NSGD 2216 Critical Inquiry Modules 1-5 Exam –
300 Questions with Answers & Rationales
Module 1: Foundations of Inquiry & Ways of Knowing (Questions 1–70)
1. What is the definition of nursing research?
A) The systematic inquiry designed to develop trustworthy evidence about
issues of importance to nurses and their clients
B) The use of tradition and authority to guide practice
C) A method of documenting patient care
D) The application of intuition in clinical settings
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nursing research is defined as systematic inquiry designed to
develop trustworthy evidence about issues of importance to nurses and their
clients. It is a rigorous, structured process that distinguishes scientific
inquiry from other ways of knowing.
2. Which group would be best served by clinical nursing research?
A) Nursing administrators
B) Practicing nurses
C) Nurses' clients
D) Healthcare policymakers
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While all groups benefit from nursing research, the ultimate
beneficiary is the patient (nurses' clients). Clinical nursing research aims to
improve patient outcomes directly. Research utilization by practicing nurses
and administrators ultimately serves the client's wellbeing.
,3. In the United States, in what area does research play an important role in
nursing?
A) Chronic illness
B) Credentialing and status
C) Nurses' personalities
D) Nurses' education
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the United States, nursing research has played a significant role
in credentialing and professional status. Nursing research has helped
establish nursing as a distinct academic discipline and profession with its
own body of knowledge.
4. What is the role of a consumer of nursing research?
A) Read research reports for relevant findings
B) Participate in generating evidence by doing research
C) Participate in a journal club in a practice setting
D) Solve clinical problems and make clinical decisions
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A consumer of nursing research reads and appraises research
reports to stay informed of relevant findings that may impact their clinical
practice. Consumers may also implement evidence-based changes but do not
necessarily conduct original research themselves.
5. What is the role of a producer of nursing research?
A) Read research reports to keep up-to-date on findings
B) Actively design and undertake studies
C) Implement evidence-based guidelines
D) Participate in journal clubs
,✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Producers of nursing research are nurses who actively design and
undertake studies. They generate new knowledge through systematic
inquiry, while consumers read and apply research findings.
6. What was the concern of most nursing studies in the early 1900s?
A) Client satisfaction
B) Clinical problems
C) Health promotion
D) Nursing education
✅ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the early 1900s, most nursing studies focused on nursing
education rather than clinical practice. Early nursing research addressed
questions about how nurses should be trained, curriculum development, and
the professionalization of nursing education.
7. Which topic most closely conforms to the priorities that have been
suggested for future nursing research?
A) Attitudes of nursing students toward smoking
B) Promotion of excellence in nursing science
C) Nursing staff morale and turnover
D) Number of doctorate prepared nurses in various clinical specialties
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Promotion of excellence in nursing science aligns with national
research priorities that emphasize advancing the scientific basis of nursing
practice. Research priorities typically focus on clinical outcomes, quality of
care, patient safety, and health promotion.
, 8. What are future directions for nursing research according to the
literature?
A) Continued focus on EBP, stronger evidence through confirmatory
strategies, and expanded dissemination of research findings
B) Reduction in systematic reviews
C) Focus only on quantitative research
D) Elimination of qualitative research
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Future directions for nursing research include continued focus on
EBP, stronger evidence through confirmatory strategies, continued emphasis
on systematic reviews, expanded local research in healthcare settings,
expanded dissemination, increased focus on diversity issues, clinical
significance, and interprofessional collaboration.
9. What is a paradigm in research?
A) A specific hypothesis that a study seeks to test
B) A worldview that shapes how researchers approach inquiry
C) A statistical method for analyzing data
D) A type of research design
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A paradigm is a worldview, a general perspective to explain the
world's complexities. It is a way of looking at natural phenomena that
encompasses a set of philosophical assumptions and guides one's approach
to inquiry.
10. What is the ontological assumption of those espousing a positivist
paradigm?
A) Reality is subjective and multiple
B) Reality is objective and singular
300 Questions with Answers & Rationales
Module 1: Foundations of Inquiry & Ways of Knowing (Questions 1–70)
1. What is the definition of nursing research?
A) The systematic inquiry designed to develop trustworthy evidence about
issues of importance to nurses and their clients
B) The use of tradition and authority to guide practice
C) A method of documenting patient care
D) The application of intuition in clinical settings
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nursing research is defined as systematic inquiry designed to
develop trustworthy evidence about issues of importance to nurses and their
clients. It is a rigorous, structured process that distinguishes scientific
inquiry from other ways of knowing.
2. Which group would be best served by clinical nursing research?
A) Nursing administrators
B) Practicing nurses
C) Nurses' clients
D) Healthcare policymakers
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale: While all groups benefit from nursing research, the ultimate
beneficiary is the patient (nurses' clients). Clinical nursing research aims to
improve patient outcomes directly. Research utilization by practicing nurses
and administrators ultimately serves the client's wellbeing.
,3. In the United States, in what area does research play an important role in
nursing?
A) Chronic illness
B) Credentialing and status
C) Nurses' personalities
D) Nurses' education
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the United States, nursing research has played a significant role
in credentialing and professional status. Nursing research has helped
establish nursing as a distinct academic discipline and profession with its
own body of knowledge.
4. What is the role of a consumer of nursing research?
A) Read research reports for relevant findings
B) Participate in generating evidence by doing research
C) Participate in a journal club in a practice setting
D) Solve clinical problems and make clinical decisions
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A consumer of nursing research reads and appraises research
reports to stay informed of relevant findings that may impact their clinical
practice. Consumers may also implement evidence-based changes but do not
necessarily conduct original research themselves.
5. What is the role of a producer of nursing research?
A) Read research reports to keep up-to-date on findings
B) Actively design and undertake studies
C) Implement evidence-based guidelines
D) Participate in journal clubs
,✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Producers of nursing research are nurses who actively design and
undertake studies. They generate new knowledge through systematic
inquiry, while consumers read and apply research findings.
6. What was the concern of most nursing studies in the early 1900s?
A) Client satisfaction
B) Clinical problems
C) Health promotion
D) Nursing education
✅ Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the early 1900s, most nursing studies focused on nursing
education rather than clinical practice. Early nursing research addressed
questions about how nurses should be trained, curriculum development, and
the professionalization of nursing education.
7. Which topic most closely conforms to the priorities that have been
suggested for future nursing research?
A) Attitudes of nursing students toward smoking
B) Promotion of excellence in nursing science
C) Nursing staff morale and turnover
D) Number of doctorate prepared nurses in various clinical specialties
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Promotion of excellence in nursing science aligns with national
research priorities that emphasize advancing the scientific basis of nursing
practice. Research priorities typically focus on clinical outcomes, quality of
care, patient safety, and health promotion.
, 8. What are future directions for nursing research according to the
literature?
A) Continued focus on EBP, stronger evidence through confirmatory
strategies, and expanded dissemination of research findings
B) Reduction in systematic reviews
C) Focus only on quantitative research
D) Elimination of qualitative research
✅ Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Future directions for nursing research include continued focus on
EBP, stronger evidence through confirmatory strategies, continued emphasis
on systematic reviews, expanded local research in healthcare settings,
expanded dissemination, increased focus on diversity issues, clinical
significance, and interprofessional collaboration.
9. What is a paradigm in research?
A) A specific hypothesis that a study seeks to test
B) A worldview that shapes how researchers approach inquiry
C) A statistical method for analyzing data
D) A type of research design
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A paradigm is a worldview, a general perspective to explain the
world's complexities. It is a way of looking at natural phenomena that
encompasses a set of philosophical assumptions and guides one's approach
to inquiry.
10. What is the ontological assumption of those espousing a positivist
paradigm?
A) Reality is subjective and multiple
B) Reality is objective and singular
