Question 1

The researcher used word of mouth to accrue a sample of participants. This is most accurately referred to as what?

Accepted Answer

A)  Referral 
B)  Networking 
C)  Recruitment 
D)  Quasi-probability 
A)  Referral 
B)  Networking 
C)  Recruitment 
D)  Quasi-probability B

Question 2

A nurse researcher has made a generalization on the basis of the experience of a small number of participants. What will the result of this be?

Accepted Answer

A)  The small sample will invalidate the hypotheses. 
B)  The researcher will be unable to eliminate his or her bias. 
C)  The data obtained from a small number will inadequately represent the phenomenon. 
D)  The small number of participants will increase the threat to internal validity influenced by history. 
A)  The small sample will invalidate the hypotheses. 
B)  The researcher will be unable to eliminate his or her bias. 
C)  The data obtained from a small number will inadequately represent the phenomenon. 
D)  The small number of participants will increase the threat to internal validity influenced by history. C

Question 3

What are types of nonprobability of sampling? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  Purposive 
B)  Quota 
C)  Stratified random 
D)  Multistage (cluster) 
E)  Convenience 
A)  Purposive 
B)  Quota 
C)  Stratified random 
D)  Multistage (cluster) 
E)  Convenience A, B, E

Question 4

The nurse researcher knows that a sample is representative of a population when which statement is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  The sample is homogeneous. 
B)  All units of a population are included. 
C)  The most readily accessible persons are used as subjects. 
D)  The characteristics of the sample closely approximate those of the population. 
A)  The sample is homogeneous. 
B)  All units of a population are included. 
C)  The most readily accessible persons are used as subjects. 
D)  The characteristics of the sample closely approximate those of the population.

Question 5

A nurse researcher should attempt to clearly specify exclusion criteria for a study sample because such criteria will do what?

Accepted Answer

A)  Limit the time needed to complete the study 
B)  Reduce the effect of extraneous variables on the accurate evaluation of the outcome variable 
C)  Eliminate the outside influences and inferences regarding the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention 
D)  Ensure that an adequate sample size is accrued to meet assumptions for accurate statistical analysis 
A)  Limit the time needed to complete the study 
B)  Reduce the effect of extraneous variables on the accurate evaluation of the outcome variable 
C)  Eliminate the outside influences and inferences regarding the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention 
D)  Ensure that an adequate sample size is accrued to meet assumptions for accurate statistical analysis

Question 6

The primary characteristic of a probability sample is considered to be what?

Accepted Answer

A)  Self-selection of subjects 
B)  Random selection of the sample 
C)  Subjects handpicked by the researcher 
D)  Representation of proportional segments of the population 
A)  Self-selection of subjects 
B)  Random selection of the sample 
C)  Subjects handpicked by the researcher 
D)  Representation of proportional segments of the population

Question 7

How can a nurse researcher tell the difference between an accessible population and a target population?

Accepted Answer

A)  The accessible population meets the inclusion criteria, and the target population meets the exclusion criteria. 
B)  The target population meets the inclusion criteria, and the accessible population meets the exclusion criteria. 
C)  The accessible population represents the entire set of cases the researcher wishes to study, and the target population represents that part of the accessible population that could feasibly be included in the study. 
D)  The target population represents the entire set of cases the researcher wishes to study, and the accessible population represents that part of the target population that could feasibly be included in the study. 
A)  The accessible population meets the inclusion criteria, and the target population meets the exclusion criteria. 
B)  The target population meets the inclusion criteria, and the accessible population meets the exclusion criteria. 
C)  The accessible population represents the entire set of cases the researcher wishes to study, and the target population represents that part of the accessible population that could feasibly be included in the study. 
D)  The target population represents the entire set of cases the researcher wishes to study, and the accessible population represents that part of the target population that could feasibly be included in the study.

Question 8

The nurse researcher is deciding on a sampling strategy for the research study. Which type(s) of strategies would be considered to be probability sampling strategies? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  Convenience 
B)  Quota 
C)  Simple random 
D)  Cluster 
E)  Purposive
F) Stratified random 
A)  Convenience 
B)  Quota 
C)  Simple random 
D)  Cluster 
E)  Purposive
F) Stratified random

Question 9

The nurse researcher is attempting to develop a purposive sampling strategy as part of a research study. What criteria will be used to determine whether the strategy is purposive? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)  Validation of scale with a known-group technique 
B)  Focus of study population relates to specific diagnosis 
C)  Focus of study population relates to broad, general topic 
D)  Effective posttesting of instruments 
E)  Collection of exploratory data
F) Collection of descriptive data 
A)  Validation of scale with a known-group technique 
B)  Focus of study population relates to specific diagnosis 
C)  Focus of study population relates to broad, general topic 
D)  Effective posttesting of instruments 
E)  Collection of exploratory data
F) Collection of descriptive data

Question 10

The nurse researcher can most accurately determine sample size by considering what?

Accepted Answer

A)  The stamina of the researcher in data collection 
B)  The importance of the independent variable 
C)  The age of the potential subjects 
D)  The design of the study 
A)  The stamina of the researcher in data collection 
B)  The importance of the independent variable 
C)  The age of the potential subjects 
D)  The design of the study

Question 11

What can a nurse researcher use to restrict the study population to homogeneous groups of subjects?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sampling 
B)  Self-selection 
C)  Eligibility criteria 
D)  Defining study limitations 
A)  Sampling 
B)  Self-selection 
C)  Eligibility criteria 
D)  Defining study limitations

Question 12

A nurse researcher would hesitate to use nonprobability sampling because:

Accepted Answer

A)  It will result in reduced or limited generalizability. 
B)  Informed consent must be obtained. 
C)  It will require large, unmanageable sample sizes. 
D)  Sample sizes are too small for most methods of statistical analysis. 
A)  It will result in reduced or limited generalizability. 
B)  Informed consent must be obtained. 
C)  It will require large, unmanageable sample sizes. 
D)  Sample sizes are too small for most methods of statistical analysis.

Question 13

A research consumer should evaluate sample size in a research report by doing what?

Accepted Answer

A)  By asking how many assistants were involved in data collection 
B)  By asking how representative the sample is relative to the target population 
C)  By asking how great the outcome difference is between or among study groups 
D)  By asking how many previous studies the researcher has conducted on similar topics 
A)  By asking how many assistants were involved in data collection 
B)  By asking how representative the sample is relative to the target population 
C)  By asking how great the outcome difference is between or among study groups 
D)  By asking how many previous studies the researcher has conducted on similar topics

Question 14

A nurse researcher opts to use a stratified sample in a research study for which reason?

Accepted Answer

A)  The sample population is divided into subsets that are homogeneous for a particular trait or feature. 
B)  The sample population is divided into subsets for random assignment into an intervention or a usual-care group. 
C)  The sample population is randomly assigned to a specific subgroup that will vary from the others on the basis of type of treatment. 
D)  The sample population is randomly assigned to a specific subgroup that will vary from the others on the basis of treatment duration. 
A)  The sample population is divided into subsets that are homogeneous for a particular trait or feature. 
B)  The sample population is divided into subsets for random assignment into an intervention or a usual-care group. 
C)  The sample population is randomly assigned to a specific subgroup that will vary from the others on the basis of type of treatment. 
D)  The sample population is randomly assigned to a specific subgroup that will vary from the others on the basis of treatment duration.

Question 15

A nurse researcher can most accurately use the technique of power analysis to do what?

Accepted Answer

A)  To estimate sample size 
B)  To establish sampling strata 
C)  To assign subjects randomly 
D)  To analyze sample representativeness 
A)  To estimate sample size 
B)  To establish sampling strata 
C)  To assign subjects randomly 
D)  To analyze sample representativeness

Question 16

Which type of sampling is most at risk for sample bias?

Accepted Answer

A)  Quota 
B)  Random 
C)  Purposive 
D)  Convenience 
A)  Quota 
B)  Random 
C)  Purposive 
D)  Convenience

Question 17

The nurse researcher selects matching as a technique in a research study. What does the technique of matching in a sampling strategy contribute to the research?

Accepted Answer

A)  Improved overall design of the study 
B)  Elimination of the need for a control group 
C)  Increased equivalency of the comparison group 
D)  Reduced sample size; subjects serve as their own controls 
A)  Improved overall design of the study 
B)  Elimination of the need for a control group 
C)  Increased equivalency of the comparison group 
D)  Reduced sample size; subjects serve as their own controls

Question 18

A nurse researcher should be concerned about establishing clear eligibility criteria for inclusion in a study sample because such criteria will do what?

Accepted Answer

A)  Increase the homogeneity of the sample 
B)  Decrease the homogeneity of the sample 
C)  Increase the size of the sample 
D)  Decrease the size of the sample 
A)  Increase the homogeneity of the sample 
B)  Decrease the homogeneity of the sample 
C)  Increase the size of the sample 
D)  Decrease the size of the sample

Question 19

How should a nurse researcher expect a sample to differ from a population?

Accepted Answer

A)  A sample can mean objects or events, whereas population refers to individuals or groups of people. 
B)  A population has a broad set of defining characteristics, and a sample has a narrow set of defining characteristics. 
C)  A population is a representative segment of a defined sample. 
D)  A sample is a representative segment of a defined population. 
A)  A sample can mean objects or events, whereas population refers to individuals or groups of people. 
B)  A population has a broad set of defining characteristics, and a sample has a narrow set of defining characteristics. 
C)  A population is a representative segment of a defined sample. 
D)  A sample is a representative segment of a defined population.

Question 20

Which statement is most accurate regarding inclusion and exclusion criteria?

Accepted Answer

A)  These criteria are not needed when the population being studied is composed of events. 
B)  These criteria serve to ensure that the characteristics of the sample and the population are congruent. 
C)  Inclusion criteria are used to define the independent variables, and exclusion criteria are used to define dependent variables. 
D)  Inclusion criteria are used to define the dependent variables, and exclusion criteria are used to define independent variables. 
A)  These criteria are not needed when the population being studied is composed of events. 
B)  These criteria serve to ensure that the characteristics of the sample and the population are congruent. 
C)  Inclusion criteria are used to define the independent variables, and exclusion criteria are used to define dependent variables. 
D)  Inclusion criteria are used to define the dependent variables, and exclusion criteria are used to define independent variables.

Exam 12: Sampling

The researcher used word of mouth to accrue a sample of participants. This is most accurately referred to as what?

A nurse researcher has made a generalization on the basis of the experience of a small number of participants. What will the result of this be?

What are types of nonprobability of sampling? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse researcher knows that a sample is representative of a population when which statement is true?

A nurse researcher should attempt to clearly specify exclusion criteria for a study sample because such criteria will do what?

The primary characteristic of a probability sample is considered to be what?

How can a nurse researcher tell the difference between an accessible population and a target population?

The nurse researcher is deciding on a sampling strategy for the research study. Which type(s) of strategies would be considered to be probability sampling strategies? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse researcher is attempting to develop a purposive sampling strategy as part of a research study. What criteria will be used to determine whether the strategy is purposive? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse researcher can most accurately determine sample size by considering what?

What can a nurse researcher use to restrict the study population to homogeneous groups of subjects?

A nurse researcher would hesitate to use nonprobability sampling because:

A research consumer should evaluate sample size in a research report by doing what?

A nurse researcher opts to use a stratified sample in a research study for which reason?

A nurse researcher can most accurately use the technique of power analysis to do what?

Which type of sampling is most at risk for sample bias?

The nurse researcher selects matching as a technique in a research study. What does the technique of matching in a sampling strategy contribute to the research?

A nurse researcher should be concerned about establishing clear eligibility criteria for inclusion in a study sample because such criteria will do what?

How should a nurse researcher expect a sample to differ from a population?

Which statement is most accurate regarding inclusion and exclusion criteria?

Integrating Research, Evidence-Based Practice, and Quality Improvement Processes

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Introduction to Qualitative Research

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