TEST BANK FOR NURSING RESEARCH 9TH EDITION BY LOBIONDO-WOOD
Chapter 02: Research Questions, Hypotheses, and Clinical Questions
LoBiondo-Wood & Haber: Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for
Evidence-Based Practice, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The difference between a research question and a hypothesis is:
a. a research question is practice based, and a hypothesis is theory based.
b. a hypothesis attempts to answer the question posed by the research problem.
c. a research problem defines clinical research and a hypothesis defines basic
research.
d. there is no difference between a research problem and a hypothesis.
ANS: B
Feedback
A Although a hypothesis is sometimes theory based, sometimes it is not. Similarly,
research questions are not always practice based. Sometimes they originate in
educational theory that relates to nursing education research, and sometimes they
originate in basic, rather than applied, research.
B A hypothesis attempts to answer the research question.
C Research problems are present in all types of research, and a hypothesis may be
present in basic or applied research.
D Hypotheses and research questions are not identical. Hypotheses flow from
research questions and suggest the ways the questions can be investigated.
N
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
REF: Page 24
2. How is a hypothesis related to a theory?
a. Hypotheses can be developed in the absence of a theoretical framework.
b. Hypotheses must be consistent with an existing theoretical framework.
c. A theory can determine the validity of a hypothesis.
d. A theory can be used to evaluate the merit of a hypothesis.
ANS: B
Feedback
A A hypothesis is a bridge between a theoretical framework and the real world of
empirical testing. Therefore, a theoretical framework is required.
B A sound hypothesis is consistent with an existing body of theory and research
findings.
C When tested, a hypothesis can help determine the validity of a theory’s
assumptions—the reverse of option C.
D When tested, a hypothesis can help evaluate a theory’s merit—the opposite of
option D.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
REF: Page 24
, TEST BANK FOR NURSING RESEARCH 9TH EDITION BY LOBIONDO-WOOD
3. A nurse makes these statements. Which one has the greatest potential as an area of nursing
research?
a. “Most of our hospital’s admissions come in at night.”
b. “It is difficult to find personnel willing to work the nightshift.”
c. “It seems that most of the patient falls on our unit occur during the nightshift.”
d. “The personnel on the nightshift are not attending promptly to the needs of our
patients.”
ANS: C
Feedback
A This statement is broad and not specific to patient care. It would need to be
defined in much more detail to have potential for nursing research.
B This broad statement is important to managers responsible for staffing a health
care facility. However, it does not show potential for investigation that would
contribute to the body of nursing knowledge.
C This statement identifies a specific, important patient problem. Its exploration
has potential to contribute to the body of nursing knowledge.
D This is a broad subjective observation that does not suggest any approach for
investigation or potential for contributing to the body of nursing knowledge.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
REF: Page 25, Table 2.1
4. The nurse has identified a clinical problem as a potential research question. The next step
should be: N
a. identify the variables.
b. formulate the research hypothesis.
c. perform a literature review.
d. determine financial resources for the research project.
ANS: C
Feedback
A It is too early to identify variables. They will be confirmed by the literature
review.
B Although the researcher may have a preliminary hunch about the hypothesis, it
cannot be formulated until the research question is formalized after the literature
review is completed.
C The literature review helps to further define the research question by identifying
gaps in the literature, the need for replication of prior research, or the need to
extend the knowledge base in a particular research area. It also identifies
variables essential to consider in refining the research question.
D The financial resources needed for the project cannot be determined until the
study’s design and methodology are finalized.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
REF: Page 25, Table 2.1, page 26
Chapter 02: Research Questions, Hypotheses, and Clinical Questions
LoBiondo-Wood & Haber: Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for
Evidence-Based Practice, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The difference between a research question and a hypothesis is:
a. a research question is practice based, and a hypothesis is theory based.
b. a hypothesis attempts to answer the question posed by the research problem.
c. a research problem defines clinical research and a hypothesis defines basic
research.
d. there is no difference between a research problem and a hypothesis.
ANS: B
Feedback
A Although a hypothesis is sometimes theory based, sometimes it is not. Similarly,
research questions are not always practice based. Sometimes they originate in
educational theory that relates to nursing education research, and sometimes they
originate in basic, rather than applied, research.
B A hypothesis attempts to answer the research question.
C Research problems are present in all types of research, and a hypothesis may be
present in basic or applied research.
D Hypotheses and research questions are not identical. Hypotheses flow from
research questions and suggest the ways the questions can be investigated.
N
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
REF: Page 24
2. How is a hypothesis related to a theory?
a. Hypotheses can be developed in the absence of a theoretical framework.
b. Hypotheses must be consistent with an existing theoretical framework.
c. A theory can determine the validity of a hypothesis.
d. A theory can be used to evaluate the merit of a hypothesis.
ANS: B
Feedback
A A hypothesis is a bridge between a theoretical framework and the real world of
empirical testing. Therefore, a theoretical framework is required.
B A sound hypothesis is consistent with an existing body of theory and research
findings.
C When tested, a hypothesis can help determine the validity of a theory’s
assumptions—the reverse of option C.
D When tested, a hypothesis can help evaluate a theory’s merit—the opposite of
option D.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
REF: Page 24
, TEST BANK FOR NURSING RESEARCH 9TH EDITION BY LOBIONDO-WOOD
3. A nurse makes these statements. Which one has the greatest potential as an area of nursing
research?
a. “Most of our hospital’s admissions come in at night.”
b. “It is difficult to find personnel willing to work the nightshift.”
c. “It seems that most of the patient falls on our unit occur during the nightshift.”
d. “The personnel on the nightshift are not attending promptly to the needs of our
patients.”
ANS: C
Feedback
A This statement is broad and not specific to patient care. It would need to be
defined in much more detail to have potential for nursing research.
B This broad statement is important to managers responsible for staffing a health
care facility. However, it does not show potential for investigation that would
contribute to the body of nursing knowledge.
C This statement identifies a specific, important patient problem. Its exploration
has potential to contribute to the body of nursing knowledge.
D This is a broad subjective observation that does not suggest any approach for
investigation or potential for contributing to the body of nursing knowledge.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
REF: Page 25, Table 2.1
4. The nurse has identified a clinical problem as a potential research question. The next step
should be: N
a. identify the variables.
b. formulate the research hypothesis.
c. perform a literature review.
d. determine financial resources for the research project.
ANS: C
Feedback
A It is too early to identify variables. They will be confirmed by the literature
review.
B Although the researcher may have a preliminary hunch about the hypothesis, it
cannot be formulated until the research question is formalized after the literature
review is completed.
C The literature review helps to further define the research question by identifying
gaps in the literature, the need for replication of prior research, or the need to
extend the knowledge base in a particular research area. It also identifies
variables essential to consider in refining the research question.
D The financial resources needed for the project cannot be determined until the
study’s design and methodology are finalized.
PTS: 1 DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)
REF: Page 25, Table 2.1, page 26
