Question 1

A researcher wishes to examine the experiences and feelings of siblings of children who have cancer in order to gain information about this population.Which type of qualitative study method will the researcher use?
A) Ethnographic
B) Exploratory-descriptive
C) Grounded theory
D) Historical

Accepted Answer

The researcher is aiming to gather information from a specific population (siblings of children with cancer) and wants to gain a better understanding of their experiences and feelings. An exploratory-descriptive study method is best suited for this purpose, as it allows the researcher to explore and describe the experiences of a particular group in greater detail. Ethnographic research would be centered on studying the culture of a particular group, and grounded theory research involves developing a theory based on data collected through interviews or observations. Historical research, as the name suggests, is focused on studying past events and phenomena.

Question 2

Which qualitative study will call for an exploratory-descriptive study approach?
A) An evaluation of clinical outcomes of standard nursing interventions
B) An examination of the effects of a treatment on various ethnic groups
C) A review of data in order to evaluate theoretical constructs
D) A study on a topic about which little is known or understood

Accepted Answer

An exploratory-descriptive study approach is often used when little is known or understood about a particular topic. Therefore, a study on a topic about which little is known or understood would benefit from this approach. The other options may benefit from other types of qualitative research approaches.

Question 3

The goal of grounded theory research is to:
A) develop theories and hypotheses based on research findings.
B) establish an ethnographic perspective on subjects.
C) provide validity checks for constructs.
D) test theoretical constructs and hypotheses.

Accepted Answer

Grounded theory research aims to develop theories and hypotheses based on research findings. It involves generating concepts and categories from the data and constantly comparing and revising these concepts to develop a theory that is grounded in the data.

Question 4

A researcher conducts a qualitative study and learns that individuals have a variety of reactions to an event.What can the researcher conclude from this finding?
A) The findings are interesting, but are not useful for theory development.
B) The reactions described in this study may be generalized to a larger population.
C) The study has little significance since there is no well-defined single outcome.
D) The variety of reactions is expected since perception varies with individuals.

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research is often used to explore individual experiences, and it is expected that people may have different reactions to an event based on their individual perceptions and experiences. This finding is valuable in understanding the complexity of human experience and can inform future research or program development. Option A is not accurate as qualitative research can contribute to theory-building. Option B is not accurate as qualitative research findings are not typically generalized to a larger population. Option C is not accurate as the study's significance is not related to having a single, well-defined outcome.

Question 5

When performing an external criticism of the documents used in historical research,the reviewer must determine whether the documents are:
A) genuine or fraudulent.
B) interesting or dull.
C) well known or obscure.
D) written by authors who are still living.

Accepted Answer

When performing an external criticism of documents used in historical research, one of the most important tasks is to determine whether the documents are genuine or fraudulent. The accuracy and reliability of historical information depends on the authenticity of the sources used.

Question 6

What role does qualitative research play in evidence-based practice (EBP)?
A) Because it does not involve random-controlled trials (RCTs), it does not contribute directly to EBP.
B) It offers a systematic approach for yielding insights into human experience and behavior.
C) It provides a way to measure and evaluate quality outcomes that affect patient care.
D) It provides the basis for most EBP guidelines and patient care protocols.

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research plays a critical role in EBP by providing a systematic approach for yielding insights into human experience and behavior. Qualitative research studies offer rich descriptions and in-depth analysis of experiences, beliefs, and attitudes about health conditions and interventions, which are important for understanding patient perspectives and improving patient-centered care. While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard for establishing cause-and-effect relationships between interventions and outcomes, qualitative research contributes valuable information that can be used to inform and contextualize findings from RCTs, and to identify areas for further investigation.

Question 7

What is a key element of hermeneutics in research?
A) Analysis of documents and interviews to identify themes and subthemes in data
B) Bracketing of the researcher's own perceptions for the duration of the study
C) Description of phenomena without interpretation by the researcher
D) Focusing solely on phenomena themselves without consideration of biases

Accepted Answer

Hermeneutics is a type of interpretive phenomenological research method that involves textual analysis and identification of themes and subthemes present in interviews and published documents considering the study's research questions.Husserl suggested that the researcher must bracket personal biases to examine the research data.Husserl differs from Heidegger in this regard.Heidegger argued that it is impossible to set aside beliefs and biases.Heidegger's approach is interpretive and is part of hermeneutics.Heidegger believed that researchers cannot set aside their biases.

Question 8

When conducting historical research about the experiences of women refugees from the Sudan,the researcher interviews women who served as nurses among this population.These nurses represent:
A) control group subjects.
B) experimental group subjects.
C) primary data sources.
D) secondary data sources.

Accepted Answer

A secondary data source can be a person who lived at the same time or who had contact with the subjects of the study.Nurses who cared for Sudanese woman immigrants would be secondary sources for this population.Control and experimental group subjects are used in experimental,quantitative,and not in qualitative studies.Primary data sources are those gathered directly from the study subjects and can either be from direct interviews or from diaries or other documents written by the subjects.

Question 9

A researcher identifies a socioeconomic group of people to study.After developing a rapport with key members of the group,getting information about group members from the key members,and spending time working among group members,the researcher develops theories about the group based on this experience.Which type of qualitative research does this represent?
A) Ethnographic
B) Grounded theory
C) Historical
D) Phenomenological

Accepted Answer

Ethnographic research involves immersing oneself in a particular cultural or social group in order to study their behaviors, beliefs, and practices. This process often includes developing relationships with group members and using these relationships to gain insight into the group being studied. The researcher in this scenario has developed a rapport with key members of the socioeconomic group and has spent time working among the group members, which are characteristics of ethnographic research. Grounded theory research involves developing theories about a particular phenomenon based on data collected from participants, while historical research involves examining past events and their significance. Phenomenological research involves examining subjective experiences of individuals.

Question 10

What is true about scientific rigor in qualitative nursing research?
A) Studies are rigorous only when results are quantifiable.
B) Study findings are considered trustworthy when rigor is applied.
C) Scientific rigor is not applicable with qualitative studies.
D) Scientific rigor is only used with random-controlled trials.

Accepted Answer

Qualitative nursing research can still maintain scientific rigor through the use of an appropriate methodology, data analysis, and rigorous interpretation of findings. Rigor is important for ensuring trustworthiness and credibility of qualitative research findings.

Question 11

When designing a study,which has the greatest influence as a researcher decides which type of qualitative study design to use?
A) Funding and resources
B) Literature review
C) Population
D) Research question

Accepted Answer

The research question has the greatest influence because it determines the purpose and focus of the study. Depending on the nature and scope of the research question, a researcher may choose from various qualitative study designs such as case study, ethnography, grounded theory, or phenomenology. The other factors like funding, resources, literature review, and population may also affect the choice of study design but they are overshadowed by the central role of the research question in shaping the study.

Question 12

A researcher utilizes an emic approach in a research study in order to:
A) gather data about lived experiences of individuals.
B) trying to understand behaviors from within a culture.
C) examine individual human behavior according to personal biases.
D) use techniques such as bracketing and intuiting.

Accepted Answer

An emic approach focuses on understanding behaviors from within a culture, emphasizing the perspective of the subject being studied.

Question 13

A researcher conducts a study to examine the feelings of cancer patients at various points during their disease,including at diagnosis,when beginning chemotherapy,and during remission.Which type of study will the researcher use for this study?
A) Ethnographic
B) Grounded Theory
C) Historical
D) Phenomenological

Accepted Answer

Phenomenological study is the best choice for this study since it focuses on understanding the subjective experiences of individuals, in this case, the emotional experiences of cancer patients at different stages of their illness. Ethnographic and historical studies are not appropriate for this type of research, and although grounded theory could be used, it is not the most suitable choice for understanding the feelings and experiences of cancer patients specifically.

Question 14

Which is an example of an etic approach in an ethnographic study?
A) A longitudinal study examining individual immigrants' attitudes about health care
B) A study about African tribal women and their feelings about HIV prevention
C) A study comparing various ethnic groups' folk health practices
D) A study of differences between BSN- and AND-prepared nurses' attitudes about health care

Accepted Answer

A study comparing various ethnic groups' folk health practices is an example of an etic approach because it looks at health practices from an outsider perspective and compares them across different cultural groups, rather than focusing on the specific beliefs and practices of one particular group (which would be more of an emic approach).

Question 15

A researcher develops a study to examine various phenomena that contribute to theory development.This is an example of which type of research?
A) Ethnographic research
B) Grounded theory research
C) Historical research
D) Phenomenological research

Accepted Answer

The development of theory is the key focus of grounded theory research, which involves a systematic process of data collection and analysis to generate theories that are grounded in the data. The researcher in this scenario is specifically examining various phenomena that contribute to theory development, which aligns with the goals of grounded theory research.

Question 16

A researcher wishes to learn about the experiences that women have when breastfeeding their infants in the workplace.Which type of study design will the researcher employ?
A) Ethnographic
B) Exploratory-descriptive
C) Grounded theory
D) Historical

Accepted Answer

An exploratory-descriptive study design would be the best choice as it allows the researcher to explore and describe the experiences of women who breastfeed in the workplace. This study design would involve collecting data through surveys or interviews to gain insight into the issue of breastfeeding in the workplace. The other study designs listed (ethnographic, grounded theory, historical) would not be as appropriate for this particular research question.

Question 17

What is true about phenomena in qualitative research?
A) Human behavior is generally the result of the direct influence of independent variables.
B) Knowledge gained by qualitative research is concrete and derived from statistical data.
C) Multiple realities are possible based on meanings created by individuals and groups.
D) Time and context have very little influence on individual or group perspectives.

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research recognizes that individuals and groups create their own meanings and interpretations of the world around them, leading to the possibility of multiple realities. This is one of the central tenets of qualitative research. Choices A and D are not true, as human behavior is influenced by a variety of factors, and time and context can have a significant impact on perspectives. Choice B is also not true, as knowledge gained by qualitative research is typically not derived from statistical data.

Question 18

A researcher wishes to understand how inner-city Somali immigrants adapt health care practices into their experiences with the U.S.health care system.Which type of study approach will the researcher use?
A) Descriptive-qualitative
B) Ethnographic
C) Grounded theory
D) Phenomenological

Accepted Answer

An ethnographic study approach involves immersing oneself in the culture and daily practices of a specific group of people. This would be the best choice to understand how inner-city Somali immigrants adapt health care practices into their experiences with the U.S. health care system. It allows the researcher to observe and understand the values, beliefs, and practices of the Somali culture in relation to health care, and how they navigate the U.S. health care system.

Question 19

What is true about grounded theory research?
A) It is a method used to quantify theoretical constructs in theory development.
B) It is used to further research in areas where much concrete data is already known.
C) Study designs use a theoretical basis to develop the research questions.
D) Theory is developed from the data collected during the research.

Accepted Answer

Grounded theory research is a qualitative method in which theory is developed from the data collected during the research, rather than using preconceived theoretical constructs. It is often used to generate new theories or to understand how people perceive or experience certain phenomena. A grounded theory study may begin with a general research question, but the specifics of the research design emerge as the data are analyzed.

Question 20

A researcher who bases phenomenological research on Husserl's philosophy will:
A) incorporate personal biases into conclusions and discussion of the research.
B) interpret subjects' experiences according to the researcher's own biases.
C) place personal biases aside when considering and reporting research findings.
D) use personal biases to look for hidden meanings in research data.

Accepted Answer

Phenomenological research based on Husserl's philosophy aims to understand and describe the essence of individuals' experiences. Therefore, objectivity is crucial, and personal biases should be put aside when considering and reporting research findings.

Quiz 3: Introduction to the Qualitative Research

A researcher wishes to examine the experiences and feelings of siblings of children who have cancer in order to gain information about this population.Which type of qualitative study method will the researcher use?

Which qualitative study will call for an exploratory-descriptive study approach?

The goal of grounded theory research is to:

A researcher conducts a qualitative study and learns that individuals have a variety of reactions to an event.What can the researcher conclude from this finding?

When performing an external criticism of the documents used in historical research,the reviewer must determine whether the documents are:

What role does qualitative research play in evidence-based practice (EBP) ?

What is a key element of hermeneutics in research?

When conducting historical research about the experiences of women refugees from the Sudan,the researcher interviews women who served as nurses among this population.These nurses represent:

What is true about scientific rigor in qualitative nursing research?

When designing a study,which has the greatest influence as a researcher decides which type of qualitative study design to use?

A researcher utilizes an emic approach in a research study in order to:

A researcher conducts a study to examine the feelings of cancer patients at various points during their disease,including at diagnosis,when beginning chemotherapy,and during remission.Which type of study will the researcher use for this study?

Which is an example of an etic approach in an ethnographic study?

A researcher develops a study to examine various phenomena that contribute to theory development.This is an example of which type of research?

A researcher wishes to learn about the experiences that women have when breastfeeding their infants in the workplace.Which type of study design will the researcher employ?

What is true about phenomena in qualitative research?

A researcher wishes to understand how inner-city Somali immigrants adapt health care practices into their experiences with the U.S.health care system.Which type of study approach will the researcher use?

What is true about grounded theory research?

A researcher who bases phenomenological research on Husserl's philosophy will: