NURS1351 (FOUND) EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ACTUAL
ANSWERS
Quantitative Research seeks... - ANSWER explanation, causation; conclusive findings;
objective, precise, measurable outcomes
Goal of Quantitative Research - ANSWER prediction, generalizibility, causality
variable - ANSWER attribute or property that varies and can be measured
Independent variable (X) - ANSWER influences dependent variable or outcome
Dependent variable (Y) - ANSWER consequence variable/outcome
measuring variables - ANSWER assigning numbers to objects, events, perceptions, or
attitudes
conceptual definition of variable - ANSWER derived from literature
operational definition of variable - ANSWER translates the conceptual definition into
behaviours or verbalizations that can be measured
Research questions... - ANSWER needs to be testable/measurable by quantitative
methods
Explicit testability - ANSWER measurable, relationship is proposed between X and Y, X
related to Y?, what is the effect of X on Y?
Theoretical Frameworks - ANSWER a way to understand research being studied,
provide a cause and effect explanation, maybe conceptual or concrete, guides
researcher on what questions needs to be asked and development of study hypotheses
Survey - ANSWER interviews or questionnaires
close-ended (choose one of a fixed number of alternative responses)
answers combined to obtain an overall score
e.g. likert scale
Characteristics of Hypothesis - ANSWER Relationship statement:
dependent/independent variable, gives direction
Testable: must be measurable, hypothesis either supported or not supported
, Wording: should state variables, population, and predicted outcome
Theory Based: should flow from research question, literature review to theoretical
framework
Research Hypothesis - ANSWER statement about expected relationship of variables
indicates expected outcome
can be nondirectional or directional
non-directional - ANSWER shows the relationship or associated between variables
directional - ANSWER measures the direction of variation between two variables
Null (statistical) hypothesis - ANSWER predicts no relationship; there is no difference
rejection of hypothesis is acceptance of research hypothesis
Critiquing Hypotheses - ANSWER Evaluate the wording for:
Clarity of statement
Implications for testability
Congruence with theory
Appropriateness for research design used
Purpose of Research Design - ANSWER provide a plan for answerin gthe research
question
becomes vehicle for answerin gquestion
aids in solution of research problems and to maintain control
control - ANSWER measures used to ensure study conditions the same toa void bias on
dependent variable (outcome)
use a design to maximize degree of control over tested variables
involves holding conditions of the study constant and establishing specific sampling
criteria
efficient design can maximize results, decrease errors and control pre existing
conditions that may affect the outcome
accomplished by ruling extraneous variables that compete with the independent
variable
Objectivity - ANSWER literature review
QUESTIONS AND ACTUAL
ANSWERS
Quantitative Research seeks... - ANSWER explanation, causation; conclusive findings;
objective, precise, measurable outcomes
Goal of Quantitative Research - ANSWER prediction, generalizibility, causality
variable - ANSWER attribute or property that varies and can be measured
Independent variable (X) - ANSWER influences dependent variable or outcome
Dependent variable (Y) - ANSWER consequence variable/outcome
measuring variables - ANSWER assigning numbers to objects, events, perceptions, or
attitudes
conceptual definition of variable - ANSWER derived from literature
operational definition of variable - ANSWER translates the conceptual definition into
behaviours or verbalizations that can be measured
Research questions... - ANSWER needs to be testable/measurable by quantitative
methods
Explicit testability - ANSWER measurable, relationship is proposed between X and Y, X
related to Y?, what is the effect of X on Y?
Theoretical Frameworks - ANSWER a way to understand research being studied,
provide a cause and effect explanation, maybe conceptual or concrete, guides
researcher on what questions needs to be asked and development of study hypotheses
Survey - ANSWER interviews or questionnaires
close-ended (choose one of a fixed number of alternative responses)
answers combined to obtain an overall score
e.g. likert scale
Characteristics of Hypothesis - ANSWER Relationship statement:
dependent/independent variable, gives direction
Testable: must be measurable, hypothesis either supported or not supported
, Wording: should state variables, population, and predicted outcome
Theory Based: should flow from research question, literature review to theoretical
framework
Research Hypothesis - ANSWER statement about expected relationship of variables
indicates expected outcome
can be nondirectional or directional
non-directional - ANSWER shows the relationship or associated between variables
directional - ANSWER measures the direction of variation between two variables
Null (statistical) hypothesis - ANSWER predicts no relationship; there is no difference
rejection of hypothesis is acceptance of research hypothesis
Critiquing Hypotheses - ANSWER Evaluate the wording for:
Clarity of statement
Implications for testability
Congruence with theory
Appropriateness for research design used
Purpose of Research Design - ANSWER provide a plan for answerin gthe research
question
becomes vehicle for answerin gquestion
aids in solution of research problems and to maintain control
control - ANSWER measures used to ensure study conditions the same toa void bias on
dependent variable (outcome)
use a design to maximize degree of control over tested variables
involves holding conditions of the study constant and establishing specific sampling
criteria
efficient design can maximize results, decrease errors and control pre existing
conditions that may affect the outcome
accomplished by ruling extraneous variables that compete with the independent
variable
Objectivity - ANSWER literature review
