NUR 350 | NUR350 Exam 2: Research in Nursing -
WCU Updated and Latest Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationale
1. Which sampling method involves choosing the most readily available people as
participants in a study?
A. Quota sampling
B. Convenience sampling
C. Purposive sampling
D. Simple random sampling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Convenience sampling is a non-probability technique where participants are
selected based on their easy accessibility. This method is frequently used in nursing
research due to time and resource constraints. It often results in a sample that may not
represent the entire population accurately. Researchers must acknowledge this limitation
when discussing the generalizability of their results. Despite its limitations, it provides a
practical starting point for many clinical studies.
2. In qualitative research, what is the term used when no new information is being obtained
and redundancy is achieved?
A. Data Exhaustion
B. Theoretical Sampling
C. Data Saturation
D. Constant Comparison
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Data saturation occurs when the researcher no longer hears new information
from participants. It serves as a signal that the sample size is sufficient for the qualitative
inquiry. This process ensures that the phenomenon under study is fully explored and
understood. Unlike quantitative research, qualitative studies do not rely on power analysis
for sample size. Achieving saturation is a key indicator of the rigor and depth of the study.
3. Which ethical principle from the Belmont Report requires researchers to minimize harm
and maximize benefits?
A. Justice
B. Respect for Persons
C. Beneficence
,D. Autonomy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical obligation to protect participants from harm while
ensuring their well-being. Researchers must carefully weigh the potential risks against the
potential benefits to the subjects. This principle is a cornerstone of the Belmont Report and
institutional review board guidelines. It ensures that the welfare of the participant is
always a primary concern during the research. Failing to uphold beneficence can lead to
unethical treatment and loss of public trust.
4. What is the primary difference between a true experimental design and a quasi-
experimental design?
A. The random assignment of participants
B. The presence of a hypothesis
C. The manipulation of an independent variable
D. The use of a control group
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: True experimental designs require the random assignment of subjects to either
an intervention or control group. Quasi-experimental designs lack this random assignment,
often because it is not feasible or ethical. Both designs involve the manipulation of an
independent variable to observe an effect. Randomization helps control for extraneous
variables that could influence the study outcomes. Therefore, random assignment is the
defining feature that distinguishes these two quantitative approaches.
5. Which qualitative research tradition focuses on describing and interpreting the shared
culture of a group?
A. Phenomenology
B. Ethnography
C. Grounded Theory
D. Historical Research
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ethnography is a qualitative method used to study the customs, beliefs, and
behaviors of a specific cultural group. Researchers often engage in participant observation
to gain an insider’s perspective on the culture. The goal is to provide a thick description of
how the group functions in its natural environment. This approach is valuable in nursing
for understanding patient populations with distinct cultural backgrounds. It requires long-
term immersion and the collection of diverse types of data.
, 6. A researcher is measuring the internal consistency of a new survey tool. Which statistic are
they most likely calculating?
A. Pearson’s r
B. Chi-square
C. Cronbach’s alpha
D. T-test
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cronbach’s alpha is the standard statistic used to evaluate the internal
consistency of a multi-item scale. It measures how closely related a set of items are as a
group within a tool. A higher coefficient indicates that the items reliably measure the same
underlying construct. This is a critical step in establishing the reliability of quantitative
data collection instruments. Researchers typically aim for a value of 0.70 or higher for new
or established scales.
7. Which of the following is considered a vulnerable population requiring extra protection in
research?
A. Registered nurses in a hospital
B. College students over 18
C. Pregnant women and fetuses
D. Healthy adult volunteers
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pregnant women and fetuses are specifically identified as a vulnerable
population in federal research regulations. These groups require additional safeguards
because of their increased susceptibility to harm or coercion. Researchers must provide
justification for including them and ensure specific ethical criteria are met. Other
vulnerable groups include children, prisoners, and individuals with cognitive impairments.
Protecting these populations is a central responsibility of the Institutional Review Board
(IRB).
8. What is the purpose of ‘bracketing’ in phenomenological research?
A. To group similar themes together
B. To organize the reference list alphabetically
C. To calculate the sample size needed for the study
D. To set aside personal biases and preconceived notions
Correct Answer: D
WCU Updated and Latest Questions and Correct
Answers with Rationale
1. Which sampling method involves choosing the most readily available people as
participants in a study?
A. Quota sampling
B. Convenience sampling
C. Purposive sampling
D. Simple random sampling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Convenience sampling is a non-probability technique where participants are
selected based on their easy accessibility. This method is frequently used in nursing
research due to time and resource constraints. It often results in a sample that may not
represent the entire population accurately. Researchers must acknowledge this limitation
when discussing the generalizability of their results. Despite its limitations, it provides a
practical starting point for many clinical studies.
2. In qualitative research, what is the term used when no new information is being obtained
and redundancy is achieved?
A. Data Exhaustion
B. Theoretical Sampling
C. Data Saturation
D. Constant Comparison
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Data saturation occurs when the researcher no longer hears new information
from participants. It serves as a signal that the sample size is sufficient for the qualitative
inquiry. This process ensures that the phenomenon under study is fully explored and
understood. Unlike quantitative research, qualitative studies do not rely on power analysis
for sample size. Achieving saturation is a key indicator of the rigor and depth of the study.
3. Which ethical principle from the Belmont Report requires researchers to minimize harm
and maximize benefits?
A. Justice
B. Respect for Persons
C. Beneficence
,D. Autonomy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical obligation to protect participants from harm while
ensuring their well-being. Researchers must carefully weigh the potential risks against the
potential benefits to the subjects. This principle is a cornerstone of the Belmont Report and
institutional review board guidelines. It ensures that the welfare of the participant is
always a primary concern during the research. Failing to uphold beneficence can lead to
unethical treatment and loss of public trust.
4. What is the primary difference between a true experimental design and a quasi-
experimental design?
A. The random assignment of participants
B. The presence of a hypothesis
C. The manipulation of an independent variable
D. The use of a control group
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: True experimental designs require the random assignment of subjects to either
an intervention or control group. Quasi-experimental designs lack this random assignment,
often because it is not feasible or ethical. Both designs involve the manipulation of an
independent variable to observe an effect. Randomization helps control for extraneous
variables that could influence the study outcomes. Therefore, random assignment is the
defining feature that distinguishes these two quantitative approaches.
5. Which qualitative research tradition focuses on describing and interpreting the shared
culture of a group?
A. Phenomenology
B. Ethnography
C. Grounded Theory
D. Historical Research
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ethnography is a qualitative method used to study the customs, beliefs, and
behaviors of a specific cultural group. Researchers often engage in participant observation
to gain an insider’s perspective on the culture. The goal is to provide a thick description of
how the group functions in its natural environment. This approach is valuable in nursing
for understanding patient populations with distinct cultural backgrounds. It requires long-
term immersion and the collection of diverse types of data.
, 6. A researcher is measuring the internal consistency of a new survey tool. Which statistic are
they most likely calculating?
A. Pearson’s r
B. Chi-square
C. Cronbach’s alpha
D. T-test
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cronbach’s alpha is the standard statistic used to evaluate the internal
consistency of a multi-item scale. It measures how closely related a set of items are as a
group within a tool. A higher coefficient indicates that the items reliably measure the same
underlying construct. This is a critical step in establishing the reliability of quantitative
data collection instruments. Researchers typically aim for a value of 0.70 or higher for new
or established scales.
7. Which of the following is considered a vulnerable population requiring extra protection in
research?
A. Registered nurses in a hospital
B. College students over 18
C. Pregnant women and fetuses
D. Healthy adult volunteers
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pregnant women and fetuses are specifically identified as a vulnerable
population in federal research regulations. These groups require additional safeguards
because of their increased susceptibility to harm or coercion. Researchers must provide
justification for including them and ensure specific ethical criteria are met. Other
vulnerable groups include children, prisoners, and individuals with cognitive impairments.
Protecting these populations is a central responsibility of the Institutional Review Board
(IRB).
8. What is the purpose of ‘bracketing’ in phenomenological research?
A. To group similar themes together
B. To organize the reference list alphabetically
C. To calculate the sample size needed for the study
D. To set aside personal biases and preconceived notions
Correct Answer: D
