N262B NURSING RESEARCH METHODS MIDTERM EXAMINATION,
2026/2027 QUESTION RESEARCH METHODS EXAMINATION WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
### **Question 1**
A nurse researcher wants to explore the lived experience of mothers who have a
child diagnosed with autism. Which research paradigm is most appropriate?
A. Positivism
B. Post-positivism
C. Interpretivism (naturalistic)
D. Critical theory
**Correct Answer: C. Interpretivism (naturalistic)**
**Rationale:** Exploring the subjective "lived experience" of individuals is the
central goal of qualitative research. The Interpretivist (or naturalistic) paradigm is
founded on the belief that reality is socially constructed and multiple, and that
understanding requires exploring participants' perspectives. In contrast, Positivism
and Post-positivism seek objective, measurable truths, while Critical theory focuses
on power structures and emancipation .
### **Question 2**
Which of the following best describes the philosophical assumption of positivism?
A. Reality is multiple and subjective, constructed by individuals.
B. Reality exists independently of the observer and can be measured objectively.
C. Research should aim to emancipate oppressed groups.
D. Knowledge is created through social interaction and language.
**Correct Answer: B. Reality exists independently of the observer and can be
measured objectively.**
**Rationale:** Positivism is a philosophical framework that underpins
quantitative research. It holds that there is a single, objective reality that exists
, apart from the researcher's perceptions. This reality can be studied empirically
through systematic observation, measurement, and experimentation to uncover
universal laws .
### **Question 3**
A study aims to test the effectiveness of a new pain management protocol on post-
operative pain scores. What type of research is this?
A. Qualitative research
B. Quantitative research
C. Mixed methods research
D. Descriptive research
**Correct Answer: B. Quantitative research**
**Rationale:** The key identifiers in this question are "test the effectiveness" and
"pain scores." Quantitative research is characterized by the testing of objective
theories by examining the relationships among variables, which are measured
numerically (e.g., on a pain scale). This study involves an intervention (the new
protocol) and a measurable numeric outcome, fitting the quantitative approach .
### **Question 4**
In quantitative research, the hypothesis that states there is no relationship or
difference between variables is the:
A. Research hypothesis
B. Alternative hypothesis
C. Null hypothesis
D. Directional hypothesis
**Correct Answer: C. Null hypothesis**
**Rationale:** The null hypothesis (often denoted as H₀) posits that there is no
statistically significant relationship between two variables or no difference between
two groups. It is the assumption that the researcher aims to test and potentially
2026/2027 QUESTION RESEARCH METHODS EXAMINATION WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
### **Question 1**
A nurse researcher wants to explore the lived experience of mothers who have a
child diagnosed with autism. Which research paradigm is most appropriate?
A. Positivism
B. Post-positivism
C. Interpretivism (naturalistic)
D. Critical theory
**Correct Answer: C. Interpretivism (naturalistic)**
**Rationale:** Exploring the subjective "lived experience" of individuals is the
central goal of qualitative research. The Interpretivist (or naturalistic) paradigm is
founded on the belief that reality is socially constructed and multiple, and that
understanding requires exploring participants' perspectives. In contrast, Positivism
and Post-positivism seek objective, measurable truths, while Critical theory focuses
on power structures and emancipation .
### **Question 2**
Which of the following best describes the philosophical assumption of positivism?
A. Reality is multiple and subjective, constructed by individuals.
B. Reality exists independently of the observer and can be measured objectively.
C. Research should aim to emancipate oppressed groups.
D. Knowledge is created through social interaction and language.
**Correct Answer: B. Reality exists independently of the observer and can be
measured objectively.**
**Rationale:** Positivism is a philosophical framework that underpins
quantitative research. It holds that there is a single, objective reality that exists
, apart from the researcher's perceptions. This reality can be studied empirically
through systematic observation, measurement, and experimentation to uncover
universal laws .
### **Question 3**
A study aims to test the effectiveness of a new pain management protocol on post-
operative pain scores. What type of research is this?
A. Qualitative research
B. Quantitative research
C. Mixed methods research
D. Descriptive research
**Correct Answer: B. Quantitative research**
**Rationale:** The key identifiers in this question are "test the effectiveness" and
"pain scores." Quantitative research is characterized by the testing of objective
theories by examining the relationships among variables, which are measured
numerically (e.g., on a pain scale). This study involves an intervention (the new
protocol) and a measurable numeric outcome, fitting the quantitative approach .
### **Question 4**
In quantitative research, the hypothesis that states there is no relationship or
difference between variables is the:
A. Research hypothesis
B. Alternative hypothesis
C. Null hypothesis
D. Directional hypothesis
**Correct Answer: C. Null hypothesis**
**Rationale:** The null hypothesis (often denoted as H₀) posits that there is no
statistically significant relationship between two variables or no difference between
two groups. It is the assumption that the researcher aims to test and potentially
