Deck 9: Appraising Sampling and Data Collection in Quantitative Studies

Question 1

The research design for a quantitative study involves decisions with regard to which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Which conceptual framework to use
B) Whether there will be an intervention
C) What types of comparisons will be made
D) How many times data will be collected

Answer 1

Whether there will be an intervention
What types of comparisons will be made
How many times data will be collected

Question 2

Which of the following are key criteria for making causal inferences about the relationship between two variables? Select all that apply.

A) Lack of temporal ambiguity about which variable occurred first
B) Statistical confirmation that a relationship between the two exists
C) The ability to randomly assign study participants to groups
D) The ability to rule out other factors as potential causes of the outcome

Answer 2

Lack of temporal ambiguity about which variable occurred first
Statistical confirmation that a relationship between the two exists
The ability to rule out other factors as potential causes of the outcome

Question 3

An important function of a rigorous research design in a quantitative study is to have control over which of the following?

A) Outcome variables
B) Mediating variables
C) Carryover variables
D) Confounding variables

Answer 3

Confounding variables

Question 4

A true experiment requires which of the following? Select all that apply.

A) Control
B) Intervention
C) Blinding
D) Randomization

Question 5

The use of a random numbers table for assigning subjects to groups eliminates which of the following?

A) Selection threat
B) Intervention fidelity
C) Attrition
D) Carryover effects

Question 6

Which of the following is invariably present in quasi-experimental research?

A) A control group
B) An intervention
C) Matching of subjects
D) Randomization

Question 7

A one-group pretest-posttest design is an example of which of the following?

A) A crossover design
B) A true experimental design
C) A quasi-experimental design
D) A retrospective design

Question 8

A pretest is to a posttest as which of the following?

A) The placebo effect is to the Hawthorne effect
B) A baseline measure is to a final outcome measure
C) Blinding is to matching
D) Attrition is to a mortality threat

Question 9

One weakness associated with cause-probing correlational research is which of the following?

A) Artificiality of the settings in which it occurs
B) Difficulty in linking the research to a theoretical framework
C) Problem of self-selection into groups
D) Inability to generalize the findings beyond the sample

Question 10

Which of the following research designs is weakest in terms of the researcher's ability to establish causality?

A) Experimental
B) Retrospective case-control
C) Prospective cohort
D) Quasi-experimental

Question 11

If a researcher wanted to describe the relationship between women's age and frequency of performing breast self-examination, the study would be classified as which of the following?

A) Descriptive correlational
B) Quasi-experimental
C) Longitudinal
D) Experimental

Question 12

Studies that collect data at one point in time are called which of the following?

A) Time series
B) Cross-sectional studies
C) Longitudinal studies
D) Crossover studies

Question 13

A study that followed, over a 20-year period, 500 users and 500 non-users of oral contraceptives to determine if there were any long-term side effects would be which of the following?

A) Time series
B) Retrospective study
C) Prospective study
D) Crossover study

Question 14

Constancy of conditions is often enhanced through which of the following?

A) Collect data at the same time every day
B) Using a crossover design
C) Maximizing the external validity of the study
D) Avoiding carryover effects

Question 15

Using homogeneity as a strategy for controlling confounding variables can reduce which of the following?

A) Construct validity
B) External validity
C) Intervention fidelity
D) Internal validity

Question 16

Which of the following is the most effective method for controlling participant factors?

A) Using a homogeneous sample
B) Statistical control
C) Matching subjects
D) Randomization

Question 17

In a case-control design, a frequently used method of controlling confounding variables is which of the following?

A) Using participants as their own controls
B) Matching of cases and controls on confounding variables
C) Randomization to groups
D) Homogeneity of the sample

Question 18

The researcher does not have to know in advance which confounding variables have to be controlled for which of the following procedures?

A) Matching
B) Randomization
C) Statistical control
D) Homogeneity

Question 19

In a nonequivalent control group design, the most serious threat to internal validity is which of the following?

A) Testing
B) Selection
C) Maturation
D) History

Question 20

In an RCT, the most serious threat to internal validity typically is which of the following?

A) Mortality
B) Selection
C) Maturation
D) History

Question 21

A study is internally valid to the extent that which of the following has taken place?

A) All alternative explanations to the independent variable as the cause of outcomes can be ruled out
B) A true experimental design was used
C) Intervention fidelity was maintained
D) A strong counterfactual was established

Question 22

The use of a diverse sample of study participants in multiple sites might affect which of the following?

A) Replicability of the study
B) The ability to use randomization
C) The ability to use blinding as a strategy
D) The study's external validity

Question 23

When participants' behaviors are affected not by the treatment per se but by their knowledge of participating in a study, interpretation of the findings is complicated by the influence of which of the following?

A) Treatment effect
B) History threat
C) Hawthorne effect
D) Selection threat

Question 24

Which of the following can reduce the statistical conclusion validity of a study?

A) Low attrition
B) Low power
C) Low generalizability
D) Low maturation

Question 25

The nurse is designing a research study to assess the effectiveness of two wound healing dressings. What key design feature will be most important to address in this type of study?

A) Intervention
B) Comparisons
C) Blinding
D) Location

Question 26

When addressing control of confounding variables, which of the following best describes the question to be answered by the researcher?

A) Who needs to know sensitive information about the research details?
B) When will the data on the variables be collected?
C) What other variables may influence the results?
D) Where will data collection occur?

Question 27

Which of the following statements best illustrates causality?

A) Individuals who have suffered a myocardial infarction (MI) are at higher risk for a second MI within the next 5 years.
B) Prolonged sun exposure is associated with higher rates of skin cancer.
C) Hiatal hernias are diagnosed more frequently in elderly individuals.
D) Taking time away from work leads to fewer stress-related illnesses.

Question 28

Which of the statements below best illustrates the temporal criterion needed for a causal relationship?

A) Skin cancer occurs because of genetic predisposition.
B) Kidney disease develops as a result of pesticide exposure.
C) Hepatitis C occurs in populations with substance abuse histories.
D) Following vaccination for varicella, rates of varicella infection are lower.

Question 29

Which of the following are distinctive characteristics of a true experimental design? Select all that apply.

A) Intervention
B) Control
C) Randomization
D) Correlation

Question 30

Applying your knowledge of random assignment, which statement is correct?

A) Random assignment is accomplished with random sampling.
B) Grouping participants with similar features together is the best way to achieve random assignment.
C) Random assignment ensures that the study is a true experiment.
D) Recruiting participants from significantly different neighborhoods results in random assignment.

Question 31

Which of the graphic representations illustrates a randomized experimental interventional design with pre- and posttest?

A) R X O X
B) R O R X
C) R X O O
D) R O X O

Question 32

Which statement infers the advantage to using cross-over designs for quantitative research?

A) Enhances equivalence among participants exposed to different interventions.
B) Different levels of the intervention are easily compared.
C) Delaying the intervention highlights the effects of persuasion.
D) Allows all participants to choose the intervention they will receive.

Question 33

Quasi-experimental research designs lack what feature found in true experimental research?

A) Control groups
B) Pretests
C) Randomization
D) Placebos

Question 34

Use of nonexperimental designs in research fulfills what purpose?

A) Describing
B) Predicting
C) Controlling
D) Blinding

Question 35

The nurse plans a study comparing the occurrence of anxiety disorders in military personnel deployed overseas with those who served strictly within the borders of the United States. What research design should be selected for this study?

A) Experimental
B) Quasi-Experimental
C) Cohort
D) Nonexperimental

Question 36

Cross-sectional designs work best under what research conditions?

A) Data collection over an extended period
B) Multiple points of data collection
C) Describing phenomena at a fixed point
D) For follow-up studies

Question 37

The nurse wishes to study the opinions of high school students concerning the availability of health care services at XYZ High School during the past school year. What research design best fits with the study objective?

A) Trend study
B) Cross-sectional study
C) Longitudinal study
D) Follow-up study

Question 38

Which of the following situations illustrates control over an external confounding variable?

A) Using a script to relay information about the study.
B) Randomizing assignment to control treatment groups.
C) Allowing for maximum flexibility over where data is collected.
D) Choosing a heterogeneous sample of subjects.

Question 39

What is the strongest method of controlling for intrinsic (subject) factors?

A) Statistical control
B) Randomization
C) Matching
D) Homogeneity

Question 40

What study design flaw may lead to a failure to achieve statistical significance?

A) Variables precisely defined
B) Adequate exposure to the intervention
C) Small sample size
D) Cross-sectional data collection

Question 41

Using your knowledge of threats to internal validity, which research design will be most susceptible?

A) Pretest-Posttest
B) Cross-over
C) Correlational
D) Factorial

Question 42

Which situation best reflects "attrition" in quantitative research?

A) Control and intervention groups are very different in age ranges.
B) Subjects receive promotional materials about the benefits of the intervention.
C) Adolescent subjects improve in body hygiene practices over 4 years.
D) Control group subjects drop out of the study when their disease process does not improve.

Question 43

Which quantitative research design will most strongly support evidence-based practice?

A) Factorial Design
B) Randomized Control Trial Design
C) Correlational Design
D) Time-Series Design

Question 44

A review of research reveals two articles that have conflicting results. A national randomized controlled trial found that annual brain scans will allow early detection and treatment of brain cancers, reducing mortality by 65%. An international
Quasi-experimental trial reported no significant reduction in mortality with annual scans. Based on your review, propose the best recommendation.

A) Recommendations from the national study should be followed.
B) Recommendations from the international study should be followed.
C) There is no rigorous research that can support a recommendation.
D) Recommendations should be stratified according to where the research was conducted.

Question 45

A research proposal states that the objective is to, "explore the incidence of homeopathic health practices on Iowa Native Reserves in Oklahoma." In describing the design to be used for conducting the study, the researchers plan to use a nonexperimental design. What can you conclude from this proposal?

A) The choice of a nonexperimental design is appropriate for the research objective.
B) Researchers should consider using a quasi-experimental design to meet their objective.
C) This research may not be answered completely if a quantitative design is used.
D) The population to be studied needs to be expanded to include all Native Americans in Oklahoma to avoid a small sample size.

Question 46

To study the effects of Healing Touch; what is the best choice to minimize confounding variables?

A) Offer a small payment for participants' time.
B) Offer all participants a Healing Touch session when data collection is completed.
C) Offer to enroll only individuals who do not have any medical conditions.
D) Offer another activity that gives similar time and attention to control group participants.