Chapter 07: Understanding Theory and Research Frameworks Grove: Understanding Nursing Research, 6th Edition

1. Which is true about a study framework? a. It guides nurses in clinical practice. b. It explains a portion of a theory. c. It is one of the major ideas of a theory. d. It is the underlying methodology used in research. ANS: B Feedback A The knowledge gained from testing theories is used to guide nursing practice. B A study framework is a brief explanation of a theory or those portions of a theory that are to be tested in a study. C Concepts are the major ideas contained in a theory. D The framework is not the methodology, which consists of sampling techniques, tools, and measures used to gather and analyze data. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 190 2. Which statement is true about theory and qualitative studies? a. Qualitative studies rely on conceptual frameworks and not on theory. b. Qualitative studies are not based on theory. c. Qualitative studies may be used to create theory. d. Qualitative studies use theory in the same way as quantitative studies. ANS: C Feedback A Qualitative studies do not rely on conceptual frameworks. B Qualitative studies may be based on theory. C Qualitative studies may be based on a theory or may be designed to create a theory. D Quantitative studies are designed to test the components of a theory, while qualitative studies may merely be based on or seek to create a theory. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 190 3. A researcher is studying how anxiety affects coping with chronic disease and theorizes that measures to reduce anxiety will improve subjects’ ability to cope with day-to-day demands of self-care. In this example, anxiety and coping are: a. assumptions. b. concepts. c. philosophies. d. theories. ANS: B Feedback A Assumptions are statements in a philosophy or theory that are taken for granted or considered to be true. B Concepts are terms that abstractly describe and name an object, idea, experience, or phenomenon and are defined in specific ways to present the ideas relevant to a theory. C Philosophies are rational intellectual explorations of truths or principles and describe viewpoints on what reality is and which ethical ideas should guide practice. D Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive level: Applying (Application) REF: pp. 190-191 4. When reviewing various theoretical frameworks, the nurse researcher identifies several viewpoints about how nurses should engage with terminally ill patients. These viewpoints represent: a. abstract ideas. b. assumptions. c. concrete ideas. d. philosophies. ANS: D Feedback A An abstract idea focuses on a general view of a phenomenon. B Assumptions are statements in a philosophy or theory that are taken for granted or considered to be true. C A concrete idea focuses on a particular instance. D A philosophy is an idea that explores truths or principles and describes which ethical ideas should guide practice. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive level: Applying (Application) REF: pp. 190-191 5. A nurse researcher develops a study to assist patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to lose weight by altering eating patterns. The researcher states, “Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus desire to control weight to gain better glycemic control.” This statement is a(n): a. assumption. b. concept. c. philosophy. d. theory. ANS: A Feedback A Assumptions are statements in a philosophy or theory that are taken for granted or considered to be true. B Concepts are terms that abstractly describe and name an object, idea, experience, or phenomenon and are defined in specific ways to present the ideas relevant to a theory. C Philosophies are rational intellectual explorations of truths or principles and describe viewpoints on what reality is and which ethical ideas should guide practice. D Theories are sets of concepts that present a view of a phenomenon. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive level: Applying (Application) REF: pp. 190-191 6. A nurse researcher will measure the effects of infant and parent bonding on infant weight gain in the first 6 months of life. The nurse will evaluate the number of times each day that the parent holds the infant. This measure is an example of a(n): a. abstract idea. b. concept. c. concrete idea. d. phenomenon. ANS: C Feedback A An abstract idea is a general view of a phenomenon, such as parent/infant bonding. B A concept is a term that abstractly describes a phenomenon. C Concrete ideas refer to realities or actual instances, focusing on the particular and not the general. D A phenomenon is the appearance or aspect of reality as it is experienced. PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive level: Applying (Application) REF: pp. 191-192 7. The nurse researcher plans to evaluate self-care and its effects on disease prevention. The nurse identifies various health promotion activities—such as proper diet, exercise, and hours of sleep per night—as components of self-care. In this example, “self-care” is a: a. concept. b. construct. c. theory. d. variable. ANS: A Feedback A A concept is more abstract than a variable and represents the name for an object or phenomenon of interest. A concept is the most abstract element of all. B A construct is a concept that has been created for the study. A construct is a broader category or idea that may