1
NURSING RESEARCH & EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE EXAM –
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODS LATEST
VERSION WITH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS [2026-27]
Questions 1–25: Research Foundations & EBP
1. Nursing research is BEST defined as:
A. Quality improvement projects
B. Systematic inquiry to develop nursing knowledge
C. Literature review only
D. Clinical trial management
Answer: B
Rationale: Nursing research uses systematic methods to
generate or refine knowledge for practice.
2. Evidence-based practice (EBP) integrates:
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A. Research only
B. Clinical expertise only
C. Research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
D. Hospital policy
Answer: C
Rationale: EBP combines best evidence, clinician judgment, and
patient values.
3. Which step comes FIRST in the EBP process?
A. Appraise evidence
B. Ask a clinical question
C. Implement change
D. Evaluate outcomes
Answer: B
Rationale: EBP begins with a focused clinical question.
4. The PICOT framework includes all EXCEPT:
A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Comparison
D. Theory
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Answer: D
Rationale: PICOT = Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, Time.
5. Which source represents the HIGHEST level of evidence?
A. Expert opinion
B. Case study
C. Randomized controlled trial
D. Systematic review of RCTs
Answer: D
Rationale: Systematic reviews synthesize multiple high-quality
studies.
6. Which study design tests cause-and-effect relationships?
A. Descriptive
B. Correlational
C. Experimental
D. Qualitative
Answer: C
Rationale: Experimental designs manipulate variables to test
causality.
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7. A variable that is manipulated by the researcher is the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Extraneous variable
C. Independent variable
D. Outcome variable
Answer: C
Rationale: The independent variable is manipulated to observe
effects.
8. The outcome being measured in a study is the:
A. Independent variable
B. Control variable
C. Dependent variable
D. Confounding variable
Answer: C
Rationale: The dependent variable reflects the effect of the
intervention.
9. Which term describes factors that threaten the validity of a
study?
A. Bias
B. Reliability
NURSING RESEARCH & EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE EXAM –
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE METHODS LATEST
VERSION WITH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS [2026-27]
Questions 1–25: Research Foundations & EBP
1. Nursing research is BEST defined as:
A. Quality improvement projects
B. Systematic inquiry to develop nursing knowledge
C. Literature review only
D. Clinical trial management
Answer: B
Rationale: Nursing research uses systematic methods to
generate or refine knowledge for practice.
2. Evidence-based practice (EBP) integrates:
,2
A. Research only
B. Clinical expertise only
C. Research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences
D. Hospital policy
Answer: C
Rationale: EBP combines best evidence, clinician judgment, and
patient values.
3. Which step comes FIRST in the EBP process?
A. Appraise evidence
B. Ask a clinical question
C. Implement change
D. Evaluate outcomes
Answer: B
Rationale: EBP begins with a focused clinical question.
4. The PICOT framework includes all EXCEPT:
A. Population
B. Intervention
C. Comparison
D. Theory
,3
Answer: D
Rationale: PICOT = Population, Intervention, Comparison,
Outcome, Time.
5. Which source represents the HIGHEST level of evidence?
A. Expert opinion
B. Case study
C. Randomized controlled trial
D. Systematic review of RCTs
Answer: D
Rationale: Systematic reviews synthesize multiple high-quality
studies.
6. Which study design tests cause-and-effect relationships?
A. Descriptive
B. Correlational
C. Experimental
D. Qualitative
Answer: C
Rationale: Experimental designs manipulate variables to test
causality.
, 4
7. A variable that is manipulated by the researcher is the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Extraneous variable
C. Independent variable
D. Outcome variable
Answer: C
Rationale: The independent variable is manipulated to observe
effects.
8. The outcome being measured in a study is the:
A. Independent variable
B. Control variable
C. Dependent variable
D. Confounding variable
Answer: C
Rationale: The dependent variable reflects the effect of the
intervention.
9. Which term describes factors that threaten the validity of a
study?
A. Bias
B. Reliability
