Question 1

In a quasi-experimental study examining the effects of nonpharmacologic treatments on postoperative pain management,the researcher trains nursing staff so that all experimental group subjects receive the same types of treatments.This is an example of:
A) bias.
B) manipulation.
C) reliability.
D) validity.

Accepted Answer

This is an example of manipulation because the researcher is deliberately and systematically manipulating the nursing staff's training to ensure consistent treatment for the experimental group subjects.

Question 2

A nurse conducts a study to see whether there are differences in the number of books Latino parents and the number of books African-American parents read to their toddlers each week.Which type of study will this researcher utilize?
A) Comparative descriptive
B) Correlational
C) Cross-sectional
D) Longitudinal

Accepted Answer

The researcher is comparing the number of books read by Latino and African-American parents, making this study a comparative descriptive study. Correlational studies examine the relationship between variables, cross-sectional studies look at different groups at one point in time, and longitudinal studies follow the same group over an extended period of time.

Question 3

A study in which subjects are assigned by the researcher into experimental and control groups increases:
A) bias.
B) control.
C) manipulation
D) validity.

Accepted Answer

Bias occurs when the attitudes or motivations of the researcher cause a deviation from a true measurement of the study variables.This may occur when researchers control assignment to study groups.Control is used to manage manipulation of variables and to reduce extraneous factors in the environment that might alter outcomes.Manipulation of independent variables is used to evaluate changes in dependent variables.Researcher control over assignment into groups does not increase a study's validity.

Question 4

Which type of research design focuses on implementation of a treatment by the researcher?
A) Correlational
B) Descriptive
C) Experimental
D) Longitudinal

Accepted Answer

Experimental research design involves the implementation of a treatment or intervention by the researcher to determine its effectiveness in producing a desired outcome. This type of research design utilizes random assignment of participants to groups and manipulation of an independent variable to determine cause-and-effect relationships.

Question 5

A researcher reviews demographic characteristics of potential study subjects,such as age and gender,to determine whether these characteristics may influence the outcome of the study.This is done to help ensure:
A) construct validity.
B) external validity.
C) internal validity.
D) statistical conclusion validity.

Accepted Answer

Reviewing demographic characteristics of potential study subjects to determine whether they may influence the outcome of the study is done to ensure internal validity. This involves controlling for variables that may affect the outcome of the study and making sure that any observed effects are due to the intervention or treatment being studied, rather than extraneous factors. Construct validity refers to the extent to which a study measures what it is intended to measure, external validity refers to the generalizability of the study findings to other populations or settings, and statistical conclusion validity refers to the accuracy of statistical inferences in the study.

Question 6

A researcher wishes to conduct a study of a small number of subjects on a large hospital intensive care unit.To minimize problems associated with extraneous variables in the study setting,the researcher will:
A) ensure double-blind data collection methods.
B) randomly assign subjects to treatment and control groups.
C) test the reliability of study measures.
D) train a small number of nurses to administer the intervention.

Accepted Answer

Training a small number of nurses to administer the intervention will help to standardize the administration of the intervention and minimize the potential for extraneous variables introduced by different nurses administering the intervention in different ways. Double-blind data collection methods, randomly assigning subjects to treatment and control groups, and testing the reliability of study measures are all important steps in conducting a rigorous study, but they do not directly address extraneous variables in the study setting.

Question 7

A researcher conducts a quasi-experimental study to determine whether there is appropriate weight gain among premature infants who are fed according to cue-based protocols.The researcher trained neonatal intensive care nurses to apply cue-based feeding to orally fed infants and notes a statistical difference in weight gain between infants fed according to cue-based protocols and those fed according to standard protocols.The reviewer critiquing the study notes that not all nurses completed the cue-based feeding module.This would affect which type of validity?
A) Construct validity
B) External validity
C) Internal validity
D) Statistical conclusion validity

Accepted Answer

Statistical conclusion validity is concerned with whether the conclusions based on statistical analyses are an accurate reflection of the real world.This can be threatened by anything interfering with consistent implementation of a variable,including inadequate training of individuals who implement the intervention.Construct validity is concerned with the fit between conceptual and operational variables and requires adequate conceptual and operational definitions.External validity is concerned with the extent to which findings can be generalized beyond the study sample.Internal validity looks at the influence of extraneous variables on study outcomes.

Question 8

A researcher theorizes a set of relationships among concepts used to describe why patients with chronic illness are often depressed.To test the accuracy of these hypothesized relationships,which type of study will be used?
A) Descriptive correlational
B) Grounded theory
C) Model testing
D) Predictive correlational

Accepted Answer

A model testing study would be the best choice to test the accuracy of a set of relationships among concepts. This type of study involves testing a specific theory or model to see if it accurately represents the relationships between variables. Descriptive and predictive correlational studies only explore relationships between variables without testing a specific theory, while grounded theory is a method for developing theories rather than testing them.

Question 9

If a researcher wishes to describe variables and to examine many relationships in a study,which type of study design will the researcher employ?
A) Correlational
B) Descriptive
C) Descriptive correlational
D) Descriptive cross-sectional

Accepted Answer

A descriptive correlational design allows the researcher to describe variables and examine many relationships in a study. This design involves measuring two or more variables and examining the relationships between them without manipulating any variables.

Question 10

A researcher conducts a quasi-experimental study to determine whether there is improved weight gain among premature infants who are fed according to cue-based protocols.The researcher trained neonatal intensive care nurses to apply cue-based feeding to orally fed infants and notes a statistical difference in weight gain between infants fed according to cue-based protocols and those fed according to standard protocols.The reviewer notes that parents who gave consent to participate in the study were from a higher socioeconomic class than the population as a whole.This is a threat to:
A) construct validity.
B) external validity.
C) internal validity.
D) statistical conclusion validity.

Accepted Answer

The fact that the parents who participated in the study were from a higher socioeconomic class than the population as a whole is a potential source of selection bias that threatens external validity. It is possible that the results of the study may not generalize to premature infants from other socioeconomic backgrounds.

Question 11

Which statement is true about a descriptive study design?
A) It is not possible to operationally define variables in this type of study.
B) Sample selection and size cannot be controlled in descriptive studies.
C) This type of design is used to identify problems occurring in practice.
D) Variables may be manipulated to avoid bias in this type of study.

Accepted Answer

Descriptive study design is used to identify problems occurring in practice, such as the prevalence of a particular disease or health condition, and to describe the characteristics of a population or a phenomenon. A descriptive study does not manipulate variables but simply describes the situation as it is. Operational definition of variables is still relevant in descriptive studies. Sample selection can be controlled in descriptive studies, though it may not involve the same degree of control as in experimental studies.

Question 12

A researcher develops a 7-point Likert scale to evaluate feelings of well-being in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy.The researcher administers this measure to other,similar patients in other medical centers.This is done in order to:
A) decrease mono-operation bias.
B) improve the test-retest reliability.
C) increase interrater reliability.
D) strengthen the operational definition of constructs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A researcher develops a 7-point Likert scale...

Question 13

A researcher conducts a study to examine possible contributors to glycemic control in a group of subjects who have type 2 diabetes mellitus in a local community.A convenience sample of patients includes patients from 28 to 65 years old who range in weight from normal to obese,with time since diagnosis ranging from several months to several years.To determine causality in this study,the researcher will:
A) discuss outcomes in terms of the probability that education will improve glycemic control.
B) increase the manipulation of the independent variable to allow greater control by the researcher.
C) identify multicausal variables that may influence the outcome of glycemic control measures.
D) limit the study to younger persons only to minimize the effects of extraneous variables.

Accepted Answer

In order to determine causality in this study, the researcher will need to identify and account for multicausal variables that may influence the outcome of glycemic control measures. This will help control for extraneous variables and increase the likelihood that any observed effects can be attributed to the independent variable (in this case, the possible contributors to glycemic control). The other options are not appropriate or effective in establishing causality. Discussing outcomes in terms of probability does not establish causality, increasing manipulation of the independent variable may not be feasible or ethical, and limiting the study to younger persons only is not appropriate as age is likely to be a multicausal variable.

Question 14

A researcher conducts a quasi-experimental study to determine whether there is improved weight gain among premature infants who are fed according to cue-based protocols.The researcher trained neonatal intensive care nurses to apply cue-based feeding to orally fed infants and notes a statistical difference in weight gain between infants fed according to cue-based protocols and those fed according to standard protocols.Which might be a threat to internal validity in this study?
A) The concept of cue-based feeding is not well defined.
B) The study sample is homogeneous.
C) Some infants developed gastroenteritis.
D) Not all nurses received cue-based protocol education.

Accepted Answer

Internal validity looks at the influence of extraneous variables on study outcomes.Inadequate definitions of constructs are threats to construct validity.External validity is concerned with the extent to which findings can be generalized beyond the study sample.A study with a more homogenous sample is less likely to have findings that can be generalized to other populations.Statistical conclusion validity is concerned with whether the conclusions based on statistical analyses are an accurate reflection of the real world.If not,all nurses received cue-based education,the intervention implementation will be unreliable.

Question 15

A nurse researcher conducts a study to determine whether women who breastfeed their infants experience better sleep in the first two postpartum months.This study will employ which type of research design?
A) Correlational
B) Descriptive
C) Descriptive correlational
D) Predictive correlational

Accepted Answer

A predictive correlational design is used to predict the value of one variable based on the values obtained for another variable or variables.Correlational studies seek to examine relationships among variables without manipulation of a treatment by the researcher.A descriptive study is used to examine variables as they occur naturally without manipulation of variables.A descriptive correlational design is used to describe variables and examine relationships among these variables.

Question 16

A nurse researcher wishes to identify rates of pertussis infection in children less than one year of age and then again at 6 years of age to examine the relationship of immunization status on infection rates in this population.This is an example of which type of study design?
A) Correlational, longitudinal
B) Correlational, cross-sectional
C) Descriptive, longitudinal
D) Descriptive, cross-sectional

Accepted Answer

This study design is correlational and longitudinal because it examines the relationship between immunization status and infection rates over time, following the same group of children at different ages.

Question 17

In a research study,ambulatory clinic nurses teach children with asthma how to monitor peak expiratory flow volumes and how to use metered-dose inhalers to determine whether asthma control scores improve.The researcher discovers inconsistencies in how these measures were taught and how well the children understood the concepts.This represents a lack of:
A) control of extraneous variables.
B) internal validity.
C) intervention fidelity.
D) precision of measurement.

Accepted Answer

The inconsistencies in how the measures were taught and how well the children understood the concepts indicate a lack of intervention fidelity, meaning the intervention was not implemented as intended. This can impact the validity of the study results as the intervention may not have been effective due to the lack of consistency in implementation. Control of extraneous variables and precision of measurement may also be important factors in the study, but they are not directly related to the issue of inconsistent intervention implementation. Internal validity may be impacted by the lack of intervention fidelity, but it is not the most specific or accurate choice for this scenario.

Question 18

A researcher conducts a quasi-experimental study to determine whether there is improved weight gain among premature infants who are fed according to cue-based protocols.The researcher trained neonatal intensive care nurses to apply cue-based feeding to orally fed infants and notes a statistical difference in weight gain between infants fed according to cue-based protocols and those fed according to standard protocols.The reviewer notes that components of cue-based feedings are not clearly identified.This is a threat to:
A) construct validity.
B) external validity.
C) internal validity.
D) statistical conclusion validity.

Accepted Answer

The lack of clarity about the components of cue-based feedings threatens construct validity, which refers to the extent to which a study accurately measures and examines the construct or concept it is intended to investigate. In this case, the construct is the effectiveness of cue-based protocols for improving weight gain in premature infants. Without a clear understanding of the components of cue-based feedings, it is difficult to measure its effectiveness accurately, which threatens construct validity.

Question 19

A researcher administers a written test to evaluate knowledge of insulin administration and glucose monitoring to a group of subjects at annual intervals over the next decade.This is an example of which type of study design?
A) Correlational
B) Cross-sectional
C) Descriptive
D) Longitudinal

Accepted Answer

This is a longitudinal study design since the same group of subjects is studied over a period of time at annual intervals.

Question 20

A researcher wishes to conduct a correlational study to determine whether there is a relationship between stress levels and relapse rates among patients who have chronic conditions.In order to determine the existence of a relationship between these two variables,the researcher will attempt to:
A) manipulate the level of stress in study subjects.
B) obtain a large range of possible scores.
C) provide lengthy descriptions of subjects' behaviors.
D) randomly assign subjects to study groups.

Accepted Answer

In a correlational study, the goal is to determine whether there is a relationship between two variables. In order to do so, the researcher needs a large range of scores. Therefore, option B is the correct choice. Options A, C, and D are not applicable or relevant to a correlational study.

Quiz 8: Clarifying Quantitative Research Designs

In a quasi-experimental study examining the effects of nonpharmacologic treatments on postoperative pain management,the researcher trains nursing staff so that all experimental group subjects receive the same types of treatments.This is an example of:

A nurse conducts a study to see whether there are differences in the number of books Latino parents and the number of books African-American parents read to their toddlers each week.Which type of study will this researcher utilize?

A study in which subjects are assigned by the researcher into experimental and control groups increases:

Which type of research design focuses on implementation of a treatment by the researcher?

A researcher reviews demographic characteristics of potential study subjects,such as age and gender,to determine whether these characteristics may influence the outcome of the study.This is done to help ensure:

A researcher wishes to conduct a study of a small number of subjects on a large hospital intensive care unit.To minimize problems associated with extraneous variables in the study setting,the researcher will:

A researcher theorizes a set of relationships among concepts used to describe why patients with chronic illness are often depressed.To test the accuracy of these hypothesized relationships,which type of study will be used?

If a researcher wishes to describe variables and to examine many relationships in a study,which type of study design will the researcher employ?

Which statement is true about a descriptive study design?

A researcher develops a 7-point Likert scale to evaluate feelings of well-being in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy.The researcher administers this measure to other,similar patients in other medical centers.This is done in order to:

A nurse researcher conducts a study to determine whether women who breastfeed their infants experience better sleep in the first two postpartum months.This study will employ which type of research design?

A nurse researcher wishes to identify rates of pertussis infection in children less than one year of age and then again at 6 years of age to examine the relationship of immunization status on infection rates in this population.This is an example of which type of study design?

A researcher administers a written test to evaluate knowledge of insulin administration and glucose monitoring to a group of subjects at annual intervals over the next decade.This is an example of which type of study design?

A researcher wishes to conduct a correlational study to determine whether there is a relationship between stress levels and relapse rates among patients who have chronic conditions.In order to determine the existence of a relationship between these two variables,the researcher will attempt to: