Nursing Research
Q & A w/ Rationales
204
,When conducting nursing research, what is the
primary purpose of a literature review?
a. To summarize the key findings of the researcher's
own study
b. To identify existing knowledge and gaps in the
literature related to the research topic
c. To provide a detailed description of the research
methodology used
d. To present the statistical analysis of the research
data
Answer: b. To identify existing knowledge and gaps
in the literature related to the research topic
Rationale: A literature review in nursing research
serves to examine existing literature and identify gaps
in knowledge, helping to inform the research focus
and contribute to the existing body of knowledge.
Which research design is best suited for investigating
cause-and-effect relationships between variables in
nursing research?
a. Descriptive design
b. Correlational design
c. Experimental design
d. Cross-sectional design
Answer: c. Experimental design
, Rationale: Experimental design enables researchers
to manipulate an independent variable and observe its
effects on a dependent variable, allowing for the
investigation of cause-and-effect relationships.
In the context of evidence-based practice, what is the
role of clinical guidelines in nursing?
a. They provide a set of rigid rules that must be
followed in patient care
b. They offer flexible recommendations based on
best available evidence for decision-making
c. They are not relevant to evidence-based practice
in nursing
d. They are solely based on personal opinions of
healthcare providers
Answer: b. They offer flexible recommendations
based on best available evidence for decision-making
Rationale: Clinical guidelines in evidence-based
practice provide flexible recommendations based on
the best available evidence to assist healthcare
providers in making informed decisions about patient
care.
Which of the following is an example of a
quantitative research method commonly used in
nursing research?
a. Case study
b. Phenomenological study
, c. Survey
d. Grounded theory study
Answer: c. Survey
Rationale: Surveys are a quantitative research
method that involves collecting numerical data from a
sample of participants, allowing for statistical analysis
and generalization of findings in nursing research.
When critically appraising a research article, which of
the following aspects should a nurse consider?
a. The popularity of the journal in which the article
is published
b. The author's personal background and experience
c. The appropriateness of the research design and
methodology
d. The length of the article and the number of
references cited
Answer: c. The appropriateness of the research
design and methodology
Rationale: When critically appraising a research
article, nurses should consider the appropriateness of
the research design and methodology used to ensure
the validity and reliability of the study's findings.
What is the primary goal of qualitative research in
nursing?
a. To establish cause-and-effect relationships