1|Page
WGU D514 Analytical Methods of Healthcare
Leaders Detailed Guide Exam 2026 Complete
Questions And Answers Graded A+
ANOVA test ......ANSWER......Analysis of variance (ANOVA) may be
used in research studies where there are two or more groups to
compare.
Chi-square tests ......ANSWER......Chi-square tests determine if an
association exists between two categorical variables.
Control group ......ANSWER......In a healthcare environment, this
group of patients does not receive the treatment that is being studied.
Experimental group ......ANSWER......This group of patients receives
the treatment being studied with follow-up observation to determine
the effect of the treatment.
F-test ......ANSWER......The F-test is designed to test if two population
variances are equal. The ratio of the two variances is compared. If
they are equal, the ratio of the variances will be 1.
pg. 1
,2|Page
Frequency ......ANSWER......Frequencies measure how often a
particular value occurs to assess the importance of a value or check
the variation of the values in a study.
Hypothesis ......ANSWER......A proposed explanation for an
observation that leads to a prediction. Through investigation and the
use of statistical data, those doing the study will either confirm or
reject the hypothesis. Testing the hypothesis will show if there is a link
(or not) between two or more variables.
Integrity ......ANSWER......Research always makes some assumptions,
depending on the type of method used. Research assumptions must
be identified to determine possible breaches of integrity.
Interval data ......ANSWER......Interval data includes units of equal size,
such as IQ results. There is no zero point. An example of interval scale
is time: Time is measured in 24 hours in each day; the time between
each hour is the same, 60 minutes.
Mean ......ANSWER......Mean is the arithmetic average. Divide the sum
of all scores by the total number of scores.
Median ......ANSWER......Median is the midpoint of the distribution of
values, or the point above or below which 50 percent of the values
fall.
pg. 2
,3|Page
Methods section components ......ANSWER......When analyzing the
quality of a study, a careful evaluation of the research methods can
reveal critical details about population and sample, covariables and
hypothesis, data presentation, statistical analysis, and study
limitations.
Misleading statistics ......ANSWER......Interpreting and presenting the
results of data analysis affords many opportunities for accidental or
deliberate misrepresentations of data. Common examples include
implying causation, extrapolating beyond the reasonable, relying on a
biased or incomplete sample, and using inappropriate graphical
representations.
Mode ......ANSWER......Mode is the value that occurs most frequently
in the data.
Multivariate regression analyses ......ANSWER......Multivariate
regression analyses can be used to analyze and adjust risk. This
analysis model contrasts each measured factor to the patient's risk of
a particular outcome.
Nominal data ......ANSWER......Nominal data can be measured as a
frequency or percentage, and the mean of these data cannot be
calculated. Nominal data in healthcare might include demographic
information about patients. The word nominal means "pertaining to a
name."
pg. 3
, 4|Page
Ordinal data ......ANSWER......Ordinal data can be measured as a
frequency, and the mean of ordinal data is often calculated. Ordinal
data in healthcare might include patient satisfaction surveys using a
Likert scale. The word ordinal means to "put in order."
Parametric and nonparametric tests ......ANSWER......Parametric tests
are based on probability distributions. Nonparametric tests are used
when data are not normally distributed.
Pearson's correlation ......ANSWER......Pearson's correlation is used
with interval and ordinal scale data and determines the extent to
which a change in one variable tends to be associated with a change in
another.
Qualitative research methods ......ANSWER......Qualitative research is
aimed at understanding perceptions, perspectives, interpretations,
and opinions. Qualitative research methods often include
questionnaires, interviews, written documents, observations, and
focus groups.
Ratio data ......ANSWER......Divide one quantity by another, and you
have a value. You will have a proportion, a percentage or a rate.
Reliability, validity, and analysis of questionnaires
......ANSWER......Questionnaires can be evaluated for reliability based
on their consistency (stability) or repeatability over time;
questionnaires are valid if they measure or record what they purport
pg. 4
WGU D514 Analytical Methods of Healthcare
Leaders Detailed Guide Exam 2026 Complete
Questions And Answers Graded A+
ANOVA test ......ANSWER......Analysis of variance (ANOVA) may be
used in research studies where there are two or more groups to
compare.
Chi-square tests ......ANSWER......Chi-square tests determine if an
association exists between two categorical variables.
Control group ......ANSWER......In a healthcare environment, this
group of patients does not receive the treatment that is being studied.
Experimental group ......ANSWER......This group of patients receives
the treatment being studied with follow-up observation to determine
the effect of the treatment.
F-test ......ANSWER......The F-test is designed to test if two population
variances are equal. The ratio of the two variances is compared. If
they are equal, the ratio of the variances will be 1.
pg. 1
,2|Page
Frequency ......ANSWER......Frequencies measure how often a
particular value occurs to assess the importance of a value or check
the variation of the values in a study.
Hypothesis ......ANSWER......A proposed explanation for an
observation that leads to a prediction. Through investigation and the
use of statistical data, those doing the study will either confirm or
reject the hypothesis. Testing the hypothesis will show if there is a link
(or not) between two or more variables.
Integrity ......ANSWER......Research always makes some assumptions,
depending on the type of method used. Research assumptions must
be identified to determine possible breaches of integrity.
Interval data ......ANSWER......Interval data includes units of equal size,
such as IQ results. There is no zero point. An example of interval scale
is time: Time is measured in 24 hours in each day; the time between
each hour is the same, 60 minutes.
Mean ......ANSWER......Mean is the arithmetic average. Divide the sum
of all scores by the total number of scores.
Median ......ANSWER......Median is the midpoint of the distribution of
values, or the point above or below which 50 percent of the values
fall.
pg. 2
,3|Page
Methods section components ......ANSWER......When analyzing the
quality of a study, a careful evaluation of the research methods can
reveal critical details about population and sample, covariables and
hypothesis, data presentation, statistical analysis, and study
limitations.
Misleading statistics ......ANSWER......Interpreting and presenting the
results of data analysis affords many opportunities for accidental or
deliberate misrepresentations of data. Common examples include
implying causation, extrapolating beyond the reasonable, relying on a
biased or incomplete sample, and using inappropriate graphical
representations.
Mode ......ANSWER......Mode is the value that occurs most frequently
in the data.
Multivariate regression analyses ......ANSWER......Multivariate
regression analyses can be used to analyze and adjust risk. This
analysis model contrasts each measured factor to the patient's risk of
a particular outcome.
Nominal data ......ANSWER......Nominal data can be measured as a
frequency or percentage, and the mean of these data cannot be
calculated. Nominal data in healthcare might include demographic
information about patients. The word nominal means "pertaining to a
name."
pg. 3
, 4|Page
Ordinal data ......ANSWER......Ordinal data can be measured as a
frequency, and the mean of ordinal data is often calculated. Ordinal
data in healthcare might include patient satisfaction surveys using a
Likert scale. The word ordinal means to "put in order."
Parametric and nonparametric tests ......ANSWER......Parametric tests
are based on probability distributions. Nonparametric tests are used
when data are not normally distributed.
Pearson's correlation ......ANSWER......Pearson's correlation is used
with interval and ordinal scale data and determines the extent to
which a change in one variable tends to be associated with a change in
another.
Qualitative research methods ......ANSWER......Qualitative research is
aimed at understanding perceptions, perspectives, interpretations,
and opinions. Qualitative research methods often include
questionnaires, interviews, written documents, observations, and
focus groups.
Ratio data ......ANSWER......Divide one quantity by another, and you
have a value. You will have a proportion, a percentage or a rate.
Reliability, validity, and analysis of questionnaires
......ANSWER......Questionnaires can be evaluated for reliability based
on their consistency (stability) or repeatability over time;
questionnaires are valid if they measure or record what they purport
pg. 4
