Question 1

A critique accompanying a quantitative research study states,"Data collection appears consistent and systematic throughout the study." What aspects of methodology would add to this critique analysis? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   Incorporation of a validated and reliable instrument
B)   Training of data collectors
C)   Citation of a variety of research articles
D)   Reported evidence of interrater reliability
E)   A graphic conceptual model A,B,D

Question 2

Which critical appraisal question would evaluate the data analysis of a research report?

Accepted Answer

A)   Would it be possible to replicate this study in another clinical setting?
B)   Are the results of each hypothesis or research question presented and presented objectively?
C)   Did testing of the hypothesis(es)  or research question(s)  clearly support or not support each hypothesis or research question?
D)   Was there an observation guide? C

Question 3

What should be a part of the critique of a quantitative research report?

Accepted Answer

A)   Applying the findings in clinical practice
B)   Summarizing the major steps of the research process
C)   Constructively evaluating a study for its strengths and weaknesses
D)   Determining whether the phenomenon studied by participants can be recognized as their own C

Question 4

Which critical appraisal question would evaluate the research question and hypothesis of a research report?

Accepted Answer

A)   Is there a synthesis summary that presents the overall strengths and weaknesses and arrives at a logical conclusion that generates hypotheses or research questions?
B)   What are the sources of bias, and are they dealt with appropriately?
C)   How have the purpose, aims, or goals of the study been substantiated?
D)   To what population may the findings be generalized? What are the limitations in generalizability?

Question 5

Which critical appraisal question would evaluate the applicability to nursing practice of a research report?

Accepted Answer

A)   Would it be possible to replicate this study in another clinical setting?
B)   Are the results of each hypothesis or research question presented and presented objectively?
C)   Did testing of the hypothesis(es)  or research question(s)  clearly support or not support each hypothesis or research question?
D)   Was there an observation guide?

Question 6

What makes the study by Christman et al.titled "Continuous handrail support,oxygen uptake,and heart rate in women during submaximal step treadmill exercise" quasi-experimental in design versus experimental?

Accepted Answer

A)   The sample size was small.
B)   Randomization was not used in sample selection.
C)   The dependent variables were not manipulated.
D)   The independent variables were not manipulated.

Question 7

Which critical appraisal question would evaluate the sampling of a research report?

Accepted Answer

A)   Is there a synthesis summary that presents the overall strengths and weaknesses and arrives at a logical conclusion that generates hypotheses or research questions?
B)   What are the sources of bias, and are they dealt with appropriately?
C)   How have the purpose, aims, or goals of the study been substantiated?
D)   To what population may the findings be generalized? What are the limitations in generalizability?

Question 8

Why is it significant that other nurses evaluate the scientific merit of quantitative nursing research studies?

Accepted Answer

A)   To diversify the focus of nursing
B)   To broaden the base for nursing practice
C)   To demonstrate that nursing is a true science as well as a discipline
D)   To ensure that nursing research does not borrow from other disciplines

Question 9

Which statement evaluating a quantitative research study report deals with scientific merit?

Accepted Answer

A)   The sample size was appropriate for the statistical tests used.
B)   The study had one independent variable and two dependent variables.
C)   Data described in narrative form within the text could have been more concise in a table.
D)   The discussion was excessive in length.

Question 10

Which statement evaluating a quantitative research study report deals with style?

Accepted Answer

A)   The sample size was appropriate for the statistical tests used.
B)   The study had one independent variable and two dependent variables.
C)   Data described in narrative form within the text could have been more concise in a table.
D)   The data presented support the direction of the primary hypothesis.

Question 11

A nurse researcher is critically appraising a research report and asks the question "What provision is made for maintaining accuracy of the instrument and its use,if any? " Which data-collection methods and procedures would this question evaluate?

Accepted Answer

A)   Physiologic measurement
B)   Questionnaires
C)   Available data records
D)   Observation

Question 12

A nursing student is critiquing a research study on the effects of test anxiety reduction and a review course on National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN)success rates of graduate nurses.The student notes several threats to internal validity.These threats affect the accuracy of which variables? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   NCLEX success rates
B)   Test anxiety reduction
C)   Graduate nurses
D)   Review course
E)   Type of nursing program

Question 13

Where in a report of a quantitative research study would you expect the gaps or conflicts about the phenomenon studied to be identified?

Accepted Answer

A)   Analysis of data
B)   Research design
C)   Problem statement
D)   Review of the literature

Question 14

What is suggested by the following statement found in the study by Koenes and Karshmer titled "Depression: a comparison study between blind and sighted adolescents? " "The fact that the inventory [instrument] was administered verbally introduced a potential bias of social desirability."

Accepted Answer

A)   Implications for practice
B)   Limitations of the study
C)   Generalizability of the study
D)   Recommendations for future research

Question 15

Which change in sample selection procedure for the study by Christman et al.titled "Continuous handrail support,oxygen uptake,and heart rate in women during submaximal step treadmill exercise" would have had the greatest impact on increasing the generalizability of the results?

Accepted Answer

A)   Increasing the sample size
B)   Including subjects who smoke in the study
C)   Having a true control group rather than having subjects serve as their own controls
D)   Expanding the sample population to include equal numbers of women who were moderately fit and highly fit

Question 16

How should a research consumer evaluate the following statement in a research report? "A positive correlation was found between the variables of self-reported sleep adequacy and performance on the driving simulator (r = 0.21),although the correlation did not reach statistical significance."

Accepted Answer

A)   No relationship exists between the two variables.
B)   The hypothesis was supported by the data presented.
C)   The hypothesis was not supported by the data presented.
D)   The relationship between the variables is too weak to have practical application.

Question 17

What is indicated by the following statement,found in the report of a quantitative nursing research study,"By formalizing parenting education in the immediate postpartum period,midwives may have the opportunity to reduce the prevalence of postnatal depression"?

Accepted Answer

A)   Results
B)   Analysis
C)   Implications
D)   Recommendations

Question 18

Nurse researchers are conducting a study looking at increasing ankle strength in frail elderly patients.In measuring ankle strength,what are some possible best approaches? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A)   A physiologic measure called mechanical force transducer
B)   Observation of elder gait
C)   Self-report of ankle strength
D)   Measurement of ankle diameter
E)   Reported occurrences of falling

Question 19

A nurse researcher is critically appraising a research report and asks the question "Is the format appropriate for use with this population? " Which data-collection methods and procedures would this question evaluate?

Accepted Answer