LoBiondo-Wood: Nursing Research in Canada, 4th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A nurse researcher should be included in the results section of a research report?
a. A list of the cited literature
b. Interpretation of the data
c. Objective presentation of the research design
d. Recommendations for future research
ANS: B
Feedback
A. Instruments are referred to in the “Methods” section.
B. The “Results” section of a research report is considered to be the data-bound
section of the report.
C. Research design belongs in the “Methods” section.
D. Theory is frequently referred to in the “Literature Review” section.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. What conclusion should be drawn when the research hypothesis is not supported by the
findings of a study?
a. The theoretical framework is invalid.
, b. The study findings have no relevance.
c. The researcher should have used a different statistical test.
d. The study has one or more problems that restrict adequate investigation of the
phenomenon.
ANS: D
Feedback
A. The theoretical framework may be valid, but the study design, sampling, or data
may have contributed to the findings.
B. The study is still important; information even from unsupported studies can often
be useful.
C. Statistical study results do not prove hypotheses; hypotheses that are not
supported by statistical tests can still provide useful information.
D. There may be some problems with the study, but the findings may still be
important, especially for identifying limitations in the design and process.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. How should these statements be interpreted?
(1) “There is a positive relationship between the degree of social support
available to new mothers and maternal attachment scores.”
(2) “The Pearson correlation coefficient was r = 0.79, p < 0.05.”
a. The hypothesis was proven.
b. The hypothesis was supported.
c. The result was clinically significant but not statistically significant.
d. The statistical analysis indicates that the positive correlation was a chance event.
, ANS: B
Feedback
A. The findings suggest a strong relationship, but they do not prove the hypothesis.
B. The findings do provide solid support for the hypothesis.
C. No, the correlation is statistically significant.
D. The alpha level of p < 0.05 supports a true positive correlation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. What is the primary role of figures and tables in a research report?
a. To substantiate the researcher’s conclusions
b. To develop a framework for future research in the area
c. To clarify which variable was treated as an independent variable
d. To facilitate the presentation of large amounts of data
ANS: D
Feedback
A. Tables and figures supplement the findings by presenting them in a clear manner,
but they do not substantiate the conclusions.
B. Tables and figures present study data but do not provide future-oriented
frameworks.
C. Tables and figures may well clarify the variables within a study, but this is not
their primary role.
D. Tables and figures supplement data by clearly presenting the findings in tabular
and illustrative forms.
, DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. What critical behaviour should investigators demonstrate when presenting their results?
a. Researcher bias
b. Appropriateness
c. Objectivity
d. Inference
ANS: C
Feedback
A. Researchers must present results with no bias.
B. This is a nonspecific answer.
C. Researchers must present results with objectivity.
D. Inference is used when interpreting inferential statistical results.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
MSC: NCLEX Client Care Needs Category: Safe and Effective Care Environment;
Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. Researchers and reviewers should accept statistical significance with
a. the belief that statistically significant results are the final word.
b. cautious regard for how results might apply to practice.
c. the view that careful appraisal is needed to apply results to theory.
d. the idea that additional testing is not necessary.