Deck 5: Study Foundations: The Research Problem, Purpose, Sub-Problems, and Variables

Question 1

The independent variable in a study can be thought of as a(n)

A) confounding factor.
B) outcome of interest.
C) presumed causal factor.

Answer 1

presumed causal factor.

Question 2

Identify the dependent variable in the following research question: "Does gender of healthcare provider affect compliance with an antibiotic prescription among female patients with a STD?"

A) Female patients with a STD.
B) Gender of provider.
C) Medication compliance.

Answer 2

Medication compliance.

Question 3

Which of the following types of studies would be conducted to examine relationships between variables?

A) Bivariate.
B) Univariate.
C) Nonvariate.

Answer 3

Bivariate.

Question 4

Two researchers studied whether participation in a three-month yoga program would result in improvements in nursing home residents' balance and reduce their risk of falls. This study reflects examination of what kind of relationship?

A) Associative.
B) Causal.
C) Predictive.

Question 5

The statement "higher income is associated with greater self-esteem" is an example of what type of relationship?

A) Associative.
B) Causal.
C) Predictive.

Question 6

The nature of the relationship of the variables has implications on which of the following decisions?

A) Data analysis.
B) Participant selection.
C) Survey design.

Question 7

Which of the following statements is an example of a positive causal relationship?

A) Participation in sports increases self-esteem.
B) Self-esteem is affected by participation in sports.
C) There is a relationship between sports participation and self-esteem.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is an example of a positive functional relationship?

A) An increase in self-esteem is associated with lower levels of anxiety.
B) Anxiety is related to age.
C) Older first-time parents experience more stress.

Question 9

The primary focus of research control is

A) dependent variables.
B) extraneous variables.
C) independent variables.

Question 10

An extraneous variable categorized as an intrinsic factor might be

A) inconsistent data collection.
B) participant age.
C) researcher gender.

Question 11

Which of the following types of variables is often referred to as a linker in a causal relationship?

A) Covariate.
B) Demographic.
C) Mediating.

Question 12

The operational definition of a variable reflects

A) how the variable will be measured.
B) the presumed direction of the variable's influence.
C) the theoretical meaning of the variable.

Question 13

Identify the type of definition that is represented by the following statement: "Level of agreement with statements such as, 'I could not stop the thoughts that kept racing through my mind'."

A) Conceptual.
B) Operational.
C) Translational.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is an example of an operational definition?

A) Pain is defined as a subjective experience of discomfort.
B) Pain is differentiated as aching, burning, dull, sharp, or throbbing.
C) Pain intensity is reflected by a score of 100 mm on a visual analog scale.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is an example of a conceptual definition?

A) Pain is defined as a subjective experience of discomfort.
B) Pain is differentiated as aching, burning, dull, sharp, or throbbing.
C) Pain intensity is reflected by a score of 100 mm on a visual analog scale.

Question 16

A research problem can be thought of as a(n)

A) broad area of interest.
B) evolution from clinical experience.
C) situation in need of solution.

Question 17

"Rape victims usually do not seek treatment" is

A) a directional hypothesis.
B) a non-directional hypothesis.
C) not a hypothesis as stated.

Question 18

"Widows with a strong social support network during bereavement have fewer somatic complaints than those who lack a strong network" is

A) a directional hypothesis.
B) a non-directional hypothesis.
C) not a hypothesis as stated.

Question 19

"Psychiatric patients' adherence to social rules is related to their violent tendencies" is

A) a directional hypothesis.
B) a non-directional hypothesis.
C) not a hypothesis as stated.

Question 20

"Among women undergoing treatment for advanced cervical cancer, quality of life will be affected by self-esteem, social support, and anger suppression." This statement is an example of what type of hypothesis?

A) Causal.
B) Directional.
C) Multivariate.

Question 21

The "opposite" of a research hypothesis is the

A) alternative hypothesis.
B) null hypothesis.
C) statistical hypothesis.

Question 22

Research sub-problems are often stated as which of the following in a research report?

A) Conceptual definition.
B) Extraneous variables.
C) Hypotheses or questions.

Question 23

A responsibility for a nurse research consumer with regard to a study's foundational elements would be

A) critically appraise the IRB submission.
B) identify problematic issues in practice.
C) pursue grant funding for studies.

Question 24

When critically appraising a research study, the nurse consumer would look for which of the following?

A) Clarity, coherence, congruence, and significance.
B) Population of interest and significance of the study.
C) Researchability, feasibility, and significance.