NUR 3165 – Nursing Research: Research Critique
Practice Exam Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) with Rationales 2025
1. What is the primary purpose of a research critique in nursing?
A. To identify grammatical errors
B. To evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a study
C. To create a new study from existing research
D. To replicate a study's results
Critiquing allows nurses to assess the validity, reliability, and
applicability of research findings to practice.
2. Which section of a research article explains the purpose and hypothesis?
A. Methods
B. Results
C. Introduction
D. Discussion
The introduction outlines the background, purpose, and hypothesis or
research question.
3. When reviewing the methodology of a study, which of the following is most
important?
A. The gender of the researcher
, B. Study design and sampling
C. Literature review summary
D. Funding source
The methodology section should clearly explain how the study was
conducted, including design and sampling, to determine credibility.
4. Which type of research is best suited to explore lived experiences?
A. Experimental
B. Phenomenological
C. Correlational
D. Quasi-experimental
Phenomenology focuses on understanding individuals’ lived
experiences.
5. What does validity in research refer to?
A. How consistent the data is
B. The accuracy of the measurement
C. The number of participants
D. The statistical analysis used
Validity refers to whether the research truly measures what it intended
to measure.
6. What is the primary concern when evaluating a study’s sample?
A. The length of the study
B. How well it represents the target population
, C. The friendliness of participants
D. The cost of data collection
A representative sample ensures that results can be generalized to the
broader population.
7. Which level of evidence is considered the most reliable?
A. Expert opinion
B. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
C. Case reports
D. Cross-sectional studies
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses synthesize multiple high-quality
studies, providing strong evidence.
8. What is a common limitation in quantitative research studies?
A. Use of numbers
B. Lack of depth in understanding human experience
C. Too many participants
D. No statistical analysis
Quantitative research may miss subjective, complex human responses.
9. Which element ensures that participants' identities are protected in
research?
A. Debriefing
B. Data saturation
C. Confidentiality
D. Generalizability
Practice Exam Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) with Rationales 2025
1. What is the primary purpose of a research critique in nursing?
A. To identify grammatical errors
B. To evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a study
C. To create a new study from existing research
D. To replicate a study's results
Critiquing allows nurses to assess the validity, reliability, and
applicability of research findings to practice.
2. Which section of a research article explains the purpose and hypothesis?
A. Methods
B. Results
C. Introduction
D. Discussion
The introduction outlines the background, purpose, and hypothesis or
research question.
3. When reviewing the methodology of a study, which of the following is most
important?
A. The gender of the researcher
, B. Study design and sampling
C. Literature review summary
D. Funding source
The methodology section should clearly explain how the study was
conducted, including design and sampling, to determine credibility.
4. Which type of research is best suited to explore lived experiences?
A. Experimental
B. Phenomenological
C. Correlational
D. Quasi-experimental
Phenomenology focuses on understanding individuals’ lived
experiences.
5. What does validity in research refer to?
A. How consistent the data is
B. The accuracy of the measurement
C. The number of participants
D. The statistical analysis used
Validity refers to whether the research truly measures what it intended
to measure.
6. What is the primary concern when evaluating a study’s sample?
A. The length of the study
B. How well it represents the target population
, C. The friendliness of participants
D. The cost of data collection
A representative sample ensures that results can be generalized to the
broader population.
7. Which level of evidence is considered the most reliable?
A. Expert opinion
B. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
C. Case reports
D. Cross-sectional studies
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses synthesize multiple high-quality
studies, providing strong evidence.
8. What is a common limitation in quantitative research studies?
A. Use of numbers
B. Lack of depth in understanding human experience
C. Too many participants
D. No statistical analysis
Quantitative research may miss subjective, complex human responses.
9. Which element ensures that participants' identities are protected in
research?
A. Debriefing
B. Data saturation
C. Confidentiality
D. Generalizability
