Deck 26: Interpreting Research Outcomes

Question 1

A researcher studies the effect upon pain control of providing pet therapy for children on a pediatric ward. While conducting the study, the researcher becomes aware of a strong correlation between parental presence and hours of children's sleep. What is this correlation?

A)The ability to consent far more subjects than were originally projected: a lucky occurrence
B)Relationships between variables that were not hypothesized or predicted from the framework: serendipitous finding
C)The identification of a variable that affects the dependent variable and distorts its value: extraneous variable
D)A condition that affects generalization: limitation

Answer 1

Relationships between variables that were not hypothesized or predicted from the framework: serendipitous finding

Question 2

The U.S. census is an example of a huge descriptive research project that uses the entire population as the sample. What are some of the limitations of generalizing census findings back to the entire population?

A)Although all homes must fill out a census report, the homeless population often cannot be accessed, surveyed, and counted, so the homeless population is underrepresented in the findings.
B)Persons whose primary language is something other than English or Spanish, and who do not speak either language, are more likely to be missed in the census.
C)The survey method of data collection relies on self-report; some misrepresentation or error is inevitable.
D)The population changes continuously, and the one described in the census isn't very much like the population on the day the results are published.
E)Persons in the United States who are no longer here legally but plan to stay do not fill out a report.

Answer 2

Although all homes must fill out a census report, the homeless population often cannot be accessed, surveyed, and counted, so the homeless population is underrepresented in the findings.
Persons whose primary language is something other than English or Spanish, and who do not speak either language, are more likely to be missed in the census.
The survey method of data collection relies on self-report; some misrepresentation or error is inevitable.
Persons in the United States who are no longer here legally but plan to stay do not fill out a report.

Question 3

The analysis of the data from a study indicates that there was a significant difference between the two groups, which were randomly selected and composed of 100 subjects each. The instruments measuring stress, mood, and various scaled measures of emotion were well normed, widely tested, and suitable. As the researcher begins interpretation of the data, the researcher discovers that during data collection, one of the assistants had recorded the demographic item "household size" incorrectly, understanding the item as "number of people who live with you." The original paper surveys are still available, and the ones this particular assistant collected are all clearly marked with the assistant's initial on each page. How can this data item be "saved"?

A)Erroneous values can be identified and eliminated from the data analysis for this single item.
B)Erroneous values can be located and reentered as the true values, since the systematic error has been identified, quantified, and attributed.
C)Data analysis may proceed and the error noted in the final report as a methodological limitation.
D)An overlapping ordinal measurement can be used, in which the categories are 0-1, 1-2, 2-3, and so forth.e.The data may be analyzed as a nominal variable and so coded.

Answer 3

Erroneous values can be identified and eliminated from the data analysis for this single item.
Erroneous values can be located and reentered as the true values, since the systematic error has been identified, quantified, and attributed.

Question 4

A researcher summarizes the findings and then makes generalizations. Why does the researcher refer to the literature before making generalizations?

A)If the current study is a replication of previous research, its generalizations will be identical to those of the study it replicates.
B)If there is no previous research in this area, no generalizations can be made.
C)If the current study is the second by this researcher, its generalizations will be to the population from which the second sample was drawn and will specifically exclude the sample from the first study.
D)If there is a lone study in this area, generalizations are narrow; if there is previous research of a parallel nature, more widespread generalization is in order.

Question 5

A researcher working for a company that produces a standardized examination that predicts whether or not nursing students will pass the national licensure examination tests this tool at a level of significance of $\alpha$ = 0.01, with power = 0.91. The results are statistically significant. What interpretation can the researcher justifiably make?

A)Findings are important to nursing schools and valuable for them.
B)The examination should be used by all nursing schools.
C)There is good evidence that the results can be replicated, with similar results.
D)Results will be the same if the study is repeated with another sample.

Question 6

Choose which of the following limitations are not related to construct validity, in a study of home UV treatment of depressive illnesses.

A)An interventional study has a 60% attrition rate.
B)The operational definitions are not in line with the conceptual definitions.
C)The study framework is related to the social costs of depressive illness.
D)The subjects excluded from participation in a study of depressive illness and UV home treatment were those who had been hospitalized in the past for depression.
E)The multi-site study examining UV home treatment and depressive illness is conducted only in major west coast urban centers.

Question 7

How are markedly negative results of a multi-site interventional nursing study with a huge sample and stringent level of significance helpful?

A)They rule out the usefulness of the intervention for all clients.
B)They provide evidence that may change clinical practice, if the intervention is currently being applied in practice to all healthcare clients.
C)They contribute to the total body of nursing knowledge.
D)They may indicate different directions for theoretical ideas.
E)They establish the fact that the intervention is not universally effective with all clients.
F)They allow only cautious generalization.

Question 8

In interpreting the findings of a study, the researcher should do which of the following?

A)Discuss the findings, with respect to clinical implications.
B)Boldly and fearlessly identify the limitations of the study.
C)Make cautious and well-founded conclusions, based on the findings.
D)Based on the existing literature, plus this study, recommend further research.e.Make excuses for limitations.
F)Relate findings back to the purpose and framework of the study.
G)Generalize broadly.

Question 9

The analysis of the data from a study indicates that there was a significant difference between two groups, which were randomly selected and composed of 300 subjects each. The instruments measuring stress, mood, and various scaled measures of emotion were well normed, widely tested, and suitable. The researcher begins interpretation of the data and discovers that during data collection one of the assistants had recorded the demographic item "household size" incorrectly for 25 subjects, understanding the item as "number of people who live with you." The researcher makes a decision to work with the data that are recorded for this variable, treating the faulty entries as missing values. How should the researcher present this information in the discussion section of the report?

A)As a statistical conclusion validity limitation
B)As a serendipitous finding
C)As a construct validity limitation
D)It is unnecessary to present this information in the report because the researcher is allowed to clean the data in this way.

Question 10

A researcher has just completed a study, demonstrating the effectiveness of three daily servings of freshly pressed tomato juice for prevention of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. The results were statistically significant at the p < 0.01 level. During interpretation, which of the following will the researcher employ?

A)Examination of the results, in comparison with similar literature about fresh tomatoes and cancer, to decide whether the sum of all knowledge constitutes sufficient evidence for widespread generalization
B)Exploration of the clinical significance of the findings, as opposed to the statistical significance
C)Initiation of discussions with manufacturers of juice machines, so as to take advantage of the anticipated increase in sales
D)Formation of some sort of conclusions, relative to the study findings and related literature
E)Promulgation of the results to the popular media, so that as many people as possible in the world can advantage themselves of the intervention
F)Recommendations for further studies on fresh tomato juice and its effects on health
G)Consideration of implications related to nursing's body of knowledge

Question 11

If, after power analysis, a researcher's interventional study findings are nonsignificant, what might this imply?

A)The effect size was smaller than originally expected.
B)The effect size was larger than originally expected.
C)The operational definition of the independent variable was faulty.
D)The operational definition of the dependent variable was faulty.
E)A Type I error occurred.
F)A Type II error occurred.
G)The intervention was not an effective one.

Question 12

A researcher makes a statement near the end of a research article, stating that the findings contribute to nursing's body of knowledge and they also provide evidence that the intervention may be helpful in the population from which the sample was drawn. What does this comment address?

A)Serendipitous findings
B)Implications
C)Generalizations
D)Limitations

Question 13

A researcher studies the effect of a computerized hospital charting system on nurses' compliance with charting the exact times of tracheostomy care, periodic turning of patients, and bed baths. The researcher hypothesizes that instituting the new charting system would improve compliance. The sample size is 120. The level of significance is set at 0.05 and the power at 80%. Findings are nonsignificant, at p = 0.146. How might this be discussed by the researcher?

A)The null hypothesis was accepted. There was no difference in compliance when paper charting was replaced with computer charting, in terms of the variables of tracheostomy care, periodic turning, and bed bath charting.b.Nurses do not chart consistently the tracheostomy care, periodic turning, and bed baths they deliver, regardless of charting system.
C)The effect size was smaller than expected; a repeat power analysis revealed that the sample size of 120 was insufficient to demonstrate a significant difference.
D)This study showed no significant difference between the two charting methods, in terms of compliance.
E)Had the level of significance been set at 0.15, the findings would have reached statistical significance.

Question 14

A researcher studies the effect on reading comprehension level of providing fourth-grade boys who are slow and ponderous readers with illustrated comic books for a 6-week summer session instead of textbooks, hypothesizing that reading associated with pictures will result in a higher reading comprehension level. The researcher sets the level of significance at p < 0.05. Analysis of the data indicates that there was a significant difference between the two groups, which were randomly selected and composed of 100 subjects each. However, the experimental comic book group's scores improved less than did the scores of the boys who used the textbooks. The measured p-level was 0.026. What type of finding is this?

A)Significant results that are in keeping with those by the researcher
B)Nonsignificant results
C)Significant results that oppose those predicted by the researcher
D)Mixed results

Question 15

Which interpretation of correlational study results is acceptable as worded?

A)The study proved that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer. Financial incentives must be offered by insurance companies to all persons who cease smoking.
B)Findings suggest that antihypertensives influence both length and quality of life and that their use is more beneficial than formerly realized.
C)The positive correlation between owning a dog who demands to be walked daily and the owner's cardiovascular health indicates that all people should own dogs.
D)Results imply that all humans who use amphetamines will have shortened life spans, and patient teaching needs to include this vital information.

Question 16

A researcher has conducted a study that uses a measurement tool for agitation, normed in a hospital setting, in an outpatient mental health setting. After completion of the data analysis phase, which of the following is the next logical step in evaluating the evidence?

A)Recalibration of all instruments used for physiological measurements
B)Review of the literature
C)Identification of statistically significant findings
D)Examination of the measurement tool's reliability in this setting
E)Reevaluation of the tool's validity in this population

Question 17

In a cross-sectional study, a researcher studies career trajectories in nurses over the past 20 years. There are five correlational research hypotheses. Why are mixed results, related to significance of findings, to be expected?

A)The study is cross-sectional, and the economy has made bedside care a more practical decision, over the past few years.
B)Groups across time cannot be expected to have the same responses to career advancement.
C)The study is merely correlational.
D)Five statistical hypotheses are being tested; not all of these can be expected to demonstrate statistical significance.

Question 18

A nurse manager in a trauma intensive care unit conducts a quality improvement evaluation project. During this process, the manager discovers that patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome almost always have better outcomes when they are placed in the five beds located furthest away from the nursing station. Examining the data, the manager discovers that the room doors in these five rooms are consistently half-closed or three-quarters closed. In addition, nurses have been documenting that these patients sleep more than the other 10 patients on the unit. What are the nurse manager's options for generalizing the findings?

A)There is no practical use for this research; no generalization is appropriate.
B)Findings should be generalized immediately, and in print. These are important findings.
C)The nurse can present the findings at conferences, but generalization is limited to the hospital in which the data were collected.
D)The nurse manager can obtain permission from an institutional review board to conduct a formal research study, in order to formally test hypotheses, and then generalize the findings of this second study.
E)Arrangements should be made immediately on the unit to keep all patients' doors half-closed or three-quarters closed.