Research and Evidence: Master the Basics for Nursing Students

Question 1

Which of the following is a core principle of research ethics?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining informed consent from participants is generally considered essential.

Answer

Ensuring the anonymity of participants is a top priority in all research projects.

Answer

Researchers should always use the most advanced research methods available.

Question 2

What is the key difference between a hypothesis and a theory in scientific research?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a specific and testable prediction, while a theory is a general and well-substantiated explanation.

Answer

A theory is a specific and testable prediction, while a hypothesis is a general and well-substantiated explanation.

Answer

A hypothesis and a theory are essentially the same concept.

Answer

There is no difference between a hypothesis and a theory.

Question 3

Which of the following databases is considered a valuable resource for finding nursing research articles?

Accepted Answer

Both PubMed and CINAHL

Answer

PubMed

Answer

CINAHL

Answer

JSTOR

Question 4

What is the initial and most important step in conducting a comprehensive literature review?

Accepted Answer

Identify a focused research question

Answer

Search for relevant sources

Answer

Analyze the findings

Answer

Write a systematic review

Question 5

Which ethical principle emphasizes the protection of participants' privacy and confidentiality in research?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Question 6

In quantitative research, what is the main purpose of descriptive statistics?

Accepted Answer

To describe and summarize the features of a dataset

Answer

To make inferences about a population from sample data

Answer

To test hypotheses about relationships between variables

Answer

To determine the minimum sample size for a study

Question 7

Which step is crucial in initiating a research project?

Accepted Answer

Formulating a specific research question

Answer

Collecting relevant data

Answer

Analyzing the gathered data

Answer

Drawing conclusions from the findings

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a peer-reviewed scholarly article?

Accepted Answer

Authorship by a single individual

Answer

Expert evaluation by multiple reviewers

Answer

Publication in a reputable academic journal

Answer

Grounding in empirical evidence

Question 9

What research method is often used to determine how well educational programs work?

Accepted Answer

Experimental

Answer

Historical

Answer

Correlational

Answer

Qualitative

Question 10

In evidence-based nursing practice, which source provides the most reliable evidence?

Accepted Answer

Peer-reviewed journal articles

Answer

Personal experiences shared in online forums

Answer

Information found in textbooks

Answer

Unpublished anecdotal evidence

Question 11

Which referencing style is commonly utilized in nursing research publications?

Accepted Answer

APA

Answer

MLA

Answer

Chicago

Answer

Harvard

Question 12

In quantitative research, which research design is commonly employed?

Accepted Answer

Experimental design

Answer

Ethnographic design

Answer

Historical design

Answer

Grounded theory design

Question 13

What is the definition of a systematic review in research?

Accepted Answer

A comprehensive analysis of existing literature on a specific topic

Answer

A primary research study using quantitative data collection methods

Answer

A qualitative study exploring experiences and perspectives of individuals

Answer

A meta-analysis that combines results from multiple research studies

Question 14

Which option does NOT represent a potential benefit of incorporating research into nursing practice?

Accepted Answer

Reducing administrative costs and streamlining processes

Answer

Improving patient outcomes through evidence-based interventions

Answer

Enhancing decision-making processes by providing data-driven insights

Answer

Promoting innovation in nursing care approaches

Question 15

Which of the following is the primary step in the research process?

Accepted Answer

Designing the research question

Answer

Collecting data

Answer

Drawing conclusions

Answer

Publishing the results

Question 16

What is the main purpose of conducting a literature review?

Accepted Answer

To identify existing knowledge on a specific topic

Answer

To develop a new theory

Answer

To test a hypothesis

Answer

To gather qualitative data

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a recognized citation style?

Accepted Answer

Wikipedia style

Answer

American Psychological Association (APA)

Answer

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Answer

Oxford Referencing

Question 18

Differentiate between primary and secondary sources:

Accepted Answer

Primary sources provide firsthand accounts, while secondary sources provide interpretations of these accounts.

Answer

Primary sources are written after an event, while secondary sources are written during the event.

Answer

Primary sources are inherently more reliable than secondary sources.

Answer

Primary and secondary sources have no fundamental distinction.

Question 19

In qualitative research, how significant is the researcher's subjective interpretation?

Accepted Answer

Substantial

Answer

Minimal

Answer

Insignificant

Answer

Variable

Question 20

What is the purpose of operationalizing a concept in research?

Accepted Answer

To make a concept measurable

Answer

To refine the definition of a concept

Answer

To develop a hypothesis

Answer

To choose a research method

Question 21

Which limitation is commonly associated with quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

Inability to capture complex phenomena

Answer

Lack of generalizability

Answer

Potential for bias

Answer

High financial cost

Question 22

Which of the following characteristics defines scholarly research?

Accepted Answer

Peer-reviewed

Answer

Written for a general audience

Answer

Conversational in tone

Answer

Summarizes popular news articles

Question 23

Which format is used to cite a journal article according to APA style guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Author, Year, Title. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Pages.

Answer

Title, Journal Name, Author, Year, Pages.

Answer

Year, Author, Title, Journal Name, Volume.

Answer

Pages, Author, Title, Journal Name, Year.

Question 24

What is the fundamental difference between quantitative and qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative uses numerical data, while qualitative uses non-numerical data.

Answer

Qualitative uses numerical data, while quantitative uses non-numerical data.

Answer

Quantitative is more scientific than qualitative.

Answer

Qualitative is more scientific than quantitative.

Question 25

What is the main function of a research proposal?

Accepted Answer

Outline the research plan and demonstrate its significance

Answer

Present conclusive research findings

Answer

Summarize the literature review

Answer

Discuss the potential limitations of the research

Question 26

What is the primary responsibility of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

Accepted Answer

Review and approve research involving human participants

Answer

Conduct the research themselves

Answer

Provide funding for research projects

Answer

Disseminate research findings

Question 27

In nursing practice, which element is paramount when evaluating the reliability of a research article?

Accepted Answer

Research design and methodology

Answer

Author's reputation

Answer

Number of citations

Answer

Journal of publication

Question 28

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a scholarly research article?

Accepted Answer

Written in a conversational style

Answer

Peer-reviewed

Answer

Original research

Answer

Meets scholarly writing conventions

Question 29

What is the primary purpose of an abstract in a research article?

Accepted Answer

To summarize the main findings of the study

Answer

To provide background information on the topic

Answer

To justify the research question

Answer

To present the author's opinion on the research topic

Question 30

Which citation style is most commonly used in nursing?

Accepted Answer

American Psychological Association (APA)

Answer

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Answer

Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS)

Question 31

What is the key difference between quantitative and qualitative research studies?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative studies use numerical data while qualitative studies use non-numerical data.

Answer

Qualitative studies use deductive reasoning while quantitative studies use inductive reasoning.

Answer

Quantitative studies are more subjective than qualitative studies.

Question 32

Which of the following is an example of a primary source in historical research?

Accepted Answer

Historical document

Answer

Textbook chapter

Answer

Encyclopedia article

Question 33

What is the most precise definition of plagiarism?

Accepted Answer

The act of copying someone else's work and claiming it as your own

Answer

The act of citing sources but not understanding the material

Answer

The act of paraphrasing someone else's work without giving credit

Question 34

What is a key strength AND a key limitation of using a mixed methods design in nursing research?

Accepted Answer

Strength: Offers a broader understanding by combining numbers and experiences.

Accepted Answer

Limitation: Can be more difficult and take longer than using one method.

Answer

Strength: Makes findings applicable to more people.

Answer

Limitation: Only useful for large research projects.

Question 35

Identify the characteristic that is NOT typically associated with scholarly journal articles:

Accepted Answer

It is published in a popular magazine.

Answer

It has undergone rigorous peer review prior to publication.

Answer

It is authored by experts or specialists in the field of study.

Answer

It presents original research findings.

Question 36

When utilizing APA citation style, the correct placement of the author's last name and the year of publication is:

Accepted Answer

Within parentheses in the text.

Answer

In the title of the paper being referenced.

Answer

In a footnote at the bottom of the page.

Answer

In a reference list at the document's conclusion.

Question 37

Select the primary advantage of incorporating research into nursing practice:

Accepted Answer

It enables evidence-based decision-making in patient care.

Answer

It saves time and effort for healthcare professionals.

Answer

It reduces the likelihood of errors in clinical judgment.

Question 38

In the context of research, it is crucial to:

Accepted Answer

Acknowledge and mitigate potential biases.

Answer

Consider the opinions of fellow researchers.

Answer

Secure ample funding for the project.

Answer

Stay abreast of current trends in the field.

Question 39

Which of the following concepts is fundamental to qualitative research methodology?

Accepted Answer

Subjective interpretation of data.

Answer

Emphasis on scientific objectivity.

Answer

Generalizability of results to larger populations.

Answer

Rigorous replication of findings.

Question 40

When critically evaluating a research study, it is imperative to examine:

Accepted Answer

The methodology employed.

Answer

The outcomes of similar studies.

Answer

The reputation of the lead researcher.

Question 41

Which of the following constitutes a form of plagiarism?

Accepted Answer

Directly copying someone else's work without proper attribution.

Answer

Citing sources correctly.

Answer

Summarizing another's ideas in your own words.

Answer

Rephrasing someone else's ideas while giving credit.

Question 42

When utilizing online sources for research, it is important to evaluate:

Accepted Answer

The website's credibility and trustworthiness.

Answer

Assuming all information found online is accurate.

Answer

Limiting your search to websites with specific extensions like .edu or .org.

Answer

Solely relying on the most recently published website.

Question 43

Identify the initial step in the research process:

Accepted Answer

Formulating a well-defined research question.

Answer

Disseminating the research findings.

Answer

Gathering data for analysis.

Answer

Composing the final research paper.

Question 44

In conducting research, it is imperative to:

Accepted Answer

Maintain impartiality and objectivity.

Answer

Fabricate data to support your claims.

Answer

Allow personal biases to influence the interpretation of findings.

Answer

Disregard evidence that conflicts with your preconceived notions.

Question 45

What is the primary goal of conducting a literature review?

Accepted Answer

To synthesize existing research on a topic and identify gaps in knowledge.

Answer

To gather original data that can be used to test a hypothesis.

Answer

To present personal opinions and perspectives on a topic.

Answer

To prove or disprove a particular claim or theory.

Question 46

Which research approach is best suited for exploring complex phenomena and gaining an in-depth understanding of human experiences?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research

Answer

Quantitative research

Answer

Action research

Answer

Mixed methods research

Question 47

What is the key difference between quantitative and qualitative data?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative data is numerical and can be analyzed statistically, while qualitative data is descriptive and typically involves words or images.

Answer

Quantitative data is collected through experiments, while qualitative data is collected through surveys.

Answer

Quantitative data is objective, while qualitative data is subjective.

Question 48

Which type of research review involves a rigorous and systematic analysis of multiple studies on a specific topic?

Accepted Answer

Systematic review

Answer

Meta-analysis

Answer

Literature overview

Question 49

What is the ethical responsibility of researchers when conducting research with human participants?

Accepted Answer

To ensure informed consent, maintain confidentiality, and minimize any potential harm or discomfort.

Answer

To publish only studies with statistically significant results.

Answer

To prioritize the researcher's interests over the well-being of participants.

Question 50

Which of the following is an example of a sampling bias?

Accepted Answer

A sample that is not representative of the population being studied.

Answer

A sample that is too large.

Answer

A sample that is collected using a random selection method.

Question 51

What is the main purpose of a research question?

Accepted Answer

To clearly define the specific issue or problem that the research aims to investigate.

Answer

To present the researcher's personal beliefs or opinions.

Answer

To provide a comprehensive summary of the existing literature.

Question 52

Which strategy is most effective for evaluating the credibility of online sources?

Accepted Answer

Critically examining the author's credentials, affiliations, and potential biases.

Answer

Trusting any source that has a professional-looking website.

Answer

Relying solely on information from search engine results.