When designing a research study, the nurse should have which of these understandings about independent and dependent variables?
A) All research problem statements should contain a dependent and an independent variable.
B) There should only be one dependent variable associated with a single independent variable.
C) The relationship between the independent and the dependent variable in any study should be causal.
D) A given characteristic or situation may be the dependent variable in one study and the independent variable in another.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A given characteristic or situation may be the dependent variable in one study and the independent variable in another. This is because the designation of variables as independent or dependent is determined by the specific research question and study design, and can vary based on the context and variables being studied. It is important to clarify the roles of independent and dependent variables in each study to ensure that the research question is being answered appropriately. Option A is incorrect because some research questions may not involve both an independent and dependent variable. Option B is incorrect because multiple dependent variables may be associated with a single independent variable. Option C is incorrect because the relationship between independent and dependent variables may not always be causal, and may be correlational or associative in some studies.

When Designing a Research Study, the Nurse Should Have Which