Question 1

What is the term used to describe the experimental treatment initiated by the researcher?

Accepted Answer

A)  Independent variable 
B)  Dependent variable 
C)  Extraneous variable 
D)  Outcome variable 
A)  Independent variable 
B)  Dependent variable 
C)  Extraneous variable 
D)  Outcome variable A

Question 2

Which of the following factors or characteristics is present only in true experimental design (and not in a quasi-experimental design)?

Accepted Answer

A)  Research question or hypothesis 
B)  Experimental treatment 
C)  Informed consent 
D)  Randomization 
A)  Research question or hypothesis 
B)  Experimental treatment 
C)  Informed consent 
D)  Randomization D

Question 3

In a study about help to quit smoking,one group of participants received a single supportive phone call 10 days after attending a program on strategies to resist the urge to smoke.A second group received a weekly supportive phone call for 6 weeks after attending the same program,and a third group received no supportive phone calls after attending the program.What is the dependent variable in the research scenario?

Accepted Answer

A)  Program on strategies to resist smoking 
B)  Elimination of cigarette smoking 
C)  Weekly supportive phone call 
D)  No supportive phone call 
A)  Program on strategies to resist smoking 
B)  Elimination of cigarette smoking 
C)  Weekly supportive phone call 
D)  No supportive phone call B

Question 4

Which action would increase the control of an experimental study?

Accepted Answer

A)  Establishing strict criteria for participant selection 
B)  Allowing participants to decide whether or not to be in the experimental group 
C)  Ensuring that participants do not know the purpose of the experimental study 
D)  Increasing the number of assistants involved in data collection 
A)  Establishing strict criteria for participant selection 
B)  Allowing participants to decide whether or not to be in the experimental group 
C)  Ensuring that participants do not know the purpose of the experimental study 
D)  Increasing the number of assistants involved in data collection

Question 5

How are threats to validity affected when studies are conducted in laboratory settings?

Accepted Answer

A)  Threats to both internal and external validity are increased. 
B)  Threats to both internal and external validity are decreased. 
C)  Threats to internal validity are decreased, whereas threats to external validity are increased. 
D)  Threats to internal validity are increased, whereas threats to external validity are decreased. 
A)  Threats to both internal and external validity are increased. 
B)  Threats to both internal and external validity are decreased. 
C)  Threats to internal validity are decreased, whereas threats to external validity are increased. 
D)  Threats to internal validity are increased, whereas threats to external validity are decreased.

Question 6

In a true experimental study,the control group is the group that does what?

Accepted Answer

A)  Receives the experimental treatment 
B)  Receives the placebo treatment 
C)  Experiences the adverse results 
D)  Experiences the reactive effects 
A)  Receives the experimental treatment 
B)  Receives the placebo treatment 
C)  Experiences the adverse results 
D)  Experiences the reactive effects

Question 7

The nurse is critiquing a research study that used an experimental design.Which of the following criteria must be met to infer causality?

Accepted Answer

A)  The relationship between cause and effect must be reciprocal. 
B)  The relationship must not be explainable by any other variable. 
C)  The independent variable must change in response to manipulation of the dependent variable. 
D)  The outcome must be logical, expected, and predictable. 
A)  The relationship between cause and effect must be reciprocal. 
B)  The relationship must not be explainable by any other variable. 
C)  The independent variable must change in response to manipulation of the dependent variable. 
D)  The outcome must be logical, expected, and predictable.

Question 8

What aspect should be the primary consideration in critiquing the research report of an experimental study and determining the validity of the conclusions presented?

Accepted Answer

A)  How well the researcher controlled for extraneous variables 
B)  The number of participants who dropped out of the control and experimental groups 
C)  The credentials and previous experience of the researcher 
D)  The number of persons involved in the data collection process 
A)  How well the researcher controlled for extraneous variables 
B)  The number of participants who dropped out of the control and experimental groups 
C)  The credentials and previous experience of the researcher 
D)  The number of persons involved in the data collection process

Question 9

A study was conducted to determine if videotaped instruction was more effective than written instruction (a pamphlet)to teach menopausal women the benefits of regular mammograms.Which condition would be considered an antecedent variable?

Accepted Answer

A)  There were 38 participants in the pamphlet group and 34 participants in the videotape group. 
B)  During the study, 50% of the videotape group received flu shots, whereas 25% of those in the pamphlet group received flu shots. 
C)  Four members of the pamphlet group had mothers who had been received a diagnosis of breast cancer, but no members of the videotape group had mothers who had been received a diagnosis of breast cancer. 
D)  While participating in the study, five members of the videotape group began performing breast self-examination (BS
E) , while two members of the pamphlet group began performing BSE. 
A)  There were 38 participants in the pamphlet group and 34 participants in the videotape group. 
B)  During the study, 50% of the videotape group received flu shots, whereas 25% of those in the pamphlet group received flu shots. 
C)  Four members of the pamphlet group had mothers who had been received a diagnosis of breast cancer, but no members of the videotape group had mothers who had been received a diagnosis of breast cancer. 
D)  While participating in the study, five members of the videotape group began performing breast self-examination (BS
E) , while two members of the pamphlet group began performing BSE.

Question 10

What is the meaning of "control" in a study with an experimental design?

Accepted Answer

A)  The care taken to ensure maintenance of participant confidentiality 
B)  The introduction of one or more constants into the experimental situation 
C)  The ability of the researcher to prevent data collection from extending beyond the original time specified for the study 
D)  The faithfulness of the researcher in the application of all the assumptions of the experimental process to the study 
A)  The care taken to ensure maintenance of participant confidentiality 
B)  The introduction of one or more constants into the experimental situation 
C)  The ability of the researcher to prevent data collection from extending beyond the original time specified for the study 
D)  The faithfulness of the researcher in the application of all the assumptions of the experimental process to the study

Question 11

A study compared weight loss in obese participants between those who participated in a support group and those who chose not to.Which of the following factors or conditions in the study would be considered an intervening variable?

Accepted Answer

A)  Data collection for both groups occurred over the Thanksgiving holiday. 
B)  The group that did not participate in a support group had a greater percentage of male participants. 
C)  Three participants received a diagnosis of hypertension 1 month after the study began. 
D)  Two participants dropped out of the study 1 month after the study began. 
A)  Data collection for both groups occurred over the Thanksgiving holiday. 
B)  The group that did not participate in a support group had a greater percentage of male participants. 
C)  Three participants received a diagnosis of hypertension 1 month after the study began. 
D)  Two participants dropped out of the study 1 month after the study began.

Question 12

A research study in a laboratory setting incorporates four groups (two control and two experimental)in which only one experimental group and one control group are pretested,while all four groups are posttested.Which descriptions of the design are accurate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Experimental design 
B)  After-only experimental design 
C)  Real-world experimental design 
D)  quasi-experimental design 
E)  Solomon four-group design 
A)  Experimental design 
B)  After-only experimental design 
C)  Real-world experimental design 
D)  quasi-experimental design 
E)  Solomon four-group design

Question 13

How are threats to validity affected when studies are conducted in real-world settings?

Accepted Answer

A)  Threats to both internal and external validity are increased. 
B)  Threats to both internal and external validity are decreased. 
C)  Threats to internal validity are decreased, whereas threats to external validity are increased. 
D)  Threats to internal validity are increased, while threats to external validity are decreased. 
A)  Threats to both internal and external validity are increased. 
B)  Threats to both internal and external validity are decreased. 
C)  Threats to internal validity are decreased, whereas threats to external validity are increased. 
D)  Threats to internal validity are increased, while threats to external validity are decreased.

Question 14

For which of the following studies would an after-only experimental research design be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A)  The effect of cause of spousal death on widow self-esteem 
B)  The effect of preoperative teaching on vascular complications after surgery 
C)  The effect of a mentorship program on improvement of student performance in a BSN program 
D)  The effectiveness of using the videotape to teach adolescent men about the warning signs of testicular cancer. 
A)  The effect of cause of spousal death on widow self-esteem 
B)  The effect of preoperative teaching on vascular complications after surgery 
C)  The effect of a mentorship program on improvement of student performance in a BSN program 
D)  The effectiveness of using the videotape to teach adolescent men about the warning signs of testicular cancer.

Question 15

How differently is the independent variable handled in studies with an experimental design or a quasi-experimental design?

Accepted Answer

A)  An independent variable is not identified or needed in a quasi-experimental design. 
B)  Both designs identify an independent variable, and both manipulate the independent variable. 
C)  Experimental designs demonstrate that the independent variable is related to the outcome, but quasi-experimental studies allow for independent variables that stand alone. 
D)  Although both designs identify an independent variable, experimental designs identify it before the research is initiated, and quasi-experimental designs identify it after the data have been analyzed. 
A)  An independent variable is not identified or needed in a quasi-experimental design. 
B)  Both designs identify an independent variable, and both manipulate the independent variable. 
C)  Experimental designs demonstrate that the independent variable is related to the outcome, but quasi-experimental studies allow for independent variables that stand alone. 
D)  Although both designs identify an independent variable, experimental designs identify it before the research is initiated, and quasi-experimental designs identify it after the data have been analyzed.

Question 16

What advantage do quasi-experimental studies have over experimental studies?

Accepted Answer

A)  A smaller sample size is sufficient to obtain significant results in quasi-experimental studies. 
B)  Quasi-experimental studies are stronger in establishing cause-and-effect relationships. 
C)  Descriptive statistics can be used to analyze the data in quasi-experimental studies. 
D)  Quasi-experimental studies are more adaptable to real-world settings. 
A)  A smaller sample size is sufficient to obtain significant results in quasi-experimental studies. 
B)  Quasi-experimental studies are stronger in establishing cause-and-effect relationships. 
C)  Descriptive statistics can be used to analyze the data in quasi-experimental studies. 
D)  Quasi-experimental studies are more adaptable to real-world settings.

Question 17

In the study by Siminoff,Burant,and Ibrahim entitled "Racial Disparities in Preferences and Perceptions Regarding Organ Donation," sampling was done using a random digit telephone technique.What threats to internal validity does this prevent?

Accepted Answer

A)  Selection effects 
B)  Selection bias 
C)  Social desirability bias 
D)  Testing effects 
A)  Selection effects 
B)  Selection bias 
C)  Social desirability bias 
D)  Testing effects

Question 18

A research study is planned to determine the effect of nutritional supplementation and type of support surface on the rate of wound healing in sacral myocutaneous flap failures.Which is an independent variable in this study?

Accepted Answer

A)  Rate of wound healing 
B)  Sacral myocutaneous flap 
C)  Retailer source of protein supplement 
D)  Type of support surface 
E)  Nutritional supplementation 
A)  Rate of wound healing 
B)  Sacral myocutaneous flap 
C)  Retailer source of protein supplement 
D)  Type of support surface 
E)  Nutritional supplementation

Question 19

A nurse researcher is planning a quantitative (experimental)research study to test the effect of a new wound product on wound healing.Which of these factors is necessary to implement an experimental pretest-posttest design?

Accepted Answer

A)  Inclusion of a second control group 
B)  Ability to collect pretest data 
C)  Use of two posttreatment data collection times 
D)  Participants randomized to the control group only 
E)  Random assignment of participants to treatment and control groups 
A)  Inclusion of a second control group 
B)  Ability to collect pretest data 
C)  Use of two posttreatment data collection times 
D)  Participants randomized to the control group only 
E)  Random assignment of participants to treatment and control groups

Question 20

What type of threat to validity is minimized by the use of the Solomon four-group design?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mortality 
B)  Selection bias 
C)  Testing 
D)  Antecedent variable 
A)  Mortality 
B)  Selection bias 
C)  Testing 
D)  Antecedent variable

What is the term used to describe the experimental treatment initiated by the researcher?

Which of the following factors or characteristics is present only in true experimental design (and not in a quasi-experimental design)?

Which action would increase the control of an experimental study?

How are threats to validity affected when studies are conducted in laboratory settings?

In a true experimental study,the control group is the group that does what?

The nurse is critiquing a research study that used an experimental design.Which of the following criteria must be met to infer causality?

What aspect should be the primary consideration in critiquing the research report of an experimental study and determining the validity of the conclusions presented?

A study was conducted to determine if videotaped instruction was more effective than written instruction (a pamphlet)to teach menopausal women the benefits of regular mammograms.Which condition would be considered an antecedent variable?

What is the meaning of "control" in a study with an experimental design?

A study compared weight loss in obese participants between those who participated in a support group and those who chose not to.Which of the following factors or conditions in the study would be considered an intervening variable?

A research study in a laboratory setting incorporates four groups (two control and two experimental)in which only one experimental group and one control group are pretested,while all four groups are posttested.Which descriptions of the design are accurate?

How are threats to validity affected when studies are conducted in real-world settings?

For which of the following studies would an after-only experimental research design be most appropriate?

How differently is the independent variable handled in studies with an experimental design or a quasi-experimental design?

What advantage do quasi-experimental studies have over experimental studies?

In the study by Siminoff,Burant,and Ibrahim entitled "Racial Disparities in Preferences and Perceptions Regarding Organ Donation," sampling was done using a random digit telephone technique.What threats to internal validity does this prevent?

A research study is planned to determine the effect of nutritional supplementation and type of support surface on the rate of wound healing in sacral myocutaneous flap failures.Which is an independent variable in this study?

A nurse researcher is planning a quantitative (experimental)research study to test the effect of a new wound product on wound healing.Which of these factors is necessary to implement an experimental pretest-posttest design?

What type of threat to validity is minimized by the use of the Solomon four-group design?

The Role of Research in Nursing

Theoretical Framework

Critical Reading Strategies: Overview of the Research Process

Developing Research Questions, Hypotheses, and Clinical Questions

Finding and Appraising the Literature

Legal and Ethical Issues

Introduction to Qualitative Research

Qualitative Approaches to Research

Introduction to Quantitative Research

Non-Experimental Designs

Sampling

Data Collection Methods

Rigour in Research

Qualitative Data Analysis

Quantitative Data Analysis

Presenting the Findings

Critiquing Qualitative Research

Critiquing Quantitative Research

Developing an Evidence-Informed Practice

Filters

Exam 10: Experimental and Quasiexperimental Designs

What is the term used to describe the experimental treatment initiated by the researcher?

Which of the following factors or characteristics is present only in true experimental design (and not in a quasi-experimental design)?

Which action would increase the control of an experimental study?

How are threats to validity affected when studies are conducted in laboratory settings?

In a true experimental study,the control group is the group that does what?

The nurse is critiquing a research study that used an experimental design.Which of the following criteria must be met to infer causality?

What aspect should be the primary consideration in critiquing the research report of an experimental study and determining the validity of the conclusions presented?

A study was conducted to determine if videotaped instruction was more effective than written instruction (a pamphlet)to teach menopausal women the benefits of regular mammograms.Which condition would be considered an antecedent variable?

What is the meaning of "control" in a study with an experimental design?

A study compared weight loss in obese participants between those who participated in a support group and those who chose not to.Which of the following factors or conditions in the study would be considered an intervening variable?

A research study in a laboratory setting incorporates four groups (two control and two experimental)in which only one experimental group and one control group are pretested,while all four groups are posttested.Which descriptions of the design are accurate?

How are threats to validity affected when studies are conducted in real-world settings?

For which of the following studies would an after-only experimental research design be most appropriate?

How differently is the independent variable handled in studies with an experimental design or a quasi-experimental design?

What advantage do quasi-experimental studies have over experimental studies?

In the study by Siminoff,Burant,and Ibrahim entitled "Racial Disparities in Preferences and Perceptions Regarding Organ Donation," sampling was done using a random digit telephone technique.What threats to internal validity does this prevent?

A research study is planned to determine the effect of nutritional supplementation and type of support surface on the rate of wound healing in sacral myocutaneous flap failures.Which is an independent variable in this study?

A nurse researcher is planning a quantitative (experimental)research study to test the effect of a new wound product on wound healing.Which of these factors is necessary to implement an experimental pretest-posttest design?

What type of threat to validity is minimized by the use of the Solomon four-group design?

The Role of Research in Nursing

Theoretical Framework

Critical Reading Strategies: Overview of the Research Process

Developing Research Questions, Hypotheses, and Clinical Questions

Finding and Appraising the Literature

Legal and Ethical Issues

Introduction to Qualitative Research

Qualitative Approaches to Research

Introduction to Quantitative Research

Non-Experimental Designs

Sampling

Data Collection Methods

Rigour in Research

Qualitative Data Analysis

Quantitative Data Analysis

Presenting the Findings

Critiquing Qualitative Research

Critiquing Quantitative Research

Developing an Evidence-Informed Practice

Filters