TEST BANK
Understanding Nursing Research: Building an Evidence-Based
Practice
Susan K. Grove, and Jennifer R. Gray
7th Edition
,Table of Contents
Chapter 01 Introduction to Nursing Research and Its Importance in Building an Evidence-
Based Practice 1
Chapter 02 Introduction to Quantitative Research 13
Chapter 03 Introduction to Qualitative Research 29
Chapter 04 Examining Ethics in Nursing Research 45
Chapter 05 Examining Research Problems, Purposes, and Hypotheses 60
Chapter 06 Understanding and Critically Appraising the Literature Review 77
Chapter 07 Understanding Theory and Research Frameworks 91
Chapter 08 Clarifying Quantitative Research Designs 101
Chapter 09 Examining Populations and Samples in Research 116
Chapter 10 Clarifying Measurement and Data Collection in Quantitative Research 133
Chapter 11 Understanding Statistics in Research 149
Chapter 12 Critical Appraisal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research for Nursing
Practice 170
Chapter 13 Building an Evidence-Based Nursing Practice 185
Chapter 14 Introduction to Additional Research Methodologies in Nursing Mixed-
Methods and Outcomes Research 195
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Test Bank - Understanding Nursing Research, 7th Edition (Grove, 2019)
Chapter 01: Introduction to Nursing Research and Its Importance in Building an
Evidence-Based Practice
Grove: Understanding Nursing Research, 7th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which statement best describes evidence-based practice (EBP)?
a. A combination of best research evidence, clinical expertise, and the needs and
values of patients
b. A determination of the factors necessary to control patient responses to care and
delivery of care
c. The development of population care guidelines applicable to all patients
d. The utilization of quantitative and qualitative studies to enhance patient outcomes
ANS: A
Evidence-based practice evolves from the integration of the best research evidence with
clinical expertise and patient needs and values. Studies that attempt to find determinants of
patient outcomes are generally experimental or quasi-experimental. They may be used to
guide EBP but do not completely define it. EBP is a combination of guidelines and specific
patient needs and values. Quantitative and qualitative studies applied to the evaluation of
patient outcomes are part of EBP but do not completely define EBP.
DIF: Cognitive level: Remembering (Knowledge)
2. The nurse is collecting data about the sleep patterns of breastfed babies as part of a larger
research study. Which research method will the nurse use when collecting data for this study?
a. Control
b. Description
c. Explanation
d. Prediction
ANS: B
Description involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and the
relationships among these phenomena. Control can be described as the ability to write a
prescription to produce the desired results. Explanation clarifies the relationships among
phenomena and identifies why certain events occur. Through prediction, the probability of a
specific outcome can be estimated in a given situation.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding (Comprehension)
3. The nurse is participating in a study and is collecting data identifying the number of obese
adults whose parents were also obese or overweight. Which research method is being used in
this study?
a. Control
b. Description
c. Explanation
d. Prediction
ANS: D
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Through prediction, the probability of a specific outcome can be estimated in a given
situation. By knowing the percentage of parents of obese adults who were obese, the
probability of predicting this may be calculated. Control indicates the ability to use a
prescribed intervention to produce the desired results. Description involves identifying and
understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and the relationships among these
phenomena. Explanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why
certain events occur.
DIF: Cognitive level: Applying (Application)
4. The nurse reviews a study in which adherence to an asthma action plan is compared among
groups of young adults who received different asthma education. Which research method does
this represent?
a. Control
b. Description
c. Explanation
d. Prediction
ANS: C
Explanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies why certain events
occur. Control indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to produce the desired
results. Description involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena
and the relationships among these phenomena. Through prediction, the probability of a
specific outcome can be estimated in a given situation.
DIF: Cognitive level: Applying (Application)
5. A nurse manager is interested in learning which attitudes among staff nurses may indicate
relative risk of needle-stick injuries. To study this, the nurse manager will employ which
method of study?
a. Control
b. Description
c. Explanation
d. Prediction
ANS: D
Through prediction, the probability of a specific outcome can be estimated in a given
situation. Control indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to produce the desired
results. Description involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena
and the relationships among these phenomena. Explanation clarifies the relationships among
phenomena and identifies why certain events occur.
DIF: Cognitive level: Applying (Application)
6. Which is the most important result of Florence Nightingale’s data collection and statistical
analysis during the Crimean War?
a. Bringing awareness of the rigors of war to the general public in relation to care
practices
b. Developing a process for statistical analysis and nursing documentation
c. Identifying and defining the role of nurses in modern health care
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d. Using clinical research to evaluate the need for sanitation, clean drinking water,
and adequate nutrition
ANS: D
Nightingale’s research enabled her to instigate attitudinal, organizational, and social changes,
including the military’s approach to the care of the sick and society’s sense of responsibility
for testing public water, improving sanitation, and preventing starvation to decrease morbidity
and mortality rates. Bringing awareness of the rigors of war to the public, developing a
process for statistical analysis and nursing documentation, and identifying and defining the
role of nurses in modern health care were not the most important results.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding (Comprehension)
7. The nurse participates in data collection in a study in which two different pain management
protocols are used with randomly assigned patients to measure differences in postoperative
recovery time. Which method of study is this?
a. Control
b. Correlation
c. Description
d. Explanation
ANS: A
Control indicates the ability to use a prescribed intervention to produce the desired results.
Correlation examines the relationships between different phenomena. Description involves
identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and the relationships among
these phenomena. Explanation clarifies the relationships among phenomena and identifies
why certain events occur.
DIF: Cognitive level: Applying (Application)
8. The nurse reviews a study exploring experiences of nurses’ decision-making processes
regarding reporting a medical error. Which research method does this represent?
a. Control
b. Description
c. Explanation
d. Prediction
ANS: B
Description involves identifying and understanding the nature of nursing phenomena and the
relationships among these phenomena. Control can be described as the ability to write a
prescription to produce the desired results. Explanation clarifies the relationships among
phenomena and identifies why certain events occur. Through prediction, the probability of a
specific outcome can be estimated in a given situation.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding (Comprehension)
9. The development of nursing theories and conceptual models in the late 1960s and 1970s
served to
a. determine the effectiveness of nursing interventions.
b. establish the concept of evidence-based practice.
c. provide funding for nursing research.
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d. provide direction for nursing research.
ANS: D
The theories developed in the 1960s and 1970s helped to guide future nursing research and
practice. Outcome studies are used to determine the effectiveness of nursing interventions.
The concept of EBP was developed in the 1970s and promoted by the ANCC Magnet Hospital
Designation program. The NINR seeks to provide funding for nursing research.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding (Comprehension)
10. The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) began to change its focus to
a. funding nursing rather than medical research.
b. evaluating outcomes rather than process studies.
c. increasing the status and funding for nursing research.
d. supporting the dissemination of nursing research.
ANS: C
The National Center for Nursing Research (NCNR) changed its name to the NINR to increase
the status and funding of nursing research. The change in focus from medical to nursing
research came about with the first nursing programs. Outcomes research emerged in the 1980s
and 1990s to document the effectiveness of healthcare services. The NCNR’s purpose was to
support the conduct and dissemination of knowledge development through nursing research.
DIF: Cognitive level: Remembering (Knowledge)
11. An emphasis of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Hospital
Designation Program for Excellence in Nursing is
a. research and development of clinical practice guidelines.
b. putting qualitative research into practice in clinical settings.
c. using standard nursing care plans based on outcomes research.
d. utilizing evidence-based practice in nursing.
ANS: D
ANCC implemented the Magnet Hospital Designation Program for Excellence in Nursing
Service in 1990 that emphasized EBP for nursing. Clinical practice guidelines are a more
recent phenomenon, using evidence-based research, expert opinion, and patient needs and
values to standardize care. Qualitative research was introduced in the late 1970s to gain
insight into the phenomena related to nursing. Outcomes research was important in the 1980s
to 1990s to document the effectiveness of healthcare services.
DIF: Cognitive level: Remembering (Knowledge)
12. In a position statement in 2006, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
identified a need to
a. acquire clinical knowledge and expertise.
b. focus on evidence-based practice.
c. fund academic nursing research.
d. prepare a workforce of nurse scientists.
ANS: D
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The AACN identified the importance of creating a research culture, providing high-quality
educational programs to prepare a workforce of nurse scientists, develop a sound research
structure, and obtain funding for nursing research. Basic nursing education focuses on clinical
knowledge and expertise. Evidence-based practice is a focus of ANCC and the Magnet
Designation Program for Excellence in Nursing Service. The NINR focuses on funding for
nursing research.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding (Comprehension)
13. The lead agency designated to improve healthcare quality is
a. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
b. American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
c. Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN).
d. National Institute for Nursing Research (NINR).
ANS: A
AHRQ is a scientific partner with the public and private sectors to improve the quality and
safety of patient care. ANCC provides credentialing for advanced practice nurses and for
Magnet Designation for Excellence in Nursing Service. QSEN is focused on developing the
requisite skills, knowledge, and attitude statements for the competencies for prelicensure and
graduate education. The National Institute of Nursing Research is a federally funded arm of
the National Institutes of Health, providing nursing with federal support for nursing research
priorities.
DIF: Cognitive level: Remembering (Knowledge)
14. To help fulfill the mission of the National Institute for Nursing Research—to promote and
improve the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations—a study may be
conducted that
a. assesses the effectiveness of strategies for weight management in patients with
type 2 diabetes.
b. compares the attitudes of nurses toward clients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
c. generates up-to-date nursing diagnoses reflecting the needs of clients with type 2
diabetes.
d. reviews hospital nurses’ adherence to glucose-monitoring guidelines for patients
with type 2 diabetes.
ANS: A
A study that assesses the effectiveness of interventions helps to improve the health of patient
populations by identifying appropriate strategies. A comparison of attitudes is a descriptive
study that does not improve outcomes. A study to generate nursing diagnoses does not directly
affect patient outcomes. A study reviewing adherence to guidelines seeks to provide data for
quality assurance.
DIF: Cognitive level: Applying (Application)
15. Which best describes the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competency for
evidence-based practice (EBP)?
a. Adhering to published guidelines to provide care for a specific population
b. Empowering clients to choose among effective disease management strategies
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c. Relying on expert knowledge to guide care plan development for an individual
d. Using evidence gained solely from experimental studies to guide care patient
ANS: B
The QSEN competency for EBP is defined as integrating the best evidence with clinical
expertise and patient/family preferences. Strict adherence to guidelines does not take the
patient/family preferences into account. EBP does not rely solely on expert knowledge or
experimental studies. Although experimental studies provide the highest level of study data,
EBP does not rely solely on experimental studies.
DIF: Cognitive level: Applying (Application)
16. Through knowledge gained from her phenomenological qualitative study identifying levels of
experience of professional nurses, Patricia Benner would identify which nurse as an expert?
a. A hospice nurse who values the unique wishes of each patient when providing
palliative care
b. A medical-surgical nurse who organizes care for a group of patients to ensure
timely administration of medications
c. A neonatal intensive care nurse who is skilled in inserting peripherally inserted
central catheters
d. A pediatric nurse who notes subtle changes and intervenes to prevent respiratory
failure
ANS: D
The expert nurse has an extensive background of experience and is able to identify and
accurately intervene skillfully in a situation. The pediatric nurse in this case recognizes subtle
changes and is able to act to prevent serious circumstances. The proficient nurse views the
patient as a whole and recognizes that each patient responds differently to illness and health.
The competent nurse is able to achieve goals and plans and to take conscious actions to
organize and provide efficient care. The NIC nurse is also an example of a competent nurse
who is skilled in a procedure.
DIF: Cognitive level: Analyzing (Analysis)
17. Which study exemplifies qualitative research?
a. A study that evaluates appetite among residents of a long-term care facility and
correlates this data with whether or not residents are rooming together with their
spouses
b. A study that defines levels of appetite based on residents’ descriptions of hunger in
a long-term care facility
c. A study that observes the interactions of spouses during mealtimes in a long-term
care facility
d. A study that observes the effectiveness of spousal encouragement to eat on the
residents’ quality of appetite in a long-term care facility
ANS: C
Qualitative research involves the study of people as they interact in their sociohistorical
settings. Correlational studies are quantitative studies. A descriptive study that measures
appetite is a quantitative study. A measure of the effectiveness of an intervention is a
quasi-experimental quantitative study.
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DIF: Cognitive level: Analyzing (Analysis)
18. Which category of the quantitative research methods examines relationships and is conducted
to develop and refine explanatory knowledge for nursing practice?
a. Descriptive research
b. Correlational research
c. Quasi-experimental research
d. Experimental research
ANS: B
Correlational research examines relationships to develop and refine explanatory knowledge.
Descriptive research explores new areas of research and describes situations as they exist in
the world. Quasi-experimental and experimental studies determine the effectiveness of
nursing interventions in predicting and controlling the outcomes desired for patients and
families.
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding (Comprehension)
19. A common method of measurement used in qualitative research is
a. scales.
b. physiological measures.
c. unstructured interviews.
d. questionnaires.
ANS: C
Data in qualitative research take the forms of words, which are collected through interviews,
observations, and focus groups. The methods of measurement commonly used in quantitative
research include scales, questionnaires, and physiological measures (see Table 1.3).
DIF: Cognitive level: Understanding (Comprehension)
20. A nurse researcher wants to know how well adolescent mothers can learn to manage their
children’s asthma and develops an initial study to explore and define perceptions of asthma
among this population. Which best describes this initial study?
a. Correlational research
b. Descriptive research
c. Phenomenological research
d. Outcomes research
ANS: B
Descriptive research explores new areas of research and describes situations as they exist in
the world. This initial study aims to describe current perceptions of asthma in a given
population. Correlational research would attempt to make a connection between perceptions
of asthma and a specific outcome. Phenomenological research involves gaining deeper
insights into perceptions and values, not simply describing them. Qualitative research does not
attempt to define variables.
DIF: Cognitive level: Analyzing (Analysis)
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