Question 1

How should a nurse researcher expect a sample to differ from a population?&#10;A) A sample can mean objects or events, whereas population refers to individuals or groups of people.&#10;B) A population has a broad set of defining characteristics, and a sample has a narrow set of defining characteristics.&#10;C) A population is a representative segment of a defined sample.&#10;D) A sample is a representative segment of a defined population.

Accepted Answer

A sample is a smaller group of individuals or objects selected from a larger population. The goal of sampling is to select a representative group that can provide meaningful information about the population as a whole. Therefore, a sample should be a representative segment of the defined population. It is important to ensure that the sample is selected in a way that reduces bias and accurately reflects the characteristics of the population of interest. The characteristics of a sample may differ from those of the population due to chance sampling variability, but efforts are made to minimize this as much as possible. So, option D is the correct choice.

Question 2

The nurse researcher selects matching as a technique in a research study. What does the technique of matching in a sampling strategy contribute to the research?&#10;A) Improved overall design of the study&#10;B) Elimination of the need for a control group&#10;C) Increased equivalency of the comparison group&#10;D) Reduced sample size; subjects serve as their own controls

Accepted Answer

Matching in a sampling strategy is used to increase the equivalency of the comparison groups by pairing subjects based on certain characteristics or variables, thereby reducing the impact of confounding variables.

Question 3

How can a nurse researcher tell the difference between an accessible population and a target population?&#10;A) The accessible population meets the inclusion criteria, and the target population meets the exclusion criteria.&#10;B) The target population meets the inclusion criteria, and the accessible population meets the exclusion criteria.&#10;C) The accessible population represents the entire set of cases the researcher wishes to study, and the target population represents that part of the accessible population that could feasibly be included in the study.&#10;D) The target population represents the entire set of cases the researcher wishes to study, and the accessible population represents that part of the target population that could feasibly be included in the study.

Accepted Answer

The target population is the entire group of individuals or instances about whom the research is focused, representing the ideal set of subjects that the research aims to understand or make conclusions about. The accessible population, on the other hand, is a subset of the target population that the researcher can realistically reach and from which samples can be drawn for the study. This distinction is crucial for understanding the scope and applicability of research findings.

Question 4

A nurse researcher should be particularly concerned about having a small sample size for which reason?&#10;A) There is increased risk of obtaining a nonrepresentative sample.&#10;B) There is increased risk of a study subject interacting with another study subject.&#10;C) There is increased potential for loss of confidentiality.&#10;D) There is increased regression toward the mean.

Accepted Answer

A small sample size increases the risk of obtaining a nonrepresentative sample, which means that the results may not be applicable to the larger population. In a research study, it is essential to have a sample that represents the population to make valid inferences. A nonrepresentative sample may lead to biased and inaccurate conclusions, which can have negative implications for patient care and treatment. Therefore, a nurse researcher should be particularly concerned about having a small sample size because it can compromise the validity and generalizability of the study findings.

Question 5

A nurse researcher should attempt to clearly specify exclusion criteria for a study sample because such criteria will do what?&#10;A) Limit the time needed to complete the study&#10;B) Reduce the effect of extraneous variables on the accurate evaluation of the outcome variable&#10;C) Eliminate the outside influences and inferences regarding the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention&#10;D) Ensure that an adequate sample size is accrued to meet assumptions for accurate statistical analysis

Accepted Answer

Exclusion criteria are used to identify potential participants who should not be included in a study sample because of specific characteristics or conditions that may impact the outcome of the study. By specifying exclusion criteria, a nurse researcher can reduce the effect of extraneous variables that could confound the results of the study. This improves the internal validity of the study, which is the extent to which the study accurately evaluates the intended outcome variable. Exclusion criteria do not directly limit the time needed to complete the study, eliminate outside influences and inferences, or ensure an adequate sample size, although they may indirectly impact these factors.

Question 6

A nurse researcher would hesitate to use nonprobability sampling because:&#10;A) It will result in reduced or limited generalizability.&#10;B) Informed consent must be obtained.&#10;C) It will require large, unmanageable sample sizes.&#10;D) Sample sizes are too small for most methods of statistical analysis.

Accepted Answer

Nonprobability sampling is a method of selecting a sample from a population where not every member has an equal chance of being selected. While nonprobability sampling can be useful in some research contexts, a nurse researcher would hesitate to use this method because it can result in reduced or limited generalizability. In other words, the findings may not be representative of the larger population, which can limit the applicability of the results to other groups or contexts. This is particularly problematic in nursing research, where it is often necessary to make recommendations or develop interventions that can be applied to a wide range of patients. Therefore, probability sampling, where every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected, is generally preferred in nursing research to ensure the generalizability of the findings.

Question 7

Which statement is most accurate regarding inclusion and exclusion criteria?&#10;A) These criteria are not needed when the population being studied is composed of events.&#10;B) These criteria serve to ensure that the characteristics of the sample and the population are congruent.&#10;C) Inclusion criteria are used to define the independent variables, and exclusion criteria are used to define dependent variables.&#10;D) Inclusion criteria are used to define the dependent variables, and exclusion criteria are used to define independent variables.

Accepted Answer

Inclusion and exclusion criteria are used in research studies to define the characteristics of the sample population. Inclusion criteria are used to determine which individuals or events will be included in the study, while exclusion criteria are used to exclude individuals or events that do not meet certain characteristics.
Option A is incorrect because inclusion and exclusion criteria are still necessary even if the population being studied is composed of events.
Option C and D are incorrect because inclusion and exclusion criteria are used to define the characteristics of the sample population, not the independent or dependent variables.
Option B is the most accurate statement because inclusion and exclusion criteria serve to ensure that the characteristics of the sample and the population are congruent, which is important for the generalizability of study results.

Question 8

What is the process of selecting representative units of a population for study in a research investigation?&#10;A) Sampling&#10;B) Snowballing&#10;C) Delimination&#10;D) Random assignment

Accepted Answer

Sampling is the process of selecting a representative subset of a population to study in a research investigation. The goal of sampling is to ensure that the sample is representative of the larger population and can be used to draw valid conclusions about the population as a whole. There are various methods of sampling, such as simple random sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling, and convenience sampling. The choice of sampling method depends on the research question, the size and diversity of the population, the resources available, and other practical considerations. Snowballing is a non-probabilistic sampling method where existing study participants recruit others from their network, which is useful for studying hard-to-reach populations but may introduce bias. Delimitation refers to defining the scope and boundaries of a study. Random assignment is a method of assigning study participants to different treatment or control groups in an experimental study to ensure that the groups are comparable on all relevant variables except for the treatment.

Question 9

A nurse researcher should be concerned about establishing clear eligibility criteria for inclusion in a study sample because such criteria will do what?&#10;A) Increase the homogeneity of the sample&#10;B) Decrease the homogeneity of the sample&#10;C) Increase the size of the sample&#10;D) Decrease the size of the sample

Accepted Answer

Establishing clear eligibility criteria for inclusion in a study sample is an important step in research design. Eligibility criteria define the characteristics that individuals must possess in order to be included in the sample. By establishing clear eligibility criteria, a nurse researcher can increase the homogeneity of the sample, meaning that the individuals in the sample will have similar characteristics. This can improve the internal validity of the study by reducing the potential for confounding variables.
Clear eligibility criteria can also help to decrease the size of the sample, which can be beneficial in terms of cost and feasibility. By excluding individuals who do not meet the eligibility criteria, the sample can be more focused and targeted, leading to more precise results.
In summary, clear eligibility criteria are important for establishing a focused and homogenous sample, which can improve the internal validity of the study.

Question 10

A nurse researcher has made a generalization on the basis of the experience of a small number of participants. What will the result of this be?&#10;A) The small sample will invalidate the hypotheses.&#10;B) The researcher will be unable to eliminate his or her bias.&#10;C) The data obtained from a small number will inadequately represent the phenomenon.&#10;D) The small number of participants will increase the threat to internal validity influenced by history.

Accepted Answer

Generalizing on the basis of a small number of participants can lead to inadequate representation of the phenomenon under study. Small samples are more likely to be influenced by chance, individual differences, and extraneous variables, which can result in unreliable or biased conclusions. Therefore, it is important to use larger samples that are more representative of the population to increase the external validity of the study. Additionally, using a small sample size may limit the statistical power of the study, which could result in a failure to detect significant effects.

Question 11

A nurse researcher can most accurately use the technique of power analysis to do what?&#10;A) To estimate sample size&#10;B) To establish sampling strata&#10;C) To assign subjects randomly&#10;D) To analyze sample representativeness

Accepted Answer

The answer of A nurse researcher can most accurately use...

Question 12

What can a nurse researcher use to restrict the study population to homogeneous groups of subjects?&#10;A) Sampling&#10;B) Self-selection&#10;C) Eligibility criteria&#10;D) Defining study limitations

Accepted Answer

The answer of What can a nurse researcher use to...

Question 13

A research consumer should evaluate sample size in a research report by doing what?&#10;A) By asking how many assistants were involved in data collection&#10;B) By asking how representative the sample is relative to the target population&#10;C) By asking how great the outcome difference is between or among study groups&#10;D) By asking how many previous studies the researcher has conducted on similar topics

Accepted Answer

The answer of A research consumer should evaluate sample size...

Question 14

The nurse researcher can most accurately determine sample size by considering what?&#10;A) The stamina of the researcher in data collection&#10;B) The importance of the independent variable&#10;C) The age of the potential subjects&#10;D) The design of the study

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse researcher can most accurately determine...

Question 15

A nurse researcher opts to use a stratified sample in a research study for which reason?&#10;A) The sample population is divided into subsets that are homogeneous for a particular trait or feature.&#10;B) The sample population is divided into subsets for random assignment into an intervention or a usual-care group.&#10;C) The sample population is randomly assigned to a specific subgroup that will vary from the others on the basis of type of treatment.&#10;D) The sample population is randomly assigned to a specific subgroup that will vary from the others on the basis of treatment duration.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A nurse researcher opts to use a...

Question 16

The primary characteristic of a probability sample is considered to be what?&#10;A) Self-selection of subjects&#10;B) Random selection of the sample&#10;C) Subjects handpicked by the researcher&#10;D) Representation of proportional segments of the population

Accepted Answer

The answer of The primary characteristic of a probability sample...

Question 17

Which statement regarding sample size is most accurate?&#10;A) Studies with smaller sample sizes have more accurate results.&#10;B) Studies with smaller sample sizes are more likely to be representative of the target population.&#10;C) Studies with larger sample sizes have more accurate results.&#10;D) Studies with larger sample sizes are more likely to be representative of the target population.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which statement regarding sample size is most...

Question 18

Which type of sampling is most at risk for sample bias?&#10;A) Quota&#10;B) Random&#10;C) Purposive&#10;D) Convenience

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which type of sampling is most at...

Question 19

The researcher used word of mouth to accrue a sample of participants. This is most accurately referred to as what?&#10;A) Referral&#10;B) Networking&#10;C) Recruitment&#10;D) Quasi-probability

Accepted Answer

The answer of The researcher used word of mouth to...

Question 20

The nurse researcher knows that a sample is representative of a population when which statement is true?&#10;A) The sample is homogeneous.&#10;B) All units of a population are included.&#10;C) The most readily accessible persons are used as subjects.&#10;D) The characteristics of the sample closely approximate those of the population.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse researcher knows that a sample...

Question 21

The nurse researcher is deciding on a sampling strategy for the research study. Which type(s) of strategies would be considered to be probability sampling strategies? (Select all that apply.)&#10;A) Convenience&#10;B) Quota&#10;C) Simple random&#10;D) Cluster&#10;E) Purposive&#10;F) Stratified random

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse researcher is deciding on a...

Question 22

The nurse researcher is attempting to develop a purposive sampling strategy as part of a research study. What criteria will be used to determine whether the strategy is purposive? (Select all that apply.)

A) Validation of scale with a known-group technique
B) Focus of study population relates to specific diagnosis
C) Focus of study population relates to broad, general topic
D) Effective posttesting of instruments
E) Collection of exploratory data
F) Collection of descriptive data

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse researcher is attempting to develop...

Question 23

What are types of nonprobability of sampling? (Select all that apply.)&#10;A) Purposive&#10;B) Quota&#10;C) Stratified random&#10;D) Multistage (cluster)&#10;E) Convenience

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are types of nonprobability of sampling?...

Deck 12: Sampling