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NURSING RESEARCH IN CANADA EXAM WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Nursing Research in Canada
SECTION 1: THE ROLE OF RESEARCH IN NURSING (Questions 1–25)
1. A key step to the development of nursing research was:
A. the endowment of nursing research chairs.
B. universities offering baccalaureate nursing programs.
C. a baccalaureate degree becoming the entry to practice.
D. the Canadian Nurses Association developing a research mandate.
Rationale: Universities offering baccalaureate nursing programs provided an introduction to
research within the BScN programs and led to further nursing education at the MSN and PhD
levels. Endowment of nursing research chairs did not occur until the number of nurses with PhD
degrees increased. Baccalaureate degrees becoming the entry to practice did not occur until the
twenty-first century. The Canadian Nurses Association did not develop a research mandate until
the end of the twentieth century.
2. How is nursing research significant to the profession of nursing?
A. Responsibility is more specifically defined.
B. Liability within the practice of nursing is decreased.
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C. A specialized body of knowledge is generated for use in the delivery of health care.
D. The scope of nursing practice is expanded into areas formerly reserved for other disciplines.
Rationale: Theory-based nursing research provides a foundation for evidence-informed nursing
care. Research aids in documenting accountability of nurses, but professional guidelines
regarding responsibility already exist. Liability is a legal concept; research does not promote
liability. Nursing research expands the discipline of nursing as it pertains to nursing practice.
3. The primary purpose of nursing research is to:
A. document the cost-effectiveness of nursing care.
B. ensure credibility of the nursing profession.
C. provide accountability for the nursing profession.
D. generate knowledge to guide nursing practice.
Rationale: The primary purpose of nursing research is to generate a specialized body of
knowledge to guide nursing practice and improve patient outcomes. While documenting cost-
effectiveness, ensuring credibility, and providing accountability may be benefits, they are not
the primary purpose.
4. Evidence-informed practice in nursing is best described as:
A. the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values.
B. the application of research findings without consideration of individual patient needs.
C. following established protocols without question.
D. using only the most recent research studies regardless of quality.
Rationale: Evidence-informed practice integrates the best available research evidence with
clinical expertise and patient preferences and values. It requires consideration of individual
patient needs and circumstances, encourages critical thinking, and requires evaluation of
research quality.
5. Which level of evidence is considered the strongest for guiding nursing practice?
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A. Expert opinion
B. Case-control studies
C. Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials
D. Descriptive studies
Rationale: Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials are considered the strongest level
of evidence because they synthesize findings from multiple rigorous studies. Expert opinion,
case-control studies, and descriptive studies provide weaker levels of evidence.
6. Why are nursing practice-oriented scientific investigations valuable?
A. They validate the effectiveness of particular nursing interventions.
B. They encourage consumers to question the quality of health care.
C. They limit the theory base for clinical decision making.
D. They mandate health care reform.
Rationale: Practice-focused research supports the effectiveness of nursing interventions and
reinforces quality of nursing care. It helps reassure consumers about the quality of health care
and supports the development of the theory base.
7. Which historical event significantly influenced the development of nursing research in
Canada?
A. The founding of the Canadian Nurses Association
B. The establishment of the first nursing PhD program in Canada
C. The publication of the Weir Report
D. The creation of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Rationale: The Weir Report (1932) was a landmark document that recommended significant
reforms in nursing education in Canada, including the establishment of university-based nursing
programs that introduced research training.
8. What is research utilization in nursing?
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A. The process of conducting original research studies
B. The use of research findings to guide clinical decision-making
C. The publication of research findings in academic journals
D. The evaluation of research quality by peers
Rationale: Research utilization refers to the use of research findings to guide clinical decision-
making and improve patient care. It involves translating research evidence into practice.
9. Which statement best describes the relationship between theory, research, and practice in
nursing?
A. Theory is unrelated to research and practice
B. Research generates theory, which guides practice, and practice generates questions for
research
C. Practice should be based solely on tradition
D. Theory replaces the need for research
Rationale: Theory, research, and practice are interconnected. Research generates and tests
theory, theory guides practice, and practice generates questions for further research.
10. Why do nurses who do not conduct research need to understand the nursing research
process?
A. To be able to conduct research independently
B. To be able to evaluate and apply research findings to their practice
C. To replace the need for formal education
D. To avoid using evidence in practice
Rationale: All nurses need to understand the research process to critically evaluate research
findings and apply evidence to their practice. This is essential for evidence-informed practice.
11. When a change in nursing practice results in decreased cost of care, what additional factor
must be considered before general implementation of this change?
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NURSING RESEARCH IN CANADA EXAM WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Nursing Research in Canada
SECTION 1: THE ROLE OF RESEARCH IN NURSING (Questions 1–25)
1. A key step to the development of nursing research was:
A. the endowment of nursing research chairs.
B. universities offering baccalaureate nursing programs.
C. a baccalaureate degree becoming the entry to practice.
D. the Canadian Nurses Association developing a research mandate.
Rationale: Universities offering baccalaureate nursing programs provided an introduction to
research within the BScN programs and led to further nursing education at the MSN and PhD
levels. Endowment of nursing research chairs did not occur until the number of nurses with PhD
degrees increased. Baccalaureate degrees becoming the entry to practice did not occur until the
twenty-first century. The Canadian Nurses Association did not develop a research mandate until
the end of the twentieth century.
2. How is nursing research significant to the profession of nursing?
A. Responsibility is more specifically defined.
B. Liability within the practice of nursing is decreased.
1|Page
,Page 2 of 75
C. A specialized body of knowledge is generated for use in the delivery of health care.
D. The scope of nursing practice is expanded into areas formerly reserved for other disciplines.
Rationale: Theory-based nursing research provides a foundation for evidence-informed nursing
care. Research aids in documenting accountability of nurses, but professional guidelines
regarding responsibility already exist. Liability is a legal concept; research does not promote
liability. Nursing research expands the discipline of nursing as it pertains to nursing practice.
3. The primary purpose of nursing research is to:
A. document the cost-effectiveness of nursing care.
B. ensure credibility of the nursing profession.
C. provide accountability for the nursing profession.
D. generate knowledge to guide nursing practice.
Rationale: The primary purpose of nursing research is to generate a specialized body of
knowledge to guide nursing practice and improve patient outcomes. While documenting cost-
effectiveness, ensuring credibility, and providing accountability may be benefits, they are not
the primary purpose.
4. Evidence-informed practice in nursing is best described as:
A. the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values.
B. the application of research findings without consideration of individual patient needs.
C. following established protocols without question.
D. using only the most recent research studies regardless of quality.
Rationale: Evidence-informed practice integrates the best available research evidence with
clinical expertise and patient preferences and values. It requires consideration of individual
patient needs and circumstances, encourages critical thinking, and requires evaluation of
research quality.
5. Which level of evidence is considered the strongest for guiding nursing practice?
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,Page 3 of 75
A. Expert opinion
B. Case-control studies
C. Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials
D. Descriptive studies
Rationale: Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials are considered the strongest level
of evidence because they synthesize findings from multiple rigorous studies. Expert opinion,
case-control studies, and descriptive studies provide weaker levels of evidence.
6. Why are nursing practice-oriented scientific investigations valuable?
A. They validate the effectiveness of particular nursing interventions.
B. They encourage consumers to question the quality of health care.
C. They limit the theory base for clinical decision making.
D. They mandate health care reform.
Rationale: Practice-focused research supports the effectiveness of nursing interventions and
reinforces quality of nursing care. It helps reassure consumers about the quality of health care
and supports the development of the theory base.
7. Which historical event significantly influenced the development of nursing research in
Canada?
A. The founding of the Canadian Nurses Association
B. The establishment of the first nursing PhD program in Canada
C. The publication of the Weir Report
D. The creation of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Rationale: The Weir Report (1932) was a landmark document that recommended significant
reforms in nursing education in Canada, including the establishment of university-based nursing
programs that introduced research training.
8. What is research utilization in nursing?
3|Page
, Page 4 of 75
A. The process of conducting original research studies
B. The use of research findings to guide clinical decision-making
C. The publication of research findings in academic journals
D. The evaluation of research quality by peers
Rationale: Research utilization refers to the use of research findings to guide clinical decision-
making and improve patient care. It involves translating research evidence into practice.
9. Which statement best describes the relationship between theory, research, and practice in
nursing?
A. Theory is unrelated to research and practice
B. Research generates theory, which guides practice, and practice generates questions for
research
C. Practice should be based solely on tradition
D. Theory replaces the need for research
Rationale: Theory, research, and practice are interconnected. Research generates and tests
theory, theory guides practice, and practice generates questions for further research.
10. Why do nurses who do not conduct research need to understand the nursing research
process?
A. To be able to conduct research independently
B. To be able to evaluate and apply research findings to their practice
C. To replace the need for formal education
D. To avoid using evidence in practice
Rationale: All nurses need to understand the research process to critically evaluate research
findings and apply evidence to their practice. This is essential for evidence-informed practice.
11. When a change in nursing practice results in decreased cost of care, what additional factor
must be considered before general implementation of this change?
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