LoBiondo-Wood: Nursing Research in Canada, 4th Edition
1. Which of the following definitions of paradigm is correct?
a. A way of linking the naturalistic world to empirical thought
b. Philosophical beliefs that influence the way people in a society think about the
world
c. A model that captures the interaction of specific variables within a known concept
d. A concept that encompasses the integration of “wholeness,” spirituality, and
personal worth into scientific thought
ANS: B
Feedback
A. Paradigms vary for naturalistic and empirical worlds.
B. Philosophical beliefs that influence the way people in a society think about the
world defines the term paradigm.
C. A model that captures the interaction of specific variables within a known
concept describes positivist approaches to research.
D. A concept that encompasses the integration of “wholeness,” spirituality, and
personal worth into scientific thought is not a definition of the term paradigm; it
describes a specific paradigm.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. Which of the following is the correct definition of theory?
, a. The assumptions and beliefs of the “worldview” of the researcher
b. A set of interrelated concepts that provides a systematic view of a phenomenon
c. The specific and measurable premise or assumption based on which the rationale
for research direction is established
d. A researcher’s “best guess” of the expected direction of the relationship between
independent and dependent variables
ANS: B
Feedback
A. The worldview of a researcher does not define theory.
B. Theory is defined as a set of interrelated concepts that provides a systematic view
of a phenomenon.
C. Measurable assumptions could be considered propositions that are associated
with a theory.
D. The researcher’s best guess as to the direction of a relationship is called a
hypothesis.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. During a class examination, the course instructor notes that a student who usually does
poorly in class tests has shaking hands, knocks over a bottle of water, breaks the points of
two pencils, makes many erasures, and wrinkles her computer score sheet. The instructor
concludes that the student has test anxiety. What type of reasoning is demonstrated by the
instructor?
a. Inductive reasoning
b. Deductive reasoning
c. Theoretical reasoning
, d. Faulty reasoning
ANS: A
Feedback
A. Inductive reasoning involves using the details of an experience to create a general
picture.
B. Deductive reasoning takes theory and moves to more specific details.
C. Theoretical reasoning is not a type of logical reasoning.
D. The instructor did not use faulty reasoning.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. What is the major difference between inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning?
a. Inductive reasoning is theory driven, and deductive reasoning is independent of
theory.
b. Deductive reasoning forms the basis for qualitative research, and inductive
reasoning forms the basis for quantitative research.
c. Deductive reasoning is an unconscious approach in which intuition, rather than
logical, is the key feature, whereas inductive reasoning encompasses a more
logical and systematic approach to problem identification.
d. Inductive reasoning starts with observed details that lead to a general structure or
picture, whereas deductive reasoning begins with a structure or picture that guides
the search for associated details.
ANS: D