Deck 9: Examining Populations and Samples in Research

Question 1

A researcher who wishes to study the effects of a prenatal breastfeeding education program on the length of time African-American inner-city women breastfeed infants learns that 70% of women in the target population are unmarried.To achieve stratified random sampling in a sample of 50 subjects,the researcher will:

A) conduct the study using unmarried subjects only.
B) randomly assign all subjects to control versus experimental groups.
C) select a random sample of 35 unmarried and 15 married subjects.
D) select 25 subjects who are married and 25 who are not married.

Answer 1

select a random sample of 35 unmarried and 15 married subjects.

Question 2

A researcher uses a sample whose members have characteristics similar to those of the population from which it is drawn.This is an example of a:

A) cluster sample.
B) purposive sample.
C) random sample.
D) representative sample.

Answer 2

representative sample.

Question 3

A pilot study reveals a wide variation in measurement values among subjects with an overall mean value that is higher than among the general population.By increasing the sample size in a subsequent study,the researcher expects to:

A) decrease the variation of scores among subjects.
B) increase the variation of scores among subjects.
C) decrease the mean value of scores among subjects.
D) increase the mean value of scores among subjects.

Answer 3

decrease the variation of scores among subjects.

Question 4

A researcher wishes to evaluate the management of chemotherapy side effects in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).Children with ALL are an example of which of the following?

A) Accessible population
B) Element of the population
C) Sample population
D) Target population

Question 5

A researcher wishes to conduct a survey of attitudes about illness among young adults with cystic fibrosis.The researcher contacts a nearby regional medical cystic fibrosis clinic,where 250 young adults who have cystic fibrosis are seen.A group of 50 young adults are selected to complete the survey.These 50 people are the:

A) accessible population.
B) elements of the population.
C) sample population.
D) target population.

Question 6

When conducting a study in which it is not possible to determine the true number of subjects who meet eligibility criteria and obtaining a random sample would be time consuming and expensive,the researcher will use which sampling method?

A) Cluster sampling
B) Simple random sampling
C) Stratified random sampling
D) Systematic sampling

Question 7

A researcher plans to utilize a systematic random sampling method from a population of 5000 eligible subjects,using a sample of 200 subjects.Beginning at a randomly selected point on the list of subjects,what is the gap between elements?

A) 25
B) 50
C) 100
D) 200

Question 8

In a study of patients who have dementia,a researcher wishes to examine the effects of moderate exercise on patients' abilities to perform self-care.The researcher decides to use subjects between 70 and 80 years of age who have been diagnosed with dementia for less than 1 year.A patient who is 65 years old meets:

A) eligibility criteria.
B) exclusion criteria.
C) inclusion criteria.
D) sampling criteria.

Question 9

A researcher conducts a pilot study using a convenience sample of children with seizure disorders.A reviewer of this study's manuscript may conclude that the findings of this study:

A) are generalizable to most children with seizures.
B) have little credibility; they are extremely biased.
C) provide no useful information.
D) should be replicated using a wider population.

Question 10

A researcher enters a list of subject from a sampling frame into a computer and the computer randomly assigns subjects to control or treatment groups.This is an example of:

A) cluster sampling.
B) simple random sampling.
C) stratified random sampling.
D) systematic sampling.

Question 11

A researcher wishes to conduct a study to determine the effects of an intervention on high school students.In this study,high school students represent the:

A) accessible population.
B) elements of the population
C) sample population
D) target population.

Question 12

To decrease the probability of systematic variation in a study to evaluate the effects of a teaching program on disease management,the researcher will use which sampling process?

A) Cluster sampling
B) Convenience sampling
C) Random sampling
D) Systematic sampling

Question 13

The benefit to using a sample that utilizesnarrow sampling criteria is that there is increased:

A) control of extraneous variables.
B) generalizability.
C) heterogenicity.
D) range of values and scores.

Question 14

A researcher begins a study with 250 subjects,and 50 subjects drop out before the study is concluded.The researcher will declare 20% as the sample:

A) acceptance rate.
B) attrition rate.
C) refusal rate.
D) retention rate.

Question 15

The goal of appropriate sampling in research is to:

A) accurately reflect the characteristics of the target population.
B) completely define the traits of the accessible population.
C) identify all attributes of the sample population.
D) study an entire population.

Question 16

Which statement is true about systematic sampling?

A) A nonrandom starting point is used when selecting subjects.
B) It can be used when the desired sample size is unknown.
C) It provides a random chance for inclusion as a subject.
D) Subjects have an equal chance for inclusion in the study.

Question 17

A researcher wishes to study the effects of a nursing intervention on children with cancer and obtains a sample of school-age children hospitalized for cancer treatment in a local hospital.This sample represents the:

A) accessible population.
B) general population
C) target population.
D) theoretical population.

Question 18

When using stratified random sampling,the researcher is able to:

A) achieve greater control over subject selection.
B) avoid discussion of the effects of extraneous variables.
C) lower the costs associated with sampling.
D) use a smaller sample size.

Question 19

Which of these sampling techniques is least likely to produce findings that are generalizable to a larger population?

A) Cluster
B) Convenience
C) Quota
D) Systematic

Question 20

A researcher wishes to identify all school-age children who have type 2 diabetes mellitus in a local community in order to develop a sampling methodology for a study of this population.Which might serve as a barrier to obtaining this information?

A) Affordable Care Act (ACA)
B) Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
C) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
D) Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Question 21

A researcher conducts a survey of patients seen in an inner-city ambulatory clinic to determine barriers to receiving health care.The target population includes African-American,Hispanic,and Somali immigrant patients,as well as a variety of foreign-born students from a nearby university.The researcher chooses subjects from the African-American,Hispanic,and Somali immigrant populations to participate.This is which type of sampling?

A) Network
B) Purposive
C) Quota
D) Theoretical

Question 22

A researcher wishes to examine whether a teaching program for parents increases adherence to a drug regimen among children with seizure disorders.A convenience sample of children in a large teaching hospital is proposed.In order to prevent confounding of the results by socioeconomic status and type of health insurance,the researcher will utilize which additional sampling technique?

A) Cluster
B) Network
C) Quota
D) Theoretical

Question 23

In a qualitative study,a sample may be too small if:

A) the depth of information is low.
B) the effect size is too large.
C) the saturation of information is high.
D) the scope of the study is narrow.

Question 24

In a study investigating type 2 diabetic patients' ability to make lifestyle changes,the researcher randomly selects a sample from a list of all patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the United States.The researcher also selects the sample by randomly selecting patients diagnosed for 3 years or longer and those who are newly diagnosed.What sampling technique is used in this study?

A) Cluster
B) Quota
C) Stratified random
D) Systematic

Question 25

Which type of research study tends to require a larger sample size than the others?

A) Case study
B) Descriptive study
C) Experimental study
D) Quasi-experimental study

Question 26

The goal of sampling theory is to:

A) clearly define sample types used in research studies.
B) determine the best way to achieve representative samples.
C) develop methods for collecting data more efficiently.
D) provide frameworks for data analysis.

Question 27

Which type of setting is most commonly used in qualitative research?

A) Controlled
B) Multiple
C) Natural
D) Partially controlled

Question 28

In order to decrease the time needed to achieve saturation in information in a qualitative study,the researcher will:

A) broaden the scope of the study.
B) increase the number of theoretical concepts.
C) keep definitions of concepts vague.
D) narrow the study's scope.

Question 29

A researcher conducting a qualitative study knows that saturation of information has occurred when:

A) additional sampling reveals redundant information.
B) data collected confirms theoretical models.
C) subjects participating are representative of the general population.
D) the desired sample size has been reached.

Question 30

A researcher tests a measurement tool in a pilot study and notes a wide variance in scores.To improve the significance of the study's findings in subsequent studies,the researcher will:

A) apply quota sampling techniques.
B) decrease the sample size.
C) increase the sample size.
D) use cluster sampling techniques.

Question 31

In qualitative research,the sampling plan is developed in order to:

A) decrease systematic bias.
B) increase the representativeness of the findings related to the phenomena.
C) minimize the need for discussion of cultural elements of the study.
D) reduce sampling error.

Question 32

During the data collection phase of a qualitative study,the researcher notes previously untheorized links among concepts.The researcher will continue to collect data until:

A) a quota of each subject type is achieved.
B) saturation of information is noted.
C) the desired sample size is attained.
D) verification of information occurs.

Question 33

Which is a type of probability sampling?

A) Cluster
B) Convenience
C) Network
D) Quota

Question 34

During a study about nurses' ability to teach lifestyle changes in patients with coronary artery disease,the researcher discovers that many nurses have negative attitudes about obesity.The researcher develops a survey to examine these attitudes.This is an example of:

A) grounded theory research.
B) intraproject sampling.
C) saturation of information.
D) verification of information.

Question 35

Prior to initiating a research study,a researcher conducts a power analysis to determine the sample size necessary for a power level of 0.8 and an alpha of .05.The researcher will:

A) apply a quota sampling technique to improve generalizability.
B) decrease the sample size to minimize costs.
C) increase the sample size to avoid a Type II error.
D) use stratified random sampling to minimize error.

Question 36

Which setting is the most highly controlled setting?

A) A nursing home unit
B) A research sleep lab
C) A school-based clinic
D) An intensive care unit

Question 37

A researcher begins with a registry of all patients with HIV in the United States.The researcher uses a computer to generate a random sample from the list,and then those individuals agree to participate in a study.What kind of sample has been created?

A) Cluster
B) Convenience
C) Simple random
D) Stratified random

Question 38

A nurse conducts a study to examine the effects of a new intervention on FEV1 levels in patients with COPD and uses all patients admitted to a hospital during a 2-month period.This is an example of which type of sampling method?

A) Convenience
B) Network
C) Quota
D) Random

Question 39

A researcher will conduct a qualitative study about partners of patients diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases.This researcher will use which sampling technique to achieve the best representation of this population?

A) Accidental sampling
B) Cluster sampling
C) Network sampling
D) Simple random sampling

Question 40

A nurse researcher compares the outcomes of administration of a bronchodilator either via nebulizer or by metered-dose inhaler and collects data on subjects in a pediatric inpatient hospital unit.This is an example of which type of setting?

A) Controlled
B) Field
C) Natural
D) Partially controlled

Question 41

Which of the following is true about convenience sampling?

A) It tends to be less expensive and easier to conduct.
B) It requires fewer subjects to achieve a representative sample.
C) It is used more often in quantitative research.
D) It allows the researcher greater control over extraneous variables.

Question 42

Which of the following is true about sample size in a qualitative study?

A) It is determined by the sensitivity of the measurement tools.
B) It is considered adequate when the researcher detects no new knowledge.
C) It is influenced by the expected effect size and the probability of a type II error.
D) It is determined by the number of variables and data analysis techniques.

Question 43

Which is a type of nonprobability sampling?

A) Purposeful
B) Simple random
C) Stratified random
D) Systematic