NR 505 Advanced Research
Methods Exam 2 Test Bank | 2025
Latest Questions, Answers &
Rationales
## SECTION 1: RESEARCH DESIGNS & EVIDENCE HIERARCHY
**1. What is the primary purpose of using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in research?**
A) To explore participants' experiences in depth
B) To establish cause-and-effect relationships
C) To analyze historical data trends
D) To develop new theoretical frameworks
,**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** RCTs are considered the gold standard in research for testing the efficacy of
interventions because randomization reduces bias and allows researchers to infer causality between the
intervention and outcomes .
---
**2. Which level of evidence is considered the highest in the evidence hierarchy for clinical decision-
making?**
A) Expert opinion
B) Case series
C) Systematic reviews of RCTs
D) Cohort studies
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of multiple randomized controlled trials provide
the highest level of evidence (Level I) because they synthesize data from numerous high-quality studies,
increasing reliability and generalizability .
---
**3. A researcher randomly assigns patients to either an intervention group or a waitlist control group.
This study design is a:**
A) Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
, B) Case-control study
C) Cohort study
D) Qualitative descriptive study
**Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Random assignment is the defining feature of an RCT, the gold standard for causal
inference .
---
**4. What is a key feature of a cohort study?**
A) Random assignment
B) Follows a group over time to observe outcomes
C) Uses focus groups
D) Compares two interventions
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A cohort study observes a group with a shared characteristic over time, often to assess
the development of outcomes. Cohort studies rank as Level IV evidence .
---
**5. Which study design lacks randomization but includes a comparison group?**
Methods Exam 2 Test Bank | 2025
Latest Questions, Answers &
Rationales
## SECTION 1: RESEARCH DESIGNS & EVIDENCE HIERARCHY
**1. What is the primary purpose of using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in research?**
A) To explore participants' experiences in depth
B) To establish cause-and-effect relationships
C) To analyze historical data trends
D) To develop new theoretical frameworks
,**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** RCTs are considered the gold standard in research for testing the efficacy of
interventions because randomization reduces bias and allows researchers to infer causality between the
intervention and outcomes .
---
**2. Which level of evidence is considered the highest in the evidence hierarchy for clinical decision-
making?**
A) Expert opinion
B) Case series
C) Systematic reviews of RCTs
D) Cohort studies
**Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of multiple randomized controlled trials provide
the highest level of evidence (Level I) because they synthesize data from numerous high-quality studies,
increasing reliability and generalizability .
---
**3. A researcher randomly assigns patients to either an intervention group or a waitlist control group.
This study design is a:**
A) Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
, B) Case-control study
C) Cohort study
D) Qualitative descriptive study
**Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Random assignment is the defining feature of an RCT, the gold standard for causal
inference .
---
**4. What is a key feature of a cohort study?**
A) Random assignment
B) Follows a group over time to observe outcomes
C) Uses focus groups
D) Compares two interventions
**Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A cohort study observes a group with a shared characteristic over time, often to assess
the development of outcomes. Cohort studies rank as Level IV evidence .
---
**5. Which study design lacks randomization but includes a comparison group?**
