuitive reasoning
Answer: B) Deductive reasoning
Rationale: Deductive reasoning moves from the general to the specific. In this example,
a general premise (patients with untreated right-sided heart failure experience shortness
of breath) is applied to a specific case (Mr. Jones has shortness of breath) to draw a
conclusion .
5. Which type of reasoning moves from the specific to the general?
A) Deductive reasoning
B) Inductive reasoning
C) Abductive reasoning
D) Intuitive reasoning
Answer: B) Inductive reasoning
,Rationale: Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to general conclusions
or theories. This is characteristic of qualitative research where researchers develop
themes and theories from specific participant experiences .
6. The primary goal of a quantitative research study is best described as:
A) Subjective verification of what is unknown
B) Objective measurement, description, correlation, or prediction
C) Bringing insight into a previously unknown area of experience
D) Exploring the meaning of lived experiences
Answer: B) Objective measurement, description, correlation, or prediction
Rationale: Quantitative research aims to objectively measure variables, describe
phenomena, examine relationships between variables, and predict outcomes. It is not
subjective or interpretive; that is the domain of qualitative research .
7. In a published research report, the "research problem":
A) Declares what the researcher intends to do
B) Expresses what is known/unknown and answers why the study is needed
C) Is an interrogative statement expressing the relationship between variables
D) Specifies broad outcomes anticipated
Answer: B) Expresses what is known/unknown and answers why the study is
needed
Rationale: The research problem identifies the gap in knowledge that the study aims to
address. It articulates what is known about the phenomenon, what remains unknown,
and why investigating it is important .
8. A research question is best described as:
A) A statement of the researcher's intent
B) A summary of the literature review
C) An interrogative statement expressing the relationship between variables
D) A statement of the study's limitations
, Answer: C) An interrogative statement expressing the relationship between
variables
Rationale: A research question is an interrogative statement that specifies the variables
of interest and the relationship to be examined. It guides the study design and data
collection .
9. Research is conducted for which of the following reasons?
A) To test theory
B) To develop new knowledge
C) To generate theory
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Research serves multiple purposes: testing existing theories, developing new
knowledge, and generating new theories. These activities contribute to the
advancement of nursing science .
10. The overall "goal" of a quantitative research study may be best described as:
A) Subjective verification of what is unknown
B) Using statistics to prove that a relationship exists between variables
C) Bringing before the researcher's eyes insight into a previously unknown area of
experience or knowledge
D) Objective measurement, description, correlation, or prediction
Answer: D) Objective measurement, description, correlation, or prediction
Rationale: Quantitative research seeks to measure variables objectively, describe
phenomena, examine correlations, and make predictions. This contrasts with qualitative
goals of understanding meaning and experience .
11. Which of the following research methodologies generate nursing knowledge?
A) Outcomes research
B) Qualitative research
Questions & [Verified Answers], Plus
Explained Rationales | 2026/2027 Latest
Update | Instant Download PDF
1. Nursing research is best defined as:
A) A systematic inquiry that uses statistical methods to solve problems
B) A scientific process that validates existing knowledge, refines existing knowledge, and
generates new knowledge
C) A review of literature on a clinical topic
D) A method of collecting patient data for clinical decision-making
Answer: B) A scientific process that validates existing knowledge, refines existing
knowledge, and generates new knowledge
Rationale: Nursing research is a systematic, rigorous process that aims to validate
existing knowledge, refine it, and generate new knowledge to guide nursing practice.
This definition encompasses the full scope of research activities .
2. Who is identified as the first nurse researcher?
A) Clara Barton
B) Dorothea Dix
C) Florence Nightingale
D) Mary Breckinridge
Answer: C) Florence Nightingale
Rationale: Florence Nightingale is recognized as the first nurse researcher. Her
systematic collection and analysis of data during the Crimean War (1854-1856)
established a foundation for evidence-based nursing practice .
,3. Which of the following is a characteristic of quantitative research?
A) Data are analyzed with statistics
B) Analysis involves individual interpretation
C) Focus is on understanding the meaning of experiences
D) Data are collected through in-depth interviews
Answer: A) Data are analyzed with statistics
Rationale: Quantitative research is characterized by the use of numeric data, statistical
analysis, and a focus on objective measurement. The basic elements of analysis are
numbers, and generalization of findings is important. Qualitative research involves
interpretation and narrative data .
4. Which type of reasoning is represented by this example: Patients with untreated
right-sided heart failure experience shortness of breath. Mr. Jones experiences
shortness of breath. Therefore, Mr. Jones has untreated right-sided heart failure?
A) Inductive reasoning
B) Deductive reasoning
C) Abductive reasoning
D) Intuitive reasoning
Answer: B) Deductive reasoning
Rationale: Deductive reasoning moves from the general to the specific. In this example,
a general premise (patients with untreated right-sided heart failure experience shortness
of breath) is applied to a specific case (Mr. Jones has shortness of breath) to draw a
conclusion .
5. Which type of reasoning moves from the specific to the general?
A) Deductive reasoning
B) Inductive reasoning
C) Abductive reasoning
D) Intuitive reasoning
Answer: B) Inductive reasoning
,Rationale: Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to general conclusions
or theories. This is characteristic of qualitative research where researchers develop
themes and theories from specific participant experiences .
6. The primary goal of a quantitative research study is best described as:
A) Subjective verification of what is unknown
B) Objective measurement, description, correlation, or prediction
C) Bringing insight into a previously unknown area of experience
D) Exploring the meaning of lived experiences
Answer: B) Objective measurement, description, correlation, or prediction
Rationale: Quantitative research aims to objectively measure variables, describe
phenomena, examine relationships between variables, and predict outcomes. It is not
subjective or interpretive; that is the domain of qualitative research .
7. In a published research report, the "research problem":
A) Declares what the researcher intends to do
B) Expresses what is known/unknown and answers why the study is needed
C) Is an interrogative statement expressing the relationship between variables
D) Specifies broad outcomes anticipated
Answer: B) Expresses what is known/unknown and answers why the study is
needed
Rationale: The research problem identifies the gap in knowledge that the study aims to
address. It articulates what is known about the phenomenon, what remains unknown,
and why investigating it is important .
8. A research question is best described as:
A) A statement of the researcher's intent
B) A summary of the literature review
C) An interrogative statement expressing the relationship between variables
D) A statement of the study's limitations
, Answer: C) An interrogative statement expressing the relationship between
variables
Rationale: A research question is an interrogative statement that specifies the variables
of interest and the relationship to be examined. It guides the study design and data
collection .
9. Research is conducted for which of the following reasons?
A) To test theory
B) To develop new knowledge
C) To generate theory
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Rationale: Research serves multiple purposes: testing existing theories, developing new
knowledge, and generating new theories. These activities contribute to the
advancement of nursing science .
10. The overall "goal" of a quantitative research study may be best described as:
A) Subjective verification of what is unknown
B) Using statistics to prove that a relationship exists between variables
C) Bringing before the researcher's eyes insight into a previously unknown area of
experience or knowledge
D) Objective measurement, description, correlation, or prediction
Answer: D) Objective measurement, description, correlation, or prediction
Rationale: Quantitative research seeks to measure variables objectively, describe
phenomena, examine correlations, and make predictions. This contrasts with qualitative
goals of understanding meaning and experience .
11. Which of the following research methodologies generate nursing knowledge?
A) Outcomes research
B) Qualitative research
