NUR 505 ADVANCED NURSING
RESEARCH EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
1. In quantitative research, which process is primarily used to move from a general theory to
specific observations to test a hypothesis?
A. Inductive reasoning
B. Iterative processing
C. Abductive reasoning
D. Deductive reasoning
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Deductive reasoning is the hallmark of quantitative research,
where researchers start with a theory, develop a hypothesis, and test it through
observation.
2. According to the Level of Evidence hierarchy, which of the following represents the highest
level of evidence for a clinical intervention study?
A. A systematic review or meta-analysis of all relevant RCTs
B. A systematic review of qualitative studies
,C. A single well-designed Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
D. A well-designed cohort study
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs are considered
Level 1 evidence because they synthesize data from multiple high-quality studies to
provide the most robust evidence.
3. A researcher is studying the lived experience of mothers of children with chronic illness.
Which qualitative tradition is most appropriate for this study?
A. Grounded Theory
B. Ethnography
C. Phenomenology
D. Historical Research
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Phenomenology focuses on the ‘lived experience’ and the
essence of a phenomenon from the perspective of those who experience it.
4. When a researcher mistakenly rejects a null hypothesis that is actually true, what type of
error has occurred?
A. Type I Error
B. Type II Error
, C. Sampling Bias
D. Measurement Error
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A Type I error (alpha) occurs when the null hypothesis is
rejected when it is actually true, essentially finding a significant result by chance.
5. Which component of a PICO(T) question describes the results that the researcher is
interested in measuring?
A. P (Population)
B. O (Outcome)
C. C (Comparison)
D. I (Intervention)
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The ‘O’ in PICO(T) stands for Outcome, which represents the
specific result or effect the researcher hopes to observe or measure.
6. In the Belmont Report, the principle that requires researchers to treat individuals as
autonomous agents and protect those with diminished autonomy is:
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Non-maleficence
RESEARCH EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
1. In quantitative research, which process is primarily used to move from a general theory to
specific observations to test a hypothesis?
A. Inductive reasoning
B. Iterative processing
C. Abductive reasoning
D. Deductive reasoning
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Deductive reasoning is the hallmark of quantitative research,
where researchers start with a theory, develop a hypothesis, and test it through
observation.
2. According to the Level of Evidence hierarchy, which of the following represents the highest
level of evidence for a clinical intervention study?
A. A systematic review or meta-analysis of all relevant RCTs
B. A systematic review of qualitative studies
,C. A single well-designed Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
D. A well-designed cohort study
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs are considered
Level 1 evidence because they synthesize data from multiple high-quality studies to
provide the most robust evidence.
3. A researcher is studying the lived experience of mothers of children with chronic illness.
Which qualitative tradition is most appropriate for this study?
A. Grounded Theory
B. Ethnography
C. Phenomenology
D. Historical Research
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Phenomenology focuses on the ‘lived experience’ and the
essence of a phenomenon from the perspective of those who experience it.
4. When a researcher mistakenly rejects a null hypothesis that is actually true, what type of
error has occurred?
A. Type I Error
B. Type II Error
, C. Sampling Bias
D. Measurement Error
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: A Type I error (alpha) occurs when the null hypothesis is
rejected when it is actually true, essentially finding a significant result by chance.
5. Which component of a PICO(T) question describes the results that the researcher is
interested in measuring?
A. P (Population)
B. O (Outcome)
C. C (Comparison)
D. I (Intervention)
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The ‘O’ in PICO(T) stands for Outcome, which represents the
specific result or effect the researcher hopes to observe or measure.
6. In the Belmont Report, the principle that requires researchers to treat individuals as
autonomous agents and protect those with diminished autonomy is:
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Non-maleficence
