,NSG 324 Exam 2 Evidence Based Practice in Nursing Questions And
Answers 2026/2027 Herzing University
Q1. What is the primary purpose of critically appraising a research
article?
A) Determine whether the findings are trustworthy, relevant, and useful
B) Determine whether the article is long enough
C) Identify whether the authors are well known
D) Count the number of references
Correct Answer: A) Determine whether the findings are trustworthy, relevant,
and useful
Rationale: Critical appraisal systematically examines the quality, validity,
relevance, and applicability of research evidence.
Q2. A nurse reviewing an intervention study first asks whether the
research design appropriately addresses the research question.
Which aspect of appraisal is the nurse evaluating?
A) Popularity
B) Methodological appropriateness
C) Publication length
D) Citation frequency
Correct Answer: B) Methodological appropriateness
Rationale: The research design must be appropriate for the question being
investigated to produce meaningful evidence.
Q3. Which study design generally provides strong evidence
regarding the effectiveness of a nursing intervention?
A) Case report
B) Expert opinion
C) Randomized controlled trial
D) Editorial
Correct Answer: C) Randomized controlled trial
Rationale: Randomized controlled trials use intervention and comparison
groups with random assignment, strengthening conclusions about
intervention effects.
Q4. What is the primary purpose of random assignment in an
experimental study?
A) Increase the number of variables
B) Ensure every participant receives treatment
C) Eliminate informed consent
D) Reduce systematic differences between groups
, Correct Answer: D) Reduce systematic differences between groups
Rationale: Random assignment helps distribute participant characteristics
across groups and reduces selection bias.
Q5. Which characteristic distinguishes an experimental study from
most observational studies?
A) Manipulation of an independent variable
B) Use of human participants
C) Collection of data
D) Publication in a journal
Correct Answer: A) Manipulation of an independent variable
Rationale: Experimental research involves deliberate manipulation of an
intervention or independent variable to examine its effect.
Q6. What is the primary purpose of a control group?
A) Increase publication probability
B) Provide a comparison against the intervention group
C) Guarantee generalizability
D) Eliminate participant withdrawal
Correct Answer: B) Provide a comparison against the intervention group
Rationale: A control or comparison group allows researchers to determine
whether outcomes differ from those occurring without the intervention.
Q7. Which study design lacks random assignment but includes an
intervention?
A) Case-control study
B) Cross-sectional study
C) Quasi-experimental study
D) Phenomenological study
Correct Answer: C) Quasi-experimental study
Rationale: Quasi-experimental research tests interventions but lacks
random assignment or another element of a true experimental design.
Q8. A hospital introduces a new fall-prevention protocol on one unit
and compares fall rates before and after implementation without
randomization. Which design is most likely?
A) Ethnography
B) Randomized controlled trial
C) Case-control study
D) Quasi-experimental study
Correct Answer: D) Quasi-experimental study
Answers 2026/2027 Herzing University
Q1. What is the primary purpose of critically appraising a research
article?
A) Determine whether the findings are trustworthy, relevant, and useful
B) Determine whether the article is long enough
C) Identify whether the authors are well known
D) Count the number of references
Correct Answer: A) Determine whether the findings are trustworthy, relevant,
and useful
Rationale: Critical appraisal systematically examines the quality, validity,
relevance, and applicability of research evidence.
Q2. A nurse reviewing an intervention study first asks whether the
research design appropriately addresses the research question.
Which aspect of appraisal is the nurse evaluating?
A) Popularity
B) Methodological appropriateness
C) Publication length
D) Citation frequency
Correct Answer: B) Methodological appropriateness
Rationale: The research design must be appropriate for the question being
investigated to produce meaningful evidence.
Q3. Which study design generally provides strong evidence
regarding the effectiveness of a nursing intervention?
A) Case report
B) Expert opinion
C) Randomized controlled trial
D) Editorial
Correct Answer: C) Randomized controlled trial
Rationale: Randomized controlled trials use intervention and comparison
groups with random assignment, strengthening conclusions about
intervention effects.
Q4. What is the primary purpose of random assignment in an
experimental study?
A) Increase the number of variables
B) Ensure every participant receives treatment
C) Eliminate informed consent
D) Reduce systematic differences between groups
, Correct Answer: D) Reduce systematic differences between groups
Rationale: Random assignment helps distribute participant characteristics
across groups and reduces selection bias.
Q5. Which characteristic distinguishes an experimental study from
most observational studies?
A) Manipulation of an independent variable
B) Use of human participants
C) Collection of data
D) Publication in a journal
Correct Answer: A) Manipulation of an independent variable
Rationale: Experimental research involves deliberate manipulation of an
intervention or independent variable to examine its effect.
Q6. What is the primary purpose of a control group?
A) Increase publication probability
B) Provide a comparison against the intervention group
C) Guarantee generalizability
D) Eliminate participant withdrawal
Correct Answer: B) Provide a comparison against the intervention group
Rationale: A control or comparison group allows researchers to determine
whether outcomes differ from those occurring without the intervention.
Q7. Which study design lacks random assignment but includes an
intervention?
A) Case-control study
B) Cross-sectional study
C) Quasi-experimental study
D) Phenomenological study
Correct Answer: C) Quasi-experimental study
Rationale: Quasi-experimental research tests interventions but lacks
random assignment or another element of a true experimental design.
Q8. A hospital introduces a new fall-prevention protocol on one unit
and compares fall rates before and after implementation without
randomization. Which design is most likely?
A) Ethnography
B) Randomized controlled trial
C) Case-control study
D) Quasi-experimental study
Correct Answer: D) Quasi-experimental study
