Question 1

The nurse researcher opts to use probability sampling in a research study.What is considered to be the primary characteristic of a probability sample?
A) Self-selection of subjects
B) Random selection of the sample
C) Subjects handpicked by the researcher
D) Representation of proportional segments of the population

Accepted Answer

Correct B: The primary characteristic of a probability sample is random selection.
Incorrect A: Self-selection of subjects would be antithetical to probability sampling.
Incorrect C: Subjects being handpicked by a researcher represents a purposive sample,which is not a form of probability sampling.
Incorrect D: Proportional segment representation can be found in quota sampling,which is a form of nonprobability sampling.

Question 2

What would be an appropriate rationale for a nurse researcher to exclude subjects who have diabetes mellitus,are older than age 60 years,or who are HIV positive from a descriptive study examining the characteristics of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy?
A) Mortality as a threat to validity is increased when including subjects with multiple health problems.
B) The exclusion conditions are also associated with the development of peripheral neuropathy.
C) The researcher has limited resources to conduct the study.
D) The researcher has all of the exclusion characteristics.

Accepted Answer

Correct B: The specified exclusion criteria also are associated with peripheral neuropathy and would compete with the study's purpose.
Incorrect A: Mortality of subjects is an important issue,but it would not interfere with data analysis like the listed medical diagnoses.
Incorrect C: Resource limitation would not and should not affect appropriate exclusion criteria.
Incorrect D: The researcher's characteristics should not affect exclusion or inclusion criteria.

Question 3

Why would a nurse researcher opt to use a stratified sample in a research study?
A) The sample population is divided into subsets that are homogeneous for a particular trait or feature.
B) The sample population is divided into subsets for random assignment into an intervention or a usual-care group.
C) The sample population is randomly assigned to a specific subgroup that will vary from the others on the basis of type of treatment.
D) The sample population is randomly assigned to a specific subgroup that will vary from the others on the basis of treatment duration.

Accepted Answer

Correct A: The major characteristic of a stratified sample is that selected subjects represent population subgroups that are homogeneous.
Incorrect B: A stratified sample would have representation in both the treatment and control groups.
Incorrect C: In a stratified sample,both treatment and control groups have representative groups.
Incorrect D: Stratified samples are not devised based on length of treatment but on proportions of subjects in the population.

Question 4

The nurse researcher is attempting to formulate the basis for eligibility criteria in sample selection.Which statement will be most accurate?
A) A sample of 1,000 practicing nurses in a selected state was surveyed.
B) The sample consisted of 267 white girls and 258 Hispanic girls who lived in urban areas in their respective countries.
C) The sample consisted of 40 men between the ages of 20 and 55 who were treated for burn injuries during the past decade at a specialized burn unit.
D) The sample consisted of 57 hospital nurse executives and 178 staff registered nurses employed in a Midwestern state.

Accepted Answer

Correct C: Sample descriptors should explicitly describe the population criteria for inclusion (eligibility): this sample descriptor has four specified criteria.
Incorrect A: The description includes only practicing nurses and selected state.
Incorrect B: The description includes only gender,ethnicity,and urban-dweller setting.
Incorrect D: The description includes nurse executives or nurses of a Midwestern state.

Question 5

Why would a nurse researcher hesitate to use nonprobability sampling?
A) Reduced or limited generalizability
B) Informed consent must be obtained
C) Large, unmanageable sample sizes
D) Sample sizes are too small for most methods of statistical analysis

Accepted Answer

Correct A: Nonprobability sampling reduces or limits generalizability.
Incorrect B: Informed consent is used for all studies despite choice of sample used.
Incorrect C: Nonprobability sampling does not mandate large unmanageable sample sizes.
Incorrect D: Nonprobability sampling does not mandate a small sample size.

Question 6

The nurse researcher opts to select into the treatment group every fourth college student who registers for a specific course.What type of sampling strategy does this represent?
A) Cluster sampling
B) Systematic sampling
C) Simple random sampling
D) Stratified random sampling

Accepted Answer

Correct B: Systematic sampling involves selection of every Kth case (in this instance,every fourth).
Incorrect A: Cluster sampling involves sampling selected segments or settings of a population (e.g.,all urban hospitals).
Incorrect C: Simple random sampling meAnswer that all members of the population have an equal chance of selection and does not involve selection by placement.
Incorrect D: Stratified random sampling involves selecting proportional segments of the sample representing the population using random selection.

Question 7

How can a nurse researcher tell the difference in an accessible population and a target population?
A) The accessible population meets the inclusion criteria, and the target population meets the exclusion criteria.
B) The target population meets the inclusion criteria, and the accessible population meets the exclusion criteria.
C) The accessible population represents the entire set of cases the researcher wishes to study, and the target population represents that part of the accessible population that could feasibly be included in the study.
D) The target population represents the entire set of cases the researcher wishes to study, and the accessible population represents that part of the target population that could feasibly be included in the study.

Accepted Answer

Correct D: The target population is the entire set of cases the researcher wants to study; the accessible population meets population criteria and is available for study.
Incorrect A: Inclusion and exclusion criteria refer to subject characteristics,not components of the population.
Incorrect B: Inclusion and exclusion criteria refer to desirable and undesirable subject characteristics.
Incorrect C: The target population is the entire set of cases to be studied; the accessible population is the part of the population that can be studied.

Question 8

Which statement about systematic sampling is most accurate?
A) It reduces researcher bias.
B) It eliminates the need for a control group.
C) It can be used for nonprobability sampling.
D) It represents the sampling method with the most rigid eligibility criteria.

Accepted Answer

Correct C: Systematic sampling can be used for both nonprobability and probability sampling.
Incorrect A: Systematic sampling does not necessarily reduce researcher bias.
Incorrect B: Systematic sampling does not eliminate the need for a control group.
Incorrect D: Systematic sampling is not associated with the most rigid eligibility criteria.

Question 9

Which type of sampling is most at risk for sample bias?
A) Quota
B) Random
C) Purposive
D) Convenience

Accepted Answer

Correct D: Convenience sampling is at most risk for sample bias.
Incorrect A: Quota sampling,if done appropriately,will not create sample bias.
Incorrect B: Random sampling should act to counteract sample bias.
Incorrect C: Purposive sampling would selectively include research subjects and avoid sampling bias.

Question 10

The nurse researcher is developing inclusion and exclusion criteria.Which statement is most accurate?
A) These criteria are not needed when the population being studied is composed of events.
B) These criteria serve to ensure that the characteristics of the sample and the population are congruent.
C) Inclusion criteria are used to define the independent variables, and exclusion criteria are used to define dependent variables.
D) Inclusion criteria are used to define the dependent variables, and exclusion criteria are used to define independent variables.

Accepted Answer

Correct B: Inclusion and exclusion criteria are designed to keep the population and sample characteristics congruent.
Incorrect A: Inclusion and exclusion criteria are always needed in some form.
Incorrect C: Inclusion and exclusion criteria refer to sample subjects rather than to independent or dependent variables.
Incorrect D: Inclusion and exclusion criteria refer to sample subjects rather than independent or dependent variables.

Question 11

What tool can a nurse researcher use to restrict the study population to homogeneous groups of subjects?
A) Sampling
B) Self-selection
C) Eligibility criteria
D) Defining study limitations

Accepted Answer

Correct C: Eligibility criteria restrict or control the homogeneity of subjects in relation to the population.
Incorrect A: Sampling does not mandate restricting the population to a homogeneous group of subjects.
Incorrect B: Self-selection would not restrict subjects to a homogeneous group.
Incorrect D: Specifying study limitations would not restrict subjects to homogeneity.

Question 12

The nurse researcher is designing a research study.What is considered the process of selecting representative units of a population for study in a research investigation?
A) Sampling
B) Snowballing
C) Delimination
D) Random assignment

Accepted Answer

Correct A: Sampling is the process of selecting representative units of a population for a research study.
Incorrect B: Snowballing is a sampling technique using social networks.
Incorrect C: Delimination is the specification of sample characteristics.
Incorrect D: Random assignment is the process of assigning subjects to groups.

Question 13

How can a nurse researcher know whether a factor or condition of a sample meets the criterion for representativeness?
A) The sample is drawn randomly from the general population without the use of specific criteria.
B) The characteristics of the sample closely resemble the characteristics of the larger target population.
C) The sample includes the same percentage of men, women, and members of different ethnic groups as the general population.
D) The subjects selected for the sample have agreed to express the specific opinions or beliefs representative of their ethnic or cultural group.

Accepted Answer

Correct B: A sample is representative when its characteristics closely resemble those of the population.
Incorrect A: Representativeness is based directly on the use of specific criteria.
Incorrect C: These factors are not as critical as matching closely the characteristics of the population.
Incorrect D: Subjects' agreement with population attitudes or beliefs is not representativeness.

Question 14

In a study to determine whether placement on a water pillow affects head shape in preterm infants,the first 50 preterm infants admitted to a newborn intensive care unit during a specific year were assigned to either a usual-care group or a treatment group placed on water pillows.What type of sampling strategy is represented by this research plan?
A) Quota
B) Random
C) Purposive
D) Stratified

Accepted Answer

Correct C: In purposive sampling,the researcher handpicks cases based on the researcher's knowledge of the population (preterm infants).
Incorrect A: Quota sampling ensures proportional segments in the sample that mirror the population,but random sampling is not used.
Incorrect B: Random sampling ensures that all subjects have an equal chance of selection.
Incorrect D: Stratified sampling is similar to quota sampling except that random sampling is used.

Question 15

How can the nurse researcher know that a sample is representative of a population?
A) The sample is homogeneous.
B) All units of a population are included.
C) The most readily accessible persons are used as subjects.
D) The characteristics of the sample closely approximate those of the population.

Accepted Answer

Correct D: The foremost criterion in evaluating a sample is its representativeness.
Incorrect A: A homogeneous sample is not the ultimate criterion for evaluating a sample.
Incorrect B: Population elements or unit inclusion is important but not the ultimate criterion.
Incorrect C: Ready subject accessibility does not constitute the most important evaluative criteria.

Question 16

Why should a nurse researcher attempt to clearly specify exclusion criteria for a study sample?
A) To limit the time needed to complete the study
B) To reduce the effect of extraneous variables on the accurate evaluation of the outcome variable
C) To eliminate the outside influences and inferences regarding the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention
D) To ensure that an adequate sample size is accrued to meet assumptions for accurate statistical analysis

Accepted Answer

Correct B: Exclusion criteria are designed to control sample characteristics and thereby reduce the potential effect of extraneous variables on the outcome variable.
Incorrect A: Exclusion criteria do not directly affect how long a study takes.
Incorrect C: Exclusion criteria delimit the sample but do not fully act as controls for the intervention.
Incorrect D: Sample size is not determined by exclusion criteria.

Question 17

The recruitment goal for subjects in a research study is set at 1,000 participants aged 20 to 30,600 participants aged 31 to 40,and 200 participants aged 41 to 50.What type of sampling strategy is represented by this research plan?
A) Quota
B) Random
C) Purposive
D) Convenience

Accepted Answer

Correct A: In quota sampling,the researcher ensures that proportional segments of the population age are included in the sample.
Incorrect B: Random sampling would not ensure that specified proportions of population were included in the sample.
Incorrect C: Purposive sampling ensures included subjects' characteristics but not that proportional segments are included.
Incorrect D: Convenience sampling includes easily available research subjects,not proportional segments of subjects.

Question 18

How should a nurse researcher expect a sample to differ from a population?
A) A sample can mean objects or events, whereas population refers to individuals or groups of people.
B) A population has a broad set of defining characteristics, and a sample has a narrow set of defining characteristics.
C) A population is a representative segment of a defined sample.
D) A sample is a representative segment of a defined population.

Accepted Answer

Correct D: A sample is a set of elements or segments of a specified population.
Incorrect A: A population refers to a well-defined set of people,animals,objects,or events.
Incorrect B: A sample is the group of research subjects representing the population.
Incorrect C: A sample is a representative segment of the population.

Question 19

Why should a nurse researcher be concerned about establishing clear eligibility criteria for inclusion in a study sample?
A) To increase the homogeneity of the sample
B) To decrease the homogeneity of the sample
C) To increase the size of the sample
D) To decrease the size of the sample

Accepted Answer

Correct A: Clear eligibility criteria are designed to increase the homogeneity of the sample.
Incorrect B: Clear eligibility would not hinder homogeneity but support it.
Incorrect C: Eligibility criteria do not directly increase or decrease sample size.
Incorrect D: Eligibility criteria do not directly increase or decrease sample size.

Question 20

A nurse researcher has made a generalization based on the experience of a small number of participants.What will be the outcome of this action?
A) The small sample will invalidate the hypotheses.
B) The researcher will be unable to eliminate his or her bias.
C) The data obtained from a small number will inadequately represent the phenomenon.
D) The small number of participants will increase the threat to internal validity influenced by history.

Accepted Answer

Correct C: A too small sample may inadequately represent the phenomenon and threaten valid conclusions.
Incorrect A: A small sample does not necessarily invalidate hypotheses.
Incorrect B: Researcher bias is not necessarily controlled by sample size,small or large.
Incorrect D: Small sample size does not necessarily increase historical threats to validity.

Quiz 10: Sampling

The nurse researcher opts to use probability sampling in a research study.What is considered to be the primary characteristic of a probability sample?

What would be an appropriate rationale for a nurse researcher to exclude subjects who have diabetes mellitus,are older than age 60 years,or who are HIV positive from a descriptive study examining the characteristics of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy?

Why would a nurse researcher opt to use a stratified sample in a research study?

The nurse researcher is attempting to formulate the basis for eligibility criteria in sample selection.Which statement will be most accurate?

Why would a nurse researcher hesitate to use nonprobability sampling?

The nurse researcher opts to select into the treatment group every fourth college student who registers for a specific course.What type of sampling strategy does this represent?

How can a nurse researcher tell the difference in an accessible population and a target population?

Which statement about systematic sampling is most accurate?

Which type of sampling is most at risk for sample bias?

The nurse researcher is developing inclusion and exclusion criteria.Which statement is most accurate?

What tool can a nurse researcher use to restrict the study population to homogeneous groups of subjects?

The nurse researcher is designing a research study.What is considered the process of selecting representative units of a population for study in a research investigation?

How can a nurse researcher know whether a factor or condition of a sample meets the criterion for representativeness?

How can the nurse researcher know that a sample is representative of a population?

Why should a nurse researcher attempt to clearly specify exclusion criteria for a study sample?

The recruitment goal for subjects in a research study is set at 1,000 participants aged 20 to 30,600 participants aged 31 to 40,and 200 participants aged 41 to 50.What type of sampling strategy is represented by this research plan?

How should a nurse researcher expect a sample to differ from a population?

Why should a nurse researcher be concerned about establishing clear eligibility criteria for inclusion in a study sample?

A nurse researcher has made a generalization based on the experience of a small number of participants.What will be the outcome of this action?