NURS 4325 KNOWLEDGE CHECK #1 UNIVERSITY OF
TEXAS, ARLINGTON QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
Question 1
A nursing research student is evaluating a research framework that is
explicitly stated in a research article. All of the following statements
describe the purpose of a research framework EXCEPT:
A. It is tested within the study.
B. It links the findings of the study back to nursing's body of knowledge.
C. It guides the selection of the inferential statistics.
D. It guides the development of a study.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A research framework (theoretical or conceptual framework)
provides the structure for a study. It is tested within the study (A), links
findings back to nursing knowledge (B), and guides study development
(D). However, the selection of inferential statistics is determined by the
research design, level of measurement, and research questions—not by
the framework itself. Therefore, option C is NOT a purpose of a research
framework.
Question 2
The concept of causality would be important in which of the following
research designs?
,A. Experimental
B. Descriptive
C. Phenomenological
D. Time dimensional
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Causality (cause-and-effect relationships) is a central concept
in experimental research designs, which manipulate an independent
variable to determine its effect on a dependent variable while
controlling for extraneous variables. Descriptive designs (B) only
describe phenomena. Phenomenological designs (C) explore lived
experiences. "Time dimensional" (D) is not a standard research design;
longitudinal designs examine changes over time but do not establish
causality as strongly as experiments.
Question 3
Which of the following types of studies is considered a qualitative
study?
A. Correlational
B. Ethnographic
C. Methodological
D. Comparative
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ethnographic studies are qualitative research designs that
focus on describing and interpreting the culture, behaviors, and beliefs
,of a group of people. Correlational (A), methodological (C), and
comparative (D) studies are typically quantitative research designs.
Question 4
A friend asks you to explain the difference between a conceptual
definition and an operational definition of anxiety. You help her to
understand these concepts by providing her with the following
operational definition of anxiety.
A. An overwhelming feeling of uneasiness
B. A score above 40 on the Anxiety Inventory
C. Discomfort at the highest level
D. A sense of fear
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An operational definition specifies how a concept will be
measured or observed in a study. "A score above 40 on the Anxiety
Inventory" is measurable and concrete. Options A, C, and D
are conceptual definitions—abstract, theoretical meanings of anxiety,
not operationalized measurements.
Question 5
The purpose of an institutional review board (IRB) is to:
A. Review the costs associated with an institutional study.
B. Determine the appropriate journals for publication of the study.
C. Determine the extent to which human rights will be protected in a
, study.
D. Critique the research methods of a study.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The primary purpose of an Institutional Review Board
(IRB) is to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects
participating in research. The IRB reviews studies to ensure risks are
minimized, informed consent is obtained, and privacy/confidentiality
are protected. Cost review (A), journal selection (B), and critiquing
methods (D) are not IRB functions.
Question 6
A research hypothesis:
A. Defines the theoretical framework for the study.
B. Is used to determine relationships in a study.
C. Predicts the expected results or outcomes of the study.
D. Clarifies the gap in the literature in the study.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A research hypothesis is a formal statement that predicts
the expected results or outcomes of a study, often specifying the
relationship between variables. Option B ("is used to determine
relationships") describes what a hypothesis does, but option C more
precisely defines what a hypothesis is—a prediction. (Note: The original
user indicated they originally chose B and were wrong. The correct
answer is C.)
TEXAS, ARLINGTON QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
Question 1
A nursing research student is evaluating a research framework that is
explicitly stated in a research article. All of the following statements
describe the purpose of a research framework EXCEPT:
A. It is tested within the study.
B. It links the findings of the study back to nursing's body of knowledge.
C. It guides the selection of the inferential statistics.
D. It guides the development of a study.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A research framework (theoretical or conceptual framework)
provides the structure for a study. It is tested within the study (A), links
findings back to nursing knowledge (B), and guides study development
(D). However, the selection of inferential statistics is determined by the
research design, level of measurement, and research questions—not by
the framework itself. Therefore, option C is NOT a purpose of a research
framework.
Question 2
The concept of causality would be important in which of the following
research designs?
,A. Experimental
B. Descriptive
C. Phenomenological
D. Time dimensional
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Causality (cause-and-effect relationships) is a central concept
in experimental research designs, which manipulate an independent
variable to determine its effect on a dependent variable while
controlling for extraneous variables. Descriptive designs (B) only
describe phenomena. Phenomenological designs (C) explore lived
experiences. "Time dimensional" (D) is not a standard research design;
longitudinal designs examine changes over time but do not establish
causality as strongly as experiments.
Question 3
Which of the following types of studies is considered a qualitative
study?
A. Correlational
B. Ethnographic
C. Methodological
D. Comparative
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ethnographic studies are qualitative research designs that
focus on describing and interpreting the culture, behaviors, and beliefs
,of a group of people. Correlational (A), methodological (C), and
comparative (D) studies are typically quantitative research designs.
Question 4
A friend asks you to explain the difference between a conceptual
definition and an operational definition of anxiety. You help her to
understand these concepts by providing her with the following
operational definition of anxiety.
A. An overwhelming feeling of uneasiness
B. A score above 40 on the Anxiety Inventory
C. Discomfort at the highest level
D. A sense of fear
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An operational definition specifies how a concept will be
measured or observed in a study. "A score above 40 on the Anxiety
Inventory" is measurable and concrete. Options A, C, and D
are conceptual definitions—abstract, theoretical meanings of anxiety,
not operationalized measurements.
Question 5
The purpose of an institutional review board (IRB) is to:
A. Review the costs associated with an institutional study.
B. Determine the appropriate journals for publication of the study.
C. Determine the extent to which human rights will be protected in a
, study.
D. Critique the research methods of a study.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The primary purpose of an Institutional Review Board
(IRB) is to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects
participating in research. The IRB reviews studies to ensure risks are
minimized, informed consent is obtained, and privacy/confidentiality
are protected. Cost review (A), journal selection (B), and critiquing
methods (D) are not IRB functions.
Question 6
A research hypothesis:
A. Defines the theoretical framework for the study.
B. Is used to determine relationships in a study.
C. Predicts the expected results or outcomes of the study.
D. Clarifies the gap in the literature in the study.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A research hypothesis is a formal statement that predicts
the expected results or outcomes of a study, often specifying the
relationship between variables. Option B ("is used to determine
relationships") describes what a hypothesis does, but option C more
precisely defines what a hypothesis is—a prediction. (Note: The original
user indicated they originally chose B and were wrong. The correct
answer is C.)
