Question 1

A researcher administers two instruments known to measure opposite concepts and performs correlational analyses on the results.The original measure has a negative correlation of ?7?0.6 with the new measure.This indicates:
A) both measures are valid.
B) neither measure is valid.
C) only the first measure is valid.
D) only the second measure is valid.

Accepted Answer

The negative correlation between the two measures indicates that they are measuring opposite concepts. However, the fact that they both show significant correlations suggests that they are valid measures of those concepts. Therefore, both measures can be considered valid despite measuring opposing concepts.

Question 2

Which is true about using data from an existing database?
A) It allows larger sampling and complex analyses.
B) The burden on participants is higher than when primary data collection is used.
C) The researcher is able to draw upon data that are specific to a particular study.
D) Research reports do not have to describe data collection procedures.

Accepted Answer

Using data from an existing database allows for larger sample sizes and more complex analyses since the data has already been collected.

Answer: B 
 Participants may not have consented to have their data used for a secondary analysis, so the burden on them could be higher than with primary data collection.

Answer: C 
 Using data from an existing database can allow for more specific data to be used for a particular study.

Answer: D 
 Research reports still need to describe the data source and any relevant details about the database used, even if the data was not collected by the researcher themselves.

Question 3

Which statement is true about using a questionnaire to collect data?
A) Questions are presented consistently with less chance for bias than with an interview.
B) Questionnaires are generally more expensive than interviewing techniques.
C) Subjects usually give more in-depth answers when responding to questionnaires.
D) The response rate is generally higher than when using interviews to collect data.

Accepted Answer

Using a questionnaire ensures consistent presentation of questions, reducing the chance of bias compared to an interview. However, response rates may be lower than with interviews and questionnaires can be expensive to develop and distribute. In terms of depth of answers, it ultimately depends on the design of the questionnaire and the types of questions being asked.

Question 4

When documenting reports that previous research has demonstrated the accuracy of a physiologic measure,the researcher is addressing the measure's:
A) equivalence.
B) homogeneity.
C) reliability.
D) validity.

Accepted Answer

Validity refers to the degree to which a measure accurately captures what it is intended to measure. Documentation of previous research demonstrating the accuracy of a physiologic measure directly relates to its validity. Equivalence speaks to the degree to which two or more measures are equivalent, homogeneity refers to the degree to which items in a measure are similar to each other, and reliability refers to the consistency and stability of a measure over time.

Question 5

Which is true about a test that is highly sensitive for detecting a disease?
A) There is a high probability of having a false negative result.
B) There is a high probability of having a false positive result.
C) There is a low probability of having a false negative result.
D) There is a low probability of having a false positive result.

Accepted Answer

A test that is highly sensitive for detecting a disease means that it correctly identifies most of the people who have the disease, resulting in a low probability of having a false negative result. However, it may still have a moderate to high probability of having a false positive result.

Question 6

A screening test has a specificity of 92%.This means that there is a(n):
A) 92% chance of a true positive.
B) 92% chance of a false positive.
C) 8% chance of a false positive.
D) 8% chance of a true positive.

Accepted Answer

A test with a specificity rating of 92% is very good at identifying patients who do not have a disease.If the test is very specific,there is a low chance of false positives.In this case the chance of a false positive is 8%.A 92% specificity rating indicates a 92% chance that the test is negative and the patient does not have the disease.

Question 7

A researcher reports that a measure is highly sensitive when diagnosing patients.The reviewer understands that this test:
A) has a low percentage of false negatives.
B) has a low percentage of false positives.
C) has a high percentage of false negatives.
D) has a high percentage of false positives.

Accepted Answer

Tests that are highly sensitive have a low percentage of false negatives.A test that is highly specific has a low percentage of false positives.

Question 8

A researcher uses a checklist of questions to ask participants while collecting data for a study.This represents which type of data collection?
A) Structured interview
B) Structured questionnaire
C) Unstructured interview
D) Unstructured questionnaire

Accepted Answer

The use of a checklist of questions indicates that the researcher is conducting a structured interview, where the questions are predetermined and asked in a standardized manner. A structured questionnaire would involve participants filling out a written list of predetermined questions, but the scenario describes a researcher asking participants directly, indicating an interview. Unstructured interviews and questionnaires allow for more flexibility and open-ended questioning, which is not reflected in the use of a checklist in this scenario.

Question 9

A researcher evaluating the weight of subjects who are obese ensures that the scales used are maintained and calibrated according to the manufacturer's recommendations.This is to ensure:
A) accuracy.
B) convergence.
C) precision.
D) validity.

Accepted Answer

Precision is the degree of consistency or reproducibility of measurements made with physiological instruments and is comparable to reliability in psychosocial measures.Accuracy is comparable to validity,addressing the extent to which the instrument measures what it is supposed to measure.Evidence of validity from convergence is determined when a relatively new instrument is compared with an existing instrument that measures the same construct.Validity addresses the extent to which the instrument measures what it is supposed to measure.

Question 10

What type of information is typically found in an administrative database?
A) Data collected for a specific research study
B) Demographic information about a population
C) Journal accounts of subjects' responses to surveys
D) Statistical results of experimental studies

Accepted Answer

Administrative databases typically contain demographic information about a population, such as age, gender, race, and income. This type of information is useful for various purposes like policymaking, resource allocation, or health care provision. The other options, such as data collected for specific research studies, subjects' responses to surveys, or statistical results of experimental studies, would be more likely to be found in research databases or academic journals.

Question 11

Which type of scale is most commonly used in a survey of patient satisfaction?
A) Likert scale
B) Numeric rating scale
C) Rating scale
D) Visual analog scale

Accepted Answer

The Likert scale is the most commonly used type of scale in a survey of patient satisfaction because it allows respondents to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement with a statement using a range of options. This provides more nuanced data and allows for better analysis than a simple yes/no question or numeric rating scale.

Question 12

In a study evaluating pulse oximetry measures in infants,a researcher notes that the pulse oximeter probes are attached to infants' feet in different ways.This represents which type of measurement error?
A) Environmental
B) Equipment
C) Subject
D) User

Accepted Answer

User errors are caused by the person using the equipment and can include variations by the same user,different users,or changes in supplies used to operate the equipment.Environmental error includes things such as temperature,barometric pressure,or static electricity that might affect how well the equipment works or how the subject responds.Equipment error may be related to calibration or the stability of the equipment.Subject error occurs if the subject alters the equipment or the equipment alters the subject.

Question 13

Which is important when using observational measurement in order to produce reliable data?
A) Data collectors will record observations in their own words.
B) Each subject should have different observers to record responses.
C) Observations will be spontaneously recorded as they occur.
D) Researchers will develop checklists of notable behaviors for observers to use.

Accepted Answer

Developing checklists of notable behaviors for observers to use ensures that the observations are systematic and consistent, which increases the reliability of the data collected. A) Recording observations in their own words can lead to inconsistencies and subjectivity. B) Having different observers for each subject can lead to inconsistencies in how observations are made. C) Spontaneous recordings may not capture all relevant behaviors or may miss important details.

Question 14

An instrument that detects the presence of streptococcal antibodies is negative.Before reporting the absence of disease,the researcher must determine whether this result might be a:
A) false negative.
B) false positive.
C) gold standard.
D) true positive.

Accepted Answer

A negative result could potentially be a false negative, meaning that the instrument failed to detect the presence of antibodies even though the person has been infected with streptococcal bacteria. A false positive (indicating the presence of antibodies when there are none) would not be a concern in this scenario. Gold standard refers to a test or procedure that is considered the best method for determining the presence of a disease, but is not relevant to this specific question. True positive would refer to a positive result indicating the presence of antibodies, which is not the case here.

Question 15

In a study measuring oxygen saturation levels in infants,the researcher notes that data collectors record low saturation levels that occur when the heart rate is erratic and the infants are irritable and actively moving around.This will likely result in which type of measurement error?
A) Environmental
B) Equipment
C) Interpretation
D) User

Accepted Answer

This type of error is likely due to interpretation, as the data collectors may have difficulty accurately measuring the oxygen saturation levels in infants who are moving around and exhibiting erratic heart rates, which can lead to low readings.

Question 16

A researcher wishes to evaluate the reliability of a visual analog pain scale in a group of postoperative patients.The best way to do this is to compare results:
A) to results of the test when given to another set of subjects.
B) to results from the same subjects using the FACES rating scale.
C) to results from a previous measure with a different visual analog scale.
D) to results from a group of subjects who have minimal or no pain.

Accepted Answer

Reliability of a visual analog scale is best determined by the test-retest method,so the researcher should administer the test to two sets of subjects and compare the results.Comparing results using two different instruments does not determine reliability of the first measure.Comparing results from a previous measure using another version of the scale is a measure of alternate forms reliability.Changing the population does not allow for a test of the reliability of the measurement tool.

Question 17

Which is true about a test that is highly specific?
A) It is good at identifying patients who do not have a disease.
B) It is good at identifying patients who have a disease.
C) It results in an increased number of false negatives.
D) It results in an increased number of false positives.

Accepted Answer

A highly specific test means that it is good at correctly identifying patients who do not have a disease, and therefore, it would result in fewer false positives.

Question 18

Which generally is an advantage of using primary data in a research study?
A) It allows researchers to conduct more longitudinal studies.
B) It has greater specificity to the study purpose.
C) It puts less burden on study participants.
D) It reduces the cost of data collection.

Accepted Answer

Primary data is collected directly from the source, such as through surveys, interviews, or observations. This allows researchers to tailor the data collection process to the specific research question, resulting in greater specificity to the study purpose.

Question 19

Which data represent the lowest form of measurement?
A) Levels of anxiety on a scale from mild to severe
B) Race and ethnicity classification
C) Temperature of subjects after an intervention
D) Weight, height, and body mass index

Accepted Answer

Race and ethnicity classification is the lowest form of measurement because it is a nominal level of measurement which only provides categories without any numerical or quantitative value. The other options involve at least ordinal or interval level measurements.

Question 20

A researcher administers a scale measuring self-confidence and one measuring self-doubt to a group of subjects and performs a correlational analysis of the results.This is a test of validity from:
A) contrasting groups.
B) convergence.
C) divergence.
D) readability.

Accepted Answer

Evidence of validity from divergence is determined by asking subjects to complete tools that measure opposite concepts.Evidence of validity from contrasting groups can be tested by identifying groups that are expected or known to have contrasting scores on an instrument.Evidence of validity from convergence is determined when a relatively new instrument is compared with an existing instrument that measures the same construct.Readability level focuses on the subjects' ability to read and comprehend the content of an instrument.

Quiz 10: Clarifying Measurement and Data Collection in Quantitative Research

A researcher administers two instruments known to measure opposite concepts and performs correlational analyses on the results.The original measure has a negative correlation of ?7?0.6 with the new measure.This indicates:

Which is true about using data from an existing database?

Which statement is true about using a questionnaire to collect data?

When documenting reports that previous research has demonstrated the accuracy of a physiologic measure,the researcher is addressing the measure's:

Which is true about a test that is highly sensitive for detecting a disease?

A screening test has a specificity of 92%.This means that there is a(n) :

A researcher reports that a measure is highly sensitive when diagnosing patients.The reviewer understands that this test:

A researcher uses a checklist of questions to ask participants while collecting data for a study.This represents which type of data collection?

A researcher evaluating the weight of subjects who are obese ensures that the scales used are maintained and calibrated according to the manufacturer's recommendations.This is to ensure:

What type of information is typically found in an administrative database?

Which type of scale is most commonly used in a survey of patient satisfaction?

In a study evaluating pulse oximetry measures in infants,a researcher notes that the pulse oximeter probes are attached to infants' feet in different ways.This represents which type of measurement error?

Which is important when using observational measurement in order to produce reliable data?

An instrument that detects the presence of streptococcal antibodies is negative.Before reporting the absence of disease,the researcher must determine whether this result might be a:

In a study measuring oxygen saturation levels in infants,the researcher notes that data collectors record low saturation levels that occur when the heart rate is erratic and the infants are irritable and actively moving around.This will likely result in which type of measurement error?

A researcher wishes to evaluate the reliability of a visual analog pain scale in a group of postoperative patients.The best way to do this is to compare results:

Which is true about a test that is highly specific?

Which generally is an advantage of using primary data in a research study?

Which data represent the lowest form of measurement?

A researcher administers a scale measuring self-confidence and one measuring self-doubt to a group of subjects and performs a correlational analysis of the results.This is a test of validity from: