Deck 6: Generating the Research Idea

Question 1

Researchers study the relationship between interpersonal violence and health in college age women. The selected an alpha of 0.05. The researchers examined the average score on a psychological distress scale and compared the score for abused versus non abused women. A p value of 0.016 is reported. Based on this information, you know:

A) There is a statistically significant difference in the average psychological distress score.
B) There is no significant difference in the average psychological distress score.
C) This is a clinically significant result.
D) In this study women who were abused were statistically more likely to report psychological distress.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Researchers study the relationship between interpersonal violence and health in college age women. The researchers examined the average score on a psychological distress scale and compared the score for abused versus non abused women. If the researchers report a statistically significant difference and are incorrect about this conclusion what type of error could it be?

A) A clinical error
B) A type II error
C) A type I error
D) An error of omission

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Patients on your unit complete a functional mobility test. The test determines how many seconds it takes to walk 20 feet unassisted. Your patient's speed is reported as a Z score of 2.3 (p=0.54). You know this means the time it took your patient to walk 20 feet unassisted was:

A) Significantly faster than the average patient on the unit
B) Significantly slower than the average patient on the unit
C) 2.3 times faster than the slowest patient on the unit
D) Is not significantly different from the mean time

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Your intervention measured weight at the beginning of an office visit on three occasions. Repeating the measurement of this variable gives you more information about the:

A) level of measurement
B) divergent validity
C) content validity
D) stability

Question 5

Researchers studied symptom distress and palliative care designation among a sample of 900 hospitalized patients. They reported that women were significantly more likely to experience distress from fatigue when compared to men. Which statement is correct?

A) The p value associated with this test was > alpha.
B) If this result were incorrect it would be a type I error.
C) If this result were incorrect it would be a type II error.
D) This result has to be correct because it is statistically significant.

Question 6

Researchers studied symptom distress and palliative care designation among a sample of 900 hospitalized patients. They reported that women had higher average distress scores from anxiety (2.44) then men (2.20) but that this association was not significant. If this statistical result was found to be an incorrect and there is a statistically significant difference what is the most likely explanation for missing it?

A) The alpha value associated with this test was too high.
B) Inadequate power
C) This result has to be correct because it is statistically significant.
D) Having too large of a sample size

Question 7

A researcher is examining the relationship between taking oral prednisone for severe arthritis and blood glucose levels. One of the study subjects is your patient and you see from the report that his blood glucose level has a Z score of 2.2. You know this means:

A) Your patient's average blood glucose level is higher than the average blood glucose level of the study participants.
B) Your patient's blood glucose level is higher than his average level today.
C) Your patient's blood glucose level is statistically significant.
D) Your patient's blood glucose is close to average and thus stable.

Question 8

You are reading a study that examines the association between taking levothyroxine and the therapeutic insulin dose in diabetics. The researchers report a p=0.01. You know this means that:

A) There is a clinically significant association.
B) These results support the null hypothesis.
C) A type I error was made.
D) You would be unlikely to find these results if the null hypothesis were true.

Question 9

A study reports that administering vancomycin incorrectly is associated with red man syndrome. You know this means:

A) The p value was less than alpha.
B) A type I error was made in administering the medication.
C) The p value was greater than alpha.
D) The null hypothesis was accepted.

Question 10

The medical director and chief nursing officer at your hospital have agreed to institute a new safety protocol for diabetics who take oral hypoglycemics and levofloxacin based on a study that reports statistically significant increased risk for hyperglycemia in this patient population. You know this means:

A) The p value was greater than alpha in the study.
B) A type I error is going to be made.
C) The hospital leadership has concluded that the study results are clinically significant.
D) The safety protocol is an example of a hypothesis test.

Question 11

A study reports that the abuse of bath salts (synthetic cathinones) is associated with sharp increases in body temperature. You know this means:

A) The p value was less than alpha.
B) A type II error was made
C) This is a clinically significant result.
D) The result is not statistically significant.

Question 12

A study reports that there is no association between taking metronidazole and sun sensitivity. You know this means:

A) The p value was less than alpha.
B) A type II error was made
C) This is a clinically significant result.
D) The result is not statistically significant.

Question 13

You read a large study that indicates taking nitrofurantoin is associated with hepatic impairment. However, after examining the sampling methodology and the statistics you believe this conclusion is an error. If the conclusion is an error you know this means:

A) The actual p value is less than alpha.
B) A type I error was made
C) A type II error was made
D) A type III error was made

Question 14

Researchers study the relationship between taking phenazopuradine and discoloration of urine. The alpha of the study is 0.05 and the reported p value is 0.04. You know this means:

A) The result is statistically significant.
B) A type I error was made
C) This is a clinically significant result.
D) The result is not statistically significant.

Question 15

You read a study which studies the association between taking acyclovir and developing thrush. The alpha of the study is 0.05 and the reported p value is 0.08. You know this means:

A) The result is statistically significant.
B) A type I error was made
C) This is a clinically significant result.
D) The result is not clinically significant.

Question 16

You know the following is true when conducting a hypothesis test.

A) Your significance level is higher when your p value is higher.
B) Your decision is an error if the p value is greater than alpha.
C) You should determine your significance level or alpha before conducting your statistical test.
D) When you conduct your statistical analysis you should adjust your significance level to ensure you achieve statistical significance.

Question 17

Your patient returns from physical therapy with a summary report that states her post-surgical range of motion has a corresponding Z score of -0.43. You know this means your patient:

A) Has better range of motion when compared to the average post-surgical patient.
B) Has worse range of motion when compared to the average post-surgical patient.
C) Has had a slight decrease in her range of motion this week.
D) Is improving but still has not reached the average range of motion for post-surgical patients.

Question 18

Researchers studied the relationship between Vitamin B12 consumption and hair growth and report a p value of 0.56. The study was a pilot study with an alpha of 0.10. You know this means:

A) There is no statistically significant relationship between Vitamin B12 consumption and hair growth.
B) Vitamin B12 consumption is association with a 56% increase in hair growth.
C) The sample size was too small and a type I error was made.
D) There is a statistically significant relationship between Vitamin B12 consumption and hair growth.

Question 19

Your patient completes a DXA scan and the report indicates her left hip bone density has a Z score of -1.4. You know this means:

A) There is not a significant relationship between DXA scan and osteoporosis.
B) There is a significant relationship between DXA scan and osteoporosis.
C) Your patient's bone density is below average.
D) Your patient's bone density is 40% below the age matched average.

Question 20

Your patient completes a DXA scan and the report indicates her left hip bone density has a Z score of 1.8. You know this means:

A) There is not a significant relationship between DXA scan and osteoporosis.
B) There is a significant relationship between DXA scan and osteoporosis.
C) Your patient's bone density is above average.
D) Your patient's bone density is below the age matched average.