Question 1

In research,the probability that any data score will be within a certain range of a mean value is calculated based on the theory of:

Accepted Answer

The probability that any data score will be within a certain range of a mean value is calculated based on the theory of the normal curve. The normal curve is a symmetric, bell-shaped curve that represents the distribution of many naturally occurring variables in the world. It is used to estimate the probability of a range of scores occurring within a certain distance from the mean.

Question 2

An appropriate level of significance for nursing research is either:

Accepted Answer

The appropriate level of significance for nursing research is 0.05 or 0.01. This means that the probability of obtaining the results by chance is less than 5% or 1%, respectively. These levels are commonly used in healthcare research to ensure that the findings are reliable and significant. A level of significance that is too high (such as 0.5 or 0.1) would result in too many false positives, while a level that is too low (such as 0.005 or 0.001) would lead to too many false negatives. Therefore, the best answer is C, 0.05 or 0.01.

Question 3

A researcher studies the effects of a nursing intervention on a desired patient outcome and discovers a statistically significant difference between groups receiving the intervention and those not receiving the intervention.The researcher concludes that the intervention is effective.This researcher has made a:

Accepted Answer

The researcher has made a statistical inference by concluding that there is a significant difference between the groups receiving the intervention and those not receiving the intervention. This inference is based on the statistical analysis of the data, and indicates that there is evidence to support the effectiveness of the intervention.

Question 4

A researcher plans to apply a one-tailed test of significance when analyzing data from a study.Which is true about using this test?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A researcher plans to apply a one-tailed...

Question 5

In statistical analysis of data,the alpha value is used to:

Accepted Answer

The answer of In statistical analysis of data,the alpha value...

Question 6

A researcher evaluates the internal consistency (reliability)a newly developed scale used in a pilot study and notes a Cronbach alpha coefficient of space 0.72.The researcher will:

Accepted Answer

A Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.72 indicates a moderate level of internal consistency reliability. While higher coefficients are desirable, this level of reliability may be acceptable for use in a larger study. Option D is the best choice since it suggests using the scale in the larger study while also monitoring the coefficient results. Options A and C do not address the issue of reliability and validity, while option B implies that the researcher has not yet tested for validity, which should have been done prior to conducting the pilot study.

Question 7

When a researcher concludes that study findings are applicable to the total population,this is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Generalization is the process of applying findings from a sample to a larger population. When a researcher concludes that study findings are applicable to the total population, they are making a generalization.

Question 8

In a discussion that includes the analysis of data collected during a pilot study,the researcher discusses the relationships and differences in data sets and makes predictions based on this analysis.The researcher will use which process?

Accepted Answer

Inferential analysis involves using data to make predictions or draw conclusions about a larger population based on a sample, which is what the researcher is doing by analyzing data collected during a pilot study. Descriptive analysis, on the other hand, involves summarizing and describing the characteristics of the data without making any predictions or conclusions. Reliability and validity testing are techniques used to assess the quality of the data and the measures used to collect it, but they do not involve analyzing relationships or making predictions.

Question 9

An important goal of inferential statistical analysis is to:

Accepted Answer

The goal of inferential statistics is to generalize the results from a study to the larger population from which the sample was drawn. This involves using the data collected from the sample to make inferences about the larger population, with a certain degree of confidence. Options A, B, and D are all aspects of descriptive statistics and the evaluation of the quality of the study, but they do not provide a framework for generalizing the results to the population at large.

Question 10

After a clinical drug trial to measure the effects of atorvastatin administration on low-density lipoprotein levels,which of the following conclusion statements is acceptable in the research report?

Accepted Answer

The acceptable conclusion statement is one that accurately reflects the findings of the clinical drug trial without making any generalizations or definitive statements. Choice A is appropriate because it states the findings without making any broad claims or drawing conclusions beyond the scope of the study. Choices B, C, and D are all too definitive or broad and cannot be supported by the findings of a single clinical drug trial.

Question 11

A reviewer reads a research report and notes that the number of subjects in the original sample is larger than the number in the final analysis.Besides attrition of subjects,this discrepancy is likely because:

Accepted Answer

The discrepancy is likely due to missing essential data from subjects who were no longer included, in addition to attrition of subjects.

Question 12

It is important to know the demographic variables among study subjects in order to:

Accepted Answer

Knowing the demographic variables among study subjects helps to understand how well the sample represents the target population. This is important for generalizing the study findings to the larger population. Knowing demographic variables may also be useful in subgroup analyses or in comparing the study results to other studies with similar demographic characteristics. It does not directly impact central tendency, control and experimental groups, or independent variables.

Question 13

Which describes an outlier?

Accepted Answer

Outliers are data points that lie significantly far from the majority of the other data points and may skew the overall results or analysis. They can be identified by their position outside of what is predicted by other data points, such as being much larger or smaller than the rest of the values.

Question 14

When comparing a study with a level of significance of 0.05 with a study having a level of significance of 0.01,the researcher knows that the study with the level of significance of 0.05 is more likely to have a:

Accepted Answer

A study with a level of significance of 0.05 is more likely to have a Type I error, meaning it is more likely to reject a true null hypothesis. This is because the threshold for rejecting the null hypothesis is lower in a study with a significance level of 0.05 compared to a study with a significance level of 0.01. Therefore, there is a higher risk of falsely rejecting the null hypothesis in the former study.

Question 15

Which of the following is not one of the components of power analysis?

Accepted Answer

The components of power analysis include effect size, power, and sample size. Error type is not a component of power analysis, although it may be relevant to the specific research design and statistical analysis being used.

Question 16

A nurse conducts a study to evaluate the likelihood that single adolescent mothers will breastfeed their newborn infants if they are given materials about the benefits of breastfeeding.The results show a p value of 0.18.The nurse may conclude that:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A nurse conducts a study to evaluate...

Question 17

Which situation will involve the use of inferential statistics?

Accepted Answer

The examination of the differences between control and experimental group scores requires inferential statistics to determine the significance of the differences and whether they can be attributed to the intervention being tested. A, B, and C involve descriptive statistics or basic comparisons that do not require inferential statistics.

Question 18

To measure test-retest reliability of an instrument,a researcher may use the:

Accepted Answer

Pearson's correlation statistic is the best choice for measuring test-retest reliability because it assesses the degree of correlation between two sets of data collected from the same group of participants at different times. This indicates the level of stability of the instrument over time, which is a key aspect of its reliability.

Question 19

What is the purpose of using exploratory analysis in a research report?

Accepted Answer

Exploratory analysis is used to examine and describe data in a research report. It helps to identify patterns, trends, and potential relationships in the data, which can then be used to develop testable hypotheses or to compare control and experimental groups if applicable. However, its primary purpose is to gain a deeper understanding of the data and to generate insights that can lead to further research questions or study design. Identifying theoretical constructs may be a part of exploratory analysis, but it is not its primary purpose.

Question 20

A researcher notes that 2 subjects in an experimental group had scores similar to those in the control group,while the other 20 experimental group subjects had scores far different from those in the control group.The researcher would consider the scores for the two subjects as:

Accepted Answer

Scores that are far different from the rest of the group are considered as outliers. Therefore, the scores of the two subjects should be considered as outliers.

Quiz 11: Understanding Statistics in Research