NUR 3165 Final Research Paper Exam 2026/2027
Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice | Key Domains: Research Methodology (Quantitative,
Qualitative, Mixed Methods), Ethical Principles in Research (IRB, Informed Consent), Literature Review
& Critique, Levels of Evidence, Statistics & Data Analysis, Translating Research into Practice, and
Dissemination of Findings | Expert-Aligned Structure | Comprehensive Exam Format
Introduction
This structured NUR 3165 Final Research Paper Exam for 2026/2027 provides a comprehensive set
of exam-style questions with correct answers and rationales. It emphasizes the application of
research principles to evaluate evidence, critique study designs, interpret statistical findings, and
integrate best practices into clinical nursing to promote high-quality, evidence-based patient care.
Exam Structure:
• Comprehensive Research Exam: (70 QUESTIONS)
Answer Format
All correct answers must appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by concise rationales
explaining the research methodology (e.g., why a randomized controlled trial provides Level II
evidence), the ethical guideline (e.g., protection of vulnerable populations), the correct
interpretation of a statistical result (e.g., p-value, confidence interval), the step in the
evidence-based practice process, and why alternative options misinterpret research concepts or
violate ethical standards.
Comprehensive Research Exam Questions
1. A nurse researcher is designing a study to compare two pain management protocols in
postoperative patients. Which design provides the highest level of evidence?
, A. Case-control study
B. Cohort study
C. Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
D. Descriptive survey
Correct Answer: C. Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Rationale: RCTs are Level II evidence (per Johns Hopkins or similar hierarchies) because
randomization minimizes selection bias and confounding variables, allowing causal inference.
Case-control (A) and cohort (B) studies are observational (Level III–IV). Surveys (D) are descriptive
(Level V).
2. Which ethical principle requires that researchers obtain voluntary, informed agreement from
participants before enrollment?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Nonmaleficence
Correct Answer: C. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy respects an individual’s right to self-determination and informed
decision-making. Beneficence (A) requires maximizing benefits. Nonmaleficence (D) means “do no
harm.” Justice (B) ensures fair subject selection and benefit distribution.
3. In a qualitative study exploring the lived experience of chronic pain, which data collection method
is most appropriate?
A. Structured questionnaire
, B. In-depth interviews
C. Physiological measurements
D. Chart review
Correct Answer: B. In-depth interviews
Rationale: In-depth interviews allow rich, narrative data about subjective experiences, central to
qualitative phenomenology. Structured questionnaires (A) and physiological measures (C) are
quantitative. Chart reviews (D) yield secondary data, not lived experience.
4. A p-value of 0.03 in a study comparing two wound care interventions indicates:
A. There is a 3% chance the null hypothesis is true
B. The results are statistically significant at α = 0.05
C. The effect size is large
D. The study has high clinical significance
Correct Answer: B. The results are statistically significant at α = 0.05
Rationale: A p-value < 0.05 means the probability of observing the data if the null hypothesis were
true is less than 5%, so we reject the null. P-value does not indicate the probability the null is true (A),
effect size (C), or clinical importance (D).
5. Which step is FIRST in the evidence-based practice (EBP) process?
A. Appraise the evidence
B. Implement the change
C. Ask a clinical question
, D. Evaluate outcomes
Correct Answer: C. Ask a clinical question
Rationale: The EBP process begins with formulating a focused clinical question (e.g., using PICOT).
Appraisal (A), implementation (B), and evaluation (D) follow after evidence is gathered.
6. A 95% confidence interval for mean blood pressure reduction is [8 mmHg, 14 mmHg]. What does
this indicate?
A. 95% of patients had BP reduction between 8–14 mmHg
B. There is 95% certainty the true population mean lies between 8–14 mmHg
C. The p-value is 0.05
D. The intervention is clinically effective
Correct Answer: B. There is 95% certainty the true population mean lies between 8–14
mmHg
Rationale: A 95% CI means if the study were repeated 100 times, 95 CIs would contain the true
population parameter. It does not describe individual responses (A), guarantee p = 0.05 (C), or confirm
clinical significance (D).
7. Which study design is best suited to explore how newly graduated nurses experience their first
year of practice?
A. Experimental
B. Phenomenological
C. Quasi-experimental
D. Cross-sectional
Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice | Key Domains: Research Methodology (Quantitative,
Qualitative, Mixed Methods), Ethical Principles in Research (IRB, Informed Consent), Literature Review
& Critique, Levels of Evidence, Statistics & Data Analysis, Translating Research into Practice, and
Dissemination of Findings | Expert-Aligned Structure | Comprehensive Exam Format
Introduction
This structured NUR 3165 Final Research Paper Exam for 2026/2027 provides a comprehensive set
of exam-style questions with correct answers and rationales. It emphasizes the application of
research principles to evaluate evidence, critique study designs, interpret statistical findings, and
integrate best practices into clinical nursing to promote high-quality, evidence-based patient care.
Exam Structure:
• Comprehensive Research Exam: (70 QUESTIONS)
Answer Format
All correct answers must appear in bold and cyan blue, accompanied by concise rationales
explaining the research methodology (e.g., why a randomized controlled trial provides Level II
evidence), the ethical guideline (e.g., protection of vulnerable populations), the correct
interpretation of a statistical result (e.g., p-value, confidence interval), the step in the
evidence-based practice process, and why alternative options misinterpret research concepts or
violate ethical standards.
Comprehensive Research Exam Questions
1. A nurse researcher is designing a study to compare two pain management protocols in
postoperative patients. Which design provides the highest level of evidence?
, A. Case-control study
B. Cohort study
C. Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
D. Descriptive survey
Correct Answer: C. Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Rationale: RCTs are Level II evidence (per Johns Hopkins or similar hierarchies) because
randomization minimizes selection bias and confounding variables, allowing causal inference.
Case-control (A) and cohort (B) studies are observational (Level III–IV). Surveys (D) are descriptive
(Level V).
2. Which ethical principle requires that researchers obtain voluntary, informed agreement from
participants before enrollment?
A. Beneficence
B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Nonmaleficence
Correct Answer: C. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy respects an individual’s right to self-determination and informed
decision-making. Beneficence (A) requires maximizing benefits. Nonmaleficence (D) means “do no
harm.” Justice (B) ensures fair subject selection and benefit distribution.
3. In a qualitative study exploring the lived experience of chronic pain, which data collection method
is most appropriate?
A. Structured questionnaire
, B. In-depth interviews
C. Physiological measurements
D. Chart review
Correct Answer: B. In-depth interviews
Rationale: In-depth interviews allow rich, narrative data about subjective experiences, central to
qualitative phenomenology. Structured questionnaires (A) and physiological measures (C) are
quantitative. Chart reviews (D) yield secondary data, not lived experience.
4. A p-value of 0.03 in a study comparing two wound care interventions indicates:
A. There is a 3% chance the null hypothesis is true
B. The results are statistically significant at α = 0.05
C. The effect size is large
D. The study has high clinical significance
Correct Answer: B. The results are statistically significant at α = 0.05
Rationale: A p-value < 0.05 means the probability of observing the data if the null hypothesis were
true is less than 5%, so we reject the null. P-value does not indicate the probability the null is true (A),
effect size (C), or clinical importance (D).
5. Which step is FIRST in the evidence-based practice (EBP) process?
A. Appraise the evidence
B. Implement the change
C. Ask a clinical question
, D. Evaluate outcomes
Correct Answer: C. Ask a clinical question
Rationale: The EBP process begins with formulating a focused clinical question (e.g., using PICOT).
Appraisal (A), implementation (B), and evaluation (D) follow after evidence is gathered.
6. A 95% confidence interval for mean blood pressure reduction is [8 mmHg, 14 mmHg]. What does
this indicate?
A. 95% of patients had BP reduction between 8–14 mmHg
B. There is 95% certainty the true population mean lies between 8–14 mmHg
C. The p-value is 0.05
D. The intervention is clinically effective
Correct Answer: B. There is 95% certainty the true population mean lies between 8–14
mmHg
Rationale: A 95% CI means if the study were repeated 100 times, 95 CIs would contain the true
population parameter. It does not describe individual responses (A), guarantee p = 0.05 (C), or confirm
clinical significance (D).
7. Which study design is best suited to explore how newly graduated nurses experience their first
year of practice?
A. Experimental
B. Phenomenological
C. Quasi-experimental
D. Cross-sectional
