Chapter 10: Nonexperimental Designs
LoBiondo-Wood & Haber: Nursing
Research: Methods and Critical
Appraisal forEvidence-Based
Practice, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What is the first question that should be asked in determining whether a cross-sectional design
or a longitudinal design should be used in a quantitative study?
a. Is there an independent variable?
b. What is the nature of the problem being studied?
c. Will a measurement tool or instrument be needed?
d. Can statistical analysis be applied to the study data?
ANS: B
Feedback
A Independent variables are used in both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.
B The nature of the research problem determines whether a cross-sectional or
longitudinal design should be used.
C A measurement tool or instrument can be used in both cross-sectional and
longitudinal designs.
D Statistical analyses can be used in both cross-sectional and longitudinal designs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 202
2. Which method of data collection is most appropriate for a nurse researcher to use in a survey
study?
a. Videorecording of people-to-people interactions
b. Direct participant observation
c. Unstructured interview
d. Questionnaires
ANS: D
Feedback
A Videorecording of interpersonal interactions is more common for observational
and focus group studies.
B Direct participant observation is used in qualitative and observational type
studies.
C Unstructured interviews are not usually appropriate for survey design.
D Questionnaires are the best method for a survey study.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 203
3. Why would a nurse researcher choose to use research studies that examine the associations or
,TEST BANK FOR NURSING RESEARCH 9TH EDITION BY LOBIONDO-WOOD
relationships between variables?
a. A causal relationship can be determined between the variables.
b. Greater manipulation of the variables is possible in this type of study.
c. Randomization of participants allows for increased generalizability.
d. There is application in clinical settings and a foundation for future experimental
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studies.
ANS: D
Feedback
A Causal relationships are usually determined by experimental and quasi-
experimental designs.
B Correlational or association-type designs do not involve manipulation of
variables.
C Randomization can be used in various levels of research and is not reserved for
associative design research.
D Advantages of correlational studies include their application to clinical settings
and a foundation for future experimental designs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: Page 204
4. Why would a nurse researcher choose not to use a survey study design?
a. Data analysis is limited with a survey design.
b. Information collected is relatively superficial.
c. Results are never applicable beyond the study population.
d. More subjects are required to reach statistical significance than for other study
designs.
ANS: B
Feedback
A Survey design can yield extensive data for analysis.
B Information obtained in a survey tends to be superficial.
C Survey design does not necessarily limit generalizability.
D A survey design does not necessarily increase the need for a larger sample size.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: Page 203
5. A nurse researcher would choose to use a correlational study of multiple variables for which
purpose?
a. To identify the independent variable
b. To test whether one variable causes another variable
c. To examine relationships between or among variables
d. To distinguish how different one variable is from another variable
ANS: C
Feedback
A The independent variable(s) should be identified by the researcher planning a
study.
B Causation cannot be established by correlational design.
C A multivariate correlational study examines relationships between or among
variables.
D Correlational design will not help distinguish variables from other variables.