Question 1

The statement,"Do patients who receive care in a Patient-Centered Medical Home have fewer emergency department visits than those who do not?" is an example of a research
A) aim.
B) hypothesis.
C) method.
D) question.

Accepted Answer

A research question is a concise interrogative statement that is worded in the present tense,includes one or more variables,and guides the implementation of studies by asking whether or not there is a relationship between the variables.The research objective or aim is a clear,concise,declarative statement that is expressed in the present tense and which focuses on one or two variables,indicating whether they are to be identified or described.The hypothesis is a formal statement about an expected relationship between two or more variables.The research methodology identifies sampling and measurement techniques.

Question 2

Which statement in a study about preoperative education and postoperative recovery times represents a research question?
A) "What are the types of preoperative education materials that may be used?"
B) "What are the constructs that facilitate adult learning among patients?"
C) "What preoperative teaching will shorten postoperative recovery time?"
D) "What is already known about preoperative teaching and postoperative recovery?"

Accepted Answer

A research question focuses on description of variables or concepts,examination of relationships among variables,and determination of differences between two or more groups regarding selected variables.The characteristic of a variable is given in the operational definition.The theoretical framework identifies constructs and theories about the research study.The background about what is already known about the topic for conducting is described in the literature review.

Question 3

In a research proposal,the researcher states that the proposed study will explore children's feelings about chemotherapy side effects.This statement describes the
A) problem background.
B) problem significance.
C) research problem.
D) research purpose.

Accepted Answer

The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study.The problem background identifies what is already known about the topic.The problem statement is written after the research problem has been identified.The significance of the research identifies how important the knowledge is to the discipline.The problem provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for nursing practice.

Question 4

In a study comparing the effects of complementary therapies on pain scores and narcotic analgesic use in homeless women and women who own homes,which of the following is a demographic variable?
A) Complementary therapies
B) Homeless women
C) Narcotic analgesic use
D) Pain scores

Accepted Answer

Demographic variables are characteristics or attributes of subjects that are collected to describe the sample.Complementary therapy is the independent variable.Narcotic analgesic use and pain scores are dependent variables.Pain scores are a dependent variable.

Question 5

All of the following aspects of a research proposal are part of the research hypothesis except
A) methodology.
B) outcomes.
C) population.
D) variables.

Accepted Answer

The methodology is not described in the research hypothesis statement.The hypothesis is a formal statement about an expected relationship between two or more variables.It will mention the expected outcomes,the population being studied,and the specific variables.The hypothesis is a formal statement about an expected relationship between two or more variables.It will mention the expected outcomes,the population being studied,and the specific variables.The hypothesis is a formal statement about an expected relationship between two or more variables.It will mention the expected outcomes,the population being studied,and the specific variables.

Question 6

Which statement is a research purpose for a correlational study?
A) "This study will compare the effects of an oral antidiabetic medication to effects of a placebo on glucose control in groups of randomly assigned subjects."
B) "This study will examine whether pre-appointment telephone reminders increase show rate among patients in an ambulatory well-patient clinic."
C) "This study will use direct observation to identify methods parents use to discipline children in public places."
D) "This study will use questionnaires and school transcripts to examine the relationship of dietary habits to grades among school-age children."

Accepted Answer

Correlational research is conducted to examine whether there is a positive or negative relationship among variables without attributing cause and effect.A study looking at the effects of an experimental intervention on randomly assigned subjects to affect a specific outcome is an experimental study.A study to look at the effects of an intervention on an outcome is a quasi-experimental study.A study to observe and describe behaviors without examining relationships among variables and without manipulation of the variables by researchers is a descriptive study.

Question 7

The statement in the introduction of a research study report-"while children who have higher asthma control scores tend to have fewer emergency department visits for asthma exacerbations,it is unclear how nursing interventions can impact these scores"-represents the
A) problem background.
B) problem significance.
C) research problem.
D) research purpose.

Accepted Answer

The significance for the research identifies how important the knowledge is to the discipline and to health care and the health of individuals and families.The problem background identifies what is already known about the topic.The problem statement is written after the research problem has been identified.The problem provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for nursing practice.The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study.

Question 8

A reviewer assesses a potential researcher's credentials and experience,the availability of funding and resources,and ethical considerations of a potential study.This represents evaluation of a study's
A) expertise.
B) feasibility.
C) purpose.
D) significance.

Accepted Answer

The feasibility of a study is determined by examining the researcher's qualifications,the funding and resources available to conduct the study,the availability of subjects,facilities,and equipment,and ethical considerations.Expertise refers to the researcher's qualifications,credentials,and experience.The study purpose identifies the focus and goals of the study.The significance identifies the importance of the study to the body of knowledge and to practice.

Question 9

The most important initial step when developing a research study is to
A) develop the problem statement.
B) explore the background for the research problem.
C) identify the research problem.
D) state the research purpose.

Accepted Answer

The problem provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for nursing practice.The problem statement is written after the research problem has been identified.The background for the research problem is written to identify what is known about the research problem.The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study.

Question 10

The statements in the introductory paragraphs of a research report that cite results of previous studies about a research problem represent the
A) problem background.
B) problem significance.
C) problem statement.
D) research purpose.

Accepted Answer

The problem background identifies what is already known about the topic.The problem statement is written after the research problem has been identified.The significance for the research identifies how important the knowledge is to the discipline and to health care and the health of individuals and families.The problem provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for nursing practice.The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study.

Question 11

The nurse researcher states that a research purpose is to measure the effects of bar code medication administration on medication errors.This is a study purpose for which type of research?
A) Correlational
B) Grounded theory
C) Outcomes
D) Quasi-experimental

Accepted Answer

Outcomes studies are conducted to examine the end results of care.Correlational research is conducted to determine whether there are relationships among variables.Grounded theory research is designed to determine how theory explains phenomena being studied.Quasi-experimental research requires some manipulation of variables and comparison of groups.

Question 12

Which component of a research study is exemplified in the statement,"This study identifies various themes associated with parenting children who have chronic disease?"
A) Aim or objective
B) Hypothesis
C) Research methodology
D) Research problem

Accepted Answer

A research objective or aim is a clear,concise,declarative statement that is expressed in the present tense and which focuses on one or two variables,indicating whether they are to be identified or described.The hypothesis is a formal statement about an expected relationship between two or more variables.The research methodology identifies sampling and measurement techniques.The research problem identifies gaps in knowledge.

Question 13

A nursing researcher determines that there is little information about the use of complementary practices in treating obesity.This represents the research
A) design.
B) problem.
C) purpose.
D) significance.

Accepted Answer

The problem provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for nursing practice.The research design is the type of study that will be conducted to study the research problem.The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study.The problem statement is written after the research problem has been identified.The significance for the research identifies how important the knowledge is to the discipline.

Question 14

Hypotheses to be tested in a research study are frequently found in
A) both quantitative and qualitative research studies.
B) qualitative research studies.
C) neither qualitative nor quantitative research studies.
D) quantitative research studies.

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is the formal statement of the expected relationship(s)between two or more variables in a specified population in a quantitative research study.A qualitative research study often includes problems,purposes,and research questions or aims to direct the research study.

Question 15

In a research proposal,the author describes what is already known about the research topic.This would be included in the discussion of the study's
A) background.
B) feasibility.
C) purpose.
D) significance.

Accepted Answer

The background section describes research about the problem performed to date.In the section about a study's feasibility,the researcher's expertise,funding resources,availability of subjects and settings,and ethical considerations are examined.The research purpose identifies specific goals and the focus of the study.The study's significance discusses the importance of the study to the discipline.

Question 16

Identify the independent variable in the following hypothesis: "Mothers of infants born with spina bifida who participate in support groups report higher levels of confidence when caring for their infants than do mothers who do not participate in support groups."
A) Confidence in caring for their infants
B) Infants with spina bifida
C) Mothers of infants with spina bifida
D) Support group participation

Accepted Answer

An independent variable is a stimulus or activity that is manipulated or varied by the researcher to create an effect on the dependent variable.In this example,use of support groups is the "treatment" that is being used to manipulate levels of confidence in caring for their infants.Infants with spina bifida are part of the criteria for inclusion in the study.The level of confidence in caring for their infants is the dependent variable.It is measured as a response to whether or not the mothers received the "treatment" of using a support group.The mothers of infants with spina bifida are criteria for inclusion as subjects in the study and are not variables.

Question 17

Which is included in a statement of a research study purpose?
A) A description of gaps in knowledge about the research problem
B) A discussion of the significance of the research problem
C) A review of what is known about the research problem
D) A statement about how the research problem will be studied

Accepted Answer

The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study.The problem provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for nursing practice.The significance for the research identifies how important the knowledge is to the discipline.The problem background identifies what is already known about the topic.The problem statement is written after the research problem has been identified.

Question 18

When writing a proposal for a research study,the researcher includes a problem statement that serves to
A) define the specific focus of a study.
B) describe what is known about the research problem.
C) identify a gap in knowledge needed for practice.
D) indicate the importance of the problem to nursing.

Accepted Answer

The problem provides the basis for developing the research purpose and identifies gaps in knowledge needed for nursing practice.The research purpose derives from the research problem and identifies specific goals for the study.The problem background identifies what is already known about the topic.The problem statement is written after the research problem has been identified.The significance for the research identifies how important the knowledge is to the discipline.

Question 19

A statement about the significance of a study describes the
A) influence of results on nursing practice.
B) relationship among study variables.
C) study design and methods.
D) validity of the study measurement tools.

Accepted Answer

The statement about the significance of the study identifies its importance to the body of knowledge and to nursing practice.The research purpose and research question identify proposed relationships among study variables.The study design and methods describe the type of study,sampling techniques,and tools used to evaluate data.The validity of measurement tools is determined by whether the tools measure what they claim to measure.

Question 20

What type of hypothesis is the following? "Children with cystic fibrosis who use a cough assist device will experience less anxiety about their disease and have fewer inpatient hospital admissions per year."
A) Complex,directional
B) Complex,null
C) Simple,associative
D) Simple,nondirectional

Accepted Answer

A complex hypothesis predicts the relationship among three or more variables.In this example,the variables are cough assist devices (independent),hospital admissions (dependent),and anxiety (dependent).A directional hypothesis states the nature of the interaction between two or more variables.In this example,the direction is indicated by the prediction "experience less anxiety." A complex hypothesis is correct,but the null hypothesis predicts no difference.This study has more than two variables (not simple)and indicates a direction and not just an association.A simple hypothesis has only two variables (this study has more than two),and there is a direction predicted (experiencing less anxiety and having fewer inpatient hospital admissions).

Quiz 5: Examining Research Problems, Purposes, and Hypotheses

The statement,"Do patients who receive care in a Patient-Centered Medical Home have fewer emergency department visits than those who do not?" is an example of a research

Which statement in a study about preoperative education and postoperative recovery times represents a research question?

In a research proposal,the researcher states that the proposed study will explore children's feelings about chemotherapy side effects.This statement describes the

In a study comparing the effects of complementary therapies on pain scores and narcotic analgesic use in homeless women and women who own homes,which of the following is a demographic variable?

All of the following aspects of a research proposal are part of the research hypothesis except

Which statement is a research purpose for a correlational study?

The statement in the introduction of a research study report-"while children who have higher asthma control scores tend to have fewer emergency department visits for asthma exacerbations,it is unclear how nursing interventions can impact these scores"-represents the

A reviewer assesses a potential researcher's credentials and experience,the availability of funding and resources,and ethical considerations of a potential study.This represents evaluation of a study's

The most important initial step when developing a research study is to

The statements in the introductory paragraphs of a research report that cite results of previous studies about a research problem represent the

The nurse researcher states that a research purpose is to measure the effects of bar code medication administration on medication errors.This is a study purpose for which type of research?

Which component of a research study is exemplified in the statement,"This study identifies various themes associated with parenting children who have chronic disease?"

A nursing researcher determines that there is little information about the use of complementary practices in treating obesity.This represents the research

Hypotheses to be tested in a research study are frequently found in

In a research proposal,the author describes what is already known about the research topic.This would be included in the discussion of the study's

Identify the independent variable in the following hypothesis: "Mothers of infants born with spina bifida who participate in support groups report higher levels of confidence when caring for their infants than do mothers who do not participate in support groups."

Which is included in a statement of a research study purpose?

When writing a proposal for a research study,the researcher includes a problem statement that serves to

A statement about the significance of a study describes the

What type of hypothesis is the following? "Children with cystic fibrosis who use a cough assist device will experience less anxiety about their disease and have fewer inpatient hospital admissions per year."