Question 1

A researcher explores the following question: Are there differences in energy expenditure between toileting in bed or out of bed in healthy adults and hospitalized patients? Which of the following is the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

Adult health status is an independent variable in the study.
"Energy expenditure" is a dependent variable in the study.
"Toileting in bed" is a category of the dependent variable "toileting method" in the study.
"Toileting out of bed" is a category of the dependent variable "toileting method" in the study.

Question 2

The following hypothesis, daily "doses of humor" will cause arthritis sufferers to use less pain medication and exercise longer, was listed in a study being critiqued. What kind of hypothesis is this?

Accepted Answer

There are more than two variables involved, so it is a complex hypothesis. The hypothesis indicates a direction, "less pain medication" and "longer exercise," so it is directional.
A causation is predicted, so it is not associative, and there are more than two variables, so it is a complex hypothesis.
There is a prediction of causation in the hypothesis, but the hypothesis indicates a direction, "less pain medication" and "longer exercise," so it is directional.
The hypothesis is not simple because there are more than two variables, and it is directional because "less pain medication" and "longer exercise" are included.

Question 3

The following hypothesis was investigated in a study you are reviewing: Children who have a parent who is dieting are more likely to put themselves on diets at a young age. As you critique this study, what kind of hypothesis will you report?

Accepted Answer

The hypothesis is simple because there are only two variables, and it is directional since "more likely" is included.
An association is indicated, but there are only two variables, so it is a simple, not complex, hypothesis.
There is no prediction of causation in the hypothesis, and the hypothesis indicates a direction, "more likely," so it is directional.
There are only two variables involved, so the hypothesis is simple, not complex. The hypothesis indicates a direction, "more likely," so it is directional.

Question 4

The following hypothesis, daily "doses of humor" will cause arthritis sufferers to use less pain medication and exercise longer, was listed in a study being critiqued. Which of the following is the operational definition of "dose of humor"?

Accepted Answer

This definition gives the reader information that would allow a replication of the study.
Using the subject to create the humor makes it very difficult to measure and hard to replicate.
The use of jokes from the newspaper means that even the researchers would not know ahead of time how funny they are going to be, and this would make it very difficult to make use of in the future.
This definition does not provide enough information for the reader to know how humor is being offered.

Question 5

The following hypothesis was investigated in a study for review: Children who have a parent who is dieting are more likely to put themselves on diets at a young age. Which of the following is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

The dieting behavior of the child is the dependent variable.
"Children" is not a variable in the study.
The dieting behavior of the parent(s) influences the dieting behavior of the child and is the independent variable.
"Young age" is not a variable in the study.

Question 6

What is the dependent variable in the following hypothesis: teenagers who have a high self-concept will be less likely to diet than those with a low self-concept?

Accepted Answer

The dieting status of the teenager is the dependent variable.
"Age of subject" is not a variable.
Self-concept influences the dieting status of the teenager and is the independent variable.
"Teenager" is not a variable in the study.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the following hypothesis: Teenagers who have a high self-concept will be less likely to diet than those with a low self-concept?

Accepted Answer

The hypothesis is simple because there are only two variables, and it is directional since "less likely" is included.
Causation is not predicted, so it is associative, and there are only two variables, so it is a simple hypothesis.
There is no prediction of causation in the hypothesis, but the hypothesis indicates a direction, "less likely," so it is directional.
There are more than two variables involved, so it is a complex hypothesis. The hypothesis indicates a direction, "less likely," so it is directional.

Question 8

If a reviewer is asking "Is the problem significant and relevant to nursing?", what part of the study is being critiqued?

Accepted Answer

This question is about the research problem and purpose.
Questions about the review of literature examine if the literature review provides a rationale and direction of the study
Questions about the research objectives, questions or hypothesis examine whether or not they are logically linked to the study purpose, framework, design and results.
This question does not address if the framework was presented with clarity and linked to the study purpose, variable and findings

Question 9

The following hypothesis was investigated in a study for review: children who have a parent who is dieting are more likely to put themselves on diets at a young age. Which of the following is the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

The dieting behavior of the parent(s) influences the dieting behavior of the child.
"Children" is not a variable in the study.
"Dieting behavior of child" is a dependent variable in the study.
"Young age" is not a variable in the study.

Question 10

The following hypothesis was investigated in a study: daily "doses of humor" will cause arthritis sufferers to use less pain medication and exercise longer. Which of the following is the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

"Doses of humor" is the independent variable in this study.
Amount of pain is a dependent variable in the study.
"Arthritis sufferer" is not a variable in the study.
Length of exercise is a dependent variable in the study.

Question 11

If a reviewer is asking "Are they sufficiently sensitive to detect differences between subjects?", what part of the study is being critiqued?

Accepted Answer

This question is about the measurements.
This question does not address the objectives, questions or hypotheses.
This question does not address the study framework.
This question does not address variables.

Question 12

If a reviewer is asking "To what populations can the findings be generalized?", which phase of the research critique is represented?

Accepted Answer

The evaluation phase highlights the meaning and significance of the study.
The analysis phase involves a critique of the logical links connecting one study element with another.
The comparison phase requires knowledge of what each step of the research process should be like, and then that is compared with the ideal
The comprehension phase requires the reviewer to thoroughly understand the study.

Question 13

The following hypothesis was investigated in a study: Daily "doses of humor" will cause arthritis sufferers to use less pain medication and exercise longer. Which of the following listed is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

Length of exercise and amount of pain medication are dependent variables in the study.
"Arthritis sufferer" is not a variable in the study.
"Frequency of humor" is the dependent variable in the study.
"Humor" is the dependent variable in the study.

Question 14

If a reviewer is asking "What implications do the findings have for practice?", which phase of the research critique is represented?

Accepted Answer

The question comes from the comprehension phase.

Question 15

A researcher explores the following question: Are there differences in energy expenditure between toileting in bed or out of bed in healthy adults and hospitalized patients? Which of the following is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

"Energy expenditure" is a dependent variable in the study.
"Adult health status" is an independent variable in the study.
"Hospitalized patients" is a category of the independent variable "Adult heath status" in the study.
"Toileting method" is an independent variable in the study.

Question 16

If a reviewer is asking "Is it related to nursing's body of knowledge?", what part of the study is being critiqued?

Accepted Answer

This question addresses the study framework.
Questions about the current empirical and theoretical knowledge address the literature review.
This question does not address the objectives, questions or hypotheses.
This question does not address the research problem or purpose.

Question 17

If a reviewer is asking "Is a means provided to examine all of the objectives, questions, or hypotheses and the study purpose?", what part of the study is being critiqued?

Accepted Answer

This question is about the design.
This question does not address the objectives, questions or hypotheses.
This question does not address the research problem or purpose.
This question does not address the study framework.

Question 18

The following hypothesis was investigated in a study you are reviewing: Teenagers who have a high self-concept will be less likely to diet than those with a low self-concept. As you critique this study, which terms do not require an operational definition?

Accepted Answer

"Age of subject" does not need to be operationally defined because it will be reported and described in the demographic data.
Dieting status requires definition because many types can be included.
Self-concept requires definition because it is a complex construct with many meanings.
Teenager needs to be defined to eliminate confusion over included ages.

Question 19

If a reviewer is asking "Does the summary of the current empirical and theoretical knowledge provide a basis for the study?", what part of the study is being critiqued?

Accepted Answer

Questions about the current empirical and theoretical knowledge address the literature review.
This question does not address the objectives, questions or hypotheses.
This question does not address the research problem or purpose.
This question does not address the study framework.

Question 20

What is the independent variable in the following hypothesis: teenagers who have a high self-concept will be less likely to diet than those with a low self-concept?

Accepted Answer

The self-concept influences the dieting status of the teenager and is the independent variable.
"Age of subject" is not a variable.
"Dieting status" is the dependent variable.
"Teenager" is not a variable in the study.

Quiz 12: Critical Appraisal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research for Nursing Practice