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BURNS AND GROVE'S THE PRACTICE OF NURSING RESEARCH:
APPRAISAL, SYNTHESIS, AND GENERATION OF EVIDENCE, 9TH
EDITION (GRAY & GROVE EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION 2026 -
2027
Burns and Grove's The Practice of Nursing Research: Appraisal, Synthesis, and
Generation of Evidence, 9th Edition (Gray & Grove
Summarized 10-Point Exam Coverage
Based on the Gray & Grove 9th Edition table of contents, this exam covers the following
ten core domains:
1. Introduction to Nursing Research: Discovering nursing research, evolution of
evidence-based practice, quantitative and qualitative research introductions.
2. The Research Process: Foundations: Research problems, purposes,
objectives, questions, hypotheses, and variables.
3. Literature Review, Frameworks, and Ethics: Reviewing relevant literature,
theoretical frameworks, and ethical principles in research.
4. Quantitative Research Methods: Noninterventional and interventional designs,
outcomes research, and mixed methods.
5. Qualitative Research Methods: Qualitative research designs including
phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case study.
6. Sampling and Measurement: Sampling methods, quantitative measurement
concepts, and measurement methods for EBP.
7. Evidence-Based Health Care: Critical appraisal of studies, evidence synthesis,
and implementation strategies.
8. Data Collection and Statistical Analysis: Data collection, descriptive
statistics, examining relationships, prediction, and determining differences.
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9. Interpreting and Disseminating Research: Interpreting research outcomes and
disseminating findings.
10. Proposal Development and Funding: Writing research proposals and seeking
funding.
Section 1: Introduction to Nursing Research (Questions 1–40)
Chapter 1: Discovering the World of Nursing Research (Questions 1–12)
1. A nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is working on a medical-surgical
unit and wants to contribute to the research process. Which of the following activities
best describes the role a BSN-prepared nurse can fulfill in research?
A. Independently designing and conducting a randomized controlled trial
B. Serving as a data collector and implementing evidence-based protocols in practice
C. Serving as the principal investigator for a large multi-site study
D. Developing new statistical methods for analyzing nursing data
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: BSN-prepared nurses are prepared to participate in research by
implementing evidence-based protocols, collecting data, and identifying clinical
problems. They are not typically prepared to serve as principal investigators for large
studies, which usually requires doctoral preparation.
2. Which of the following statements best describes the primary purpose of nursing
research?
A. To prove that nursing is a profession
B. To generate new knowledge that informs and improves nursing practice
C. To replace clinical judgment with statistical analysis
D. To increase the administrative efficiency of healthcare organizations
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of nursing research is to generate new knowledge that
informs and improves nursing practice, patient outcomes, and the delivery of
healthcare services. It is not intended to replace clinical judgment.
3. A nurse researcher is exploring the lived experiences of patients who have recently
been diagnosed with cancer. Which type of research is this nurse conducting?
A. Quantitative research
B. Qualitative research
C. Outcomes research
D. Mixed methods research
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Qualitative research is a systematic, subjective approach used to describe
life experiences and give them meaning. Exploring the "lived experiences" of patients is
a classic qualitative research focus.
4. Which of the following is a key characteristic that distinguishes quantitative research
from qualitative research?
A. Quantitative research uses subjective data, while qualitative research uses objective
data.
B. Quantitative research focuses on depth and meaning, while qualitative research
focuses on numbers.
C. Quantitative research uses numerical data and statistical analysis, while qualitative
research explores human experiences.
D. Quantitative research is always experimental, while qualitative research is always
non-experimental.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Quantitative research is a formal, objective, systematic process that uses
numerical data and statistical analysis to test hypotheses and examine relationships.
Qualitative research is a systematic, subjective approach used to describe life
experiences and give them meaning.
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5. Which of the following best describes the concept of evidence-based practice (EBP)?
A. Using only randomized controlled trials to guide clinical decisions
B. A combination of the best research evidence, clinical expertise, and the needs and
values of patients
C. Following tradition and intuition to guide nursing practice
D. Using only expert opinion to guide clinical decisions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based practice is the conscientious integration of the best
available research evidence with clinical expertise and the patient's values and
preferences. It is not limited to a single type of research or expert opinion.
6. A nurse is reading a research article and wants to determine if the findings are
applicable to their patient population. Which of the following should the nurse consider
first?
A. The statistical significance of the findings
B. The reputation of the journal that published the study
C. The characteristics of the study sample and how they compare to the nurse's
patients
D. The number of references cited in the article
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When appraising research for application to practice, the nurse should first
consider the generalizability of the findings, which is determined by how well the study
sample represents the nurse's patient population.
7. Which of the following research roles involves translating research findings into
practice and evaluating the outcomes of evidence-based interventions?
A. Principal investigator
B. Research consumer
C. Clinical nurse researcher
D. Data collector
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The clinical nurse researcher is responsible for translating research findings
BURNS AND GROVE'S THE PRACTICE OF NURSING RESEARCH:
APPRAISAL, SYNTHESIS, AND GENERATION OF EVIDENCE, 9TH
EDITION (GRAY & GROVE EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION 2026 -
2027
Burns and Grove's The Practice of Nursing Research: Appraisal, Synthesis, and
Generation of Evidence, 9th Edition (Gray & Grove
Summarized 10-Point Exam Coverage
Based on the Gray & Grove 9th Edition table of contents, this exam covers the following
ten core domains:
1. Introduction to Nursing Research: Discovering nursing research, evolution of
evidence-based practice, quantitative and qualitative research introductions.
2. The Research Process: Foundations: Research problems, purposes,
objectives, questions, hypotheses, and variables.
3. Literature Review, Frameworks, and Ethics: Reviewing relevant literature,
theoretical frameworks, and ethical principles in research.
4. Quantitative Research Methods: Noninterventional and interventional designs,
outcomes research, and mixed methods.
5. Qualitative Research Methods: Qualitative research designs including
phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case study.
6. Sampling and Measurement: Sampling methods, quantitative measurement
concepts, and measurement methods for EBP.
7. Evidence-Based Health Care: Critical appraisal of studies, evidence synthesis,
and implementation strategies.
8. Data Collection and Statistical Analysis: Data collection, descriptive
statistics, examining relationships, prediction, and determining differences.
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9. Interpreting and Disseminating Research: Interpreting research outcomes and
disseminating findings.
10. Proposal Development and Funding: Writing research proposals and seeking
funding.
Section 1: Introduction to Nursing Research (Questions 1–40)
Chapter 1: Discovering the World of Nursing Research (Questions 1–12)
1. A nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is working on a medical-surgical
unit and wants to contribute to the research process. Which of the following activities
best describes the role a BSN-prepared nurse can fulfill in research?
A. Independently designing and conducting a randomized controlled trial
B. Serving as a data collector and implementing evidence-based protocols in practice
C. Serving as the principal investigator for a large multi-site study
D. Developing new statistical methods for analyzing nursing data
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: BSN-prepared nurses are prepared to participate in research by
implementing evidence-based protocols, collecting data, and identifying clinical
problems. They are not typically prepared to serve as principal investigators for large
studies, which usually requires doctoral preparation.
2. Which of the following statements best describes the primary purpose of nursing
research?
A. To prove that nursing is a profession
B. To generate new knowledge that informs and improves nursing practice
C. To replace clinical judgment with statistical analysis
D. To increase the administrative efficiency of healthcare organizations
, Page 3 of 102
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary purpose of nursing research is to generate new knowledge that
informs and improves nursing practice, patient outcomes, and the delivery of
healthcare services. It is not intended to replace clinical judgment.
3. A nurse researcher is exploring the lived experiences of patients who have recently
been diagnosed with cancer. Which type of research is this nurse conducting?
A. Quantitative research
B. Qualitative research
C. Outcomes research
D. Mixed methods research
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Qualitative research is a systematic, subjective approach used to describe
life experiences and give them meaning. Exploring the "lived experiences" of patients is
a classic qualitative research focus.
4. Which of the following is a key characteristic that distinguishes quantitative research
from qualitative research?
A. Quantitative research uses subjective data, while qualitative research uses objective
data.
B. Quantitative research focuses on depth and meaning, while qualitative research
focuses on numbers.
C. Quantitative research uses numerical data and statistical analysis, while qualitative
research explores human experiences.
D. Quantitative research is always experimental, while qualitative research is always
non-experimental.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Quantitative research is a formal, objective, systematic process that uses
numerical data and statistical analysis to test hypotheses and examine relationships.
Qualitative research is a systematic, subjective approach used to describe life
experiences and give them meaning.
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5. Which of the following best describes the concept of evidence-based practice (EBP)?
A. Using only randomized controlled trials to guide clinical decisions
B. A combination of the best research evidence, clinical expertise, and the needs and
values of patients
C. Following tradition and intuition to guide nursing practice
D. Using only expert opinion to guide clinical decisions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based practice is the conscientious integration of the best
available research evidence with clinical expertise and the patient's values and
preferences. It is not limited to a single type of research or expert opinion.
6. A nurse is reading a research article and wants to determine if the findings are
applicable to their patient population. Which of the following should the nurse consider
first?
A. The statistical significance of the findings
B. The reputation of the journal that published the study
C. The characteristics of the study sample and how they compare to the nurse's
patients
D. The number of references cited in the article
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When appraising research for application to practice, the nurse should first
consider the generalizability of the findings, which is determined by how well the study
sample represents the nurse's patient population.
7. Which of the following research roles involves translating research findings into
practice and evaluating the outcomes of evidence-based interventions?
A. Principal investigator
B. Research consumer
C. Clinical nurse researcher
D. Data collector
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The clinical nurse researcher is responsible for translating research findings
