Deck 10: Clarifying Measurement and Data Collection in Quantitative Research

Question 1

A nursing professor administers three versions of a final examination to a class of students and compares the examinations for reliability.This is a measure of

A) homogeneity.
B) interrater reliability.
C) equivalence.
D) test-retest reliability.

Answer 1

equivalence.

Question 2

A researcher reviews study data about head circumference in newborns and notes that study personnel are measuring from the end of the measuring tape and not from the zero point,which is 1 cm from the end.This is an example of which type of measurement error?

A) Indirect
B) Random
C) Reliability
D) Systematic

Answer 2

Systematic

Question 3

Among subjects with coronary artery disease,a researcher identifies three levels of symptoms which can be categorized by severity.This represents which level of measurement?

A) Interval
B) Nominal
C) Ordinal
D) Ratio

Answer 3

Ordinal

Question 4

A researcher studying the effects of an intervention on symptoms measures the time from intervention to absence of symptoms and reports this in the number of days.This measure represents which level of measurement?

A) Interval
B) Nominal
C) Ordinal
D) Ratio

Question 5

A researcher evaluates a measurement tool by administering the tool to a group of subjects every 2 weeks for 8 weeks.This is a measure of the tool's

A) alternate forms reliability.
B) internal consistency reliability.
C) interrater reliability.
D) test-retest reliability.

Question 6

A researcher wishes to study the effects of preoperative teaching on anxiety levels among toddlers and preschoolers undergoing surgery.To reduce the potential for measurement error,the researcher will

A) ask study subjects to describe feelings of anxiety.
B) develop a new tool to measure anxiety levels in children.
C) rely on multiple observers to collect data for this study.
D) use a standardized checklist of anxiety behaviors.

Question 7

The nurse researcher understands that the levels of measurement,from low to high,are

A) nominal,interval,ratio,and ordinal.
B) nominal,ordinal,ratio,and interval.
C) nominal,ordinal,interval,and ratio.
D) nominal,interval,ordinal,and ratio.

Question 8

A researcher studying children identifies the following age groups: Birth to age 12 months
12 months to 3 years
3 years to 5 years
5 years to 12 years
12 years to 18 years
These categories are not

A) empirical.
B) equal.
C) exclusive.
D) exhaustive.

Question 9

A study measuring the effects of a new diuretic medication records hourly urine output of subjects.This measure represents which level of measurement?

A) Interval
B) Nominal
C) Ordinal
D) Ratio

Question 10

A researcher may use which strategy to reduce the potential for measurement error when evaluating obesity in study subjects?

A) Measure weight,abdominal girth,and BMI on all subjects.
B) Train multiple data collectors to take measurements.
C) Use scales in several different clinical settings to obtain data.
D) Utilize a single measure,such as BMI,applied to all subjects.

Question 11

A researcher conducts a study to examine the effects of breastfeeding on infant weight at age 6 months.Which type of measurement is used to measure the infants' weight?

A) Direct
B) Indirect
C) Nominal
D) Ordinal

Question 12

Which can be measured using direct measurement?

A) Anxiety level
B) Blood pressure
C) Diagnosis
D) Feelings

Question 13

Which statement is true about validity?

A) Validity evaluates an instrument for a specific group or purpose.
B) Validity occurs when an instrument is valid across situations.
C) Validity measures are absolute.
D) Validity measures are independent of reliability.

Question 14

In a pilot study to help train a group of data collectors who will evaluate children's pain using a FACES rating scale,the researcher examines the reliability of the scores of each data collector.This is an example of which type of reliability measure?

A) Alternate forms reliability
B) Internal consistency reliability
C) Interrater reliability
D) Test-retest reliability

Question 15

A researcher evaluates scores of a paper and pencil instrument with dichotomous variables using the Kuder-Richardson formula.This is a test of

A) alternate forms reliability.
B) internal consistency reliability.
C) interrater reliability.
D) test-retest reliability.

Question 16

Which is a true statement about measurement theory?

A) A measurement method used by one individual will consistently produce different results when used by another individual.
B) Measurement theory was recently developed by musicians,statisticians,and other scholars to guide how things are measured.
C) The purpose of measurement is to obtain trustworthy data that can be used to address the study purpose and objectives,questions,or hypotheses.
D) The levels of measurement,from low to high,are ratio,interval,nominal,and ordinal.

Question 17

A researcher notes a reliability score of 0.75 between two observers in a clinical drug trial evaluating whether the drug decreases anxiety.This score means that

A) there is 25% random error.
B) there is 75% random error.
C) this is an acceptable measure of reliability.
D) this measurement tool is not reliable.

Question 18

A researcher conducts a study to identify the relationship of lifestyle choices to the development of chronic diseases.The researcher surveys subjects and identifies diabetes mellitus,coronary artery disease,and renal disease in study subjects.These measures represent which level of measurement?

A) Interval
B) Nominal
C) Ordinal
D) Ratio

Question 19

A researcher performs a series of pilot studies to evaluate whether a measurement tool produces consistent results.This is an evaluation of

A) accuracy.
B) precision.
C) reliability.
D) validity.

Question 20

Which is an accurate statement about measurement error?

A) Some error is always present in any measurement strategy.
B) There is no difference between the true measure and what is actually measured.
C) Direct measures,which generally are expected to be highly accurate,are not subject to error.
D) With indirect measures,the element being measured can be seen directly.

Question 21

When documenting reports that previous research has demonstrated the accuracy of a physiological measure,the researcher is addressing the measure's

A) equivalence.
B) homogeneity.
C) reliability.
D) validity.

Question 22

An instrument that detects the presence of streptococcal antibodies is negative.Before reporting the absence of disease,the researcher must determine whether this result might be a

A) false negative.
B) false positive.
C) gold standard.
D) true positive.

Question 23

A researcher evaluates whether a tool addresses the major elements of the construct being studied.This helps to ensure

A) content validity.
B) equivalence.
C) internal consistency.
D) readability level.

Question 24

A researcher administers two instruments known to measure opposite concepts and performs correlational analyses on the results.The original measure has a negative correlation of -0.6 with the new measure.This indicates

A) both measures are valid.
B) neither measure is valid.
C) only the first measure is valid.
D) only the second measure is valid.

Question 25

Which is true about a test that is highly sensitive for detecting a disease?

A) There is a high probability of having a false negative result.
B) There is a high probability of having a false positive result.
C) There is a low probability of having a false negative result.
D) There is a low probability of having a false positive result.

Question 26

Which type of scale is most commonly used in a survey of patient satisfaction?

A) Likert scale
B) Numeric rating scale
C) Rating scale
D) Visual analog scale

Question 27

Which is true about a test that is highly specific?

A) It is good at identifying patients who do not have a disease.
B) It is good at identifying patients who have a disease.
C) It results in an increased number of false negatives.
D) It results in an increased number of false positives.

Question 28

In a study evaluating pulse oximetry measures in infants,a researcher notes that the pulse oximeter probes are attached to infants' feet in different ways.This represents which type of measurement error?

A) Environmental
B) Equipment
C) Subject
D) User

Question 29

A researcher tests a measurement tool's validity by administering it to a group of subjects who don't have health insurance and a group who have health insurance to examine attitudes about access to health care.The researcher is looking for evidence of validity from

A) contrasting groups.
B) convergence.
C) divergence.
D) readability.

Question 30

In a study measuring oxygen saturation levels in infants,the researcher notes that data collectors record low saturation levels that occur when the heart rate is erratic and the infants are irritable and actively moving around.This will likely result in which type of measurement error?

A) Environmental
B) Equipment
C) Interpretation
D) User

Question 31

A researcher reports that a measure is highly sensitive when diagnosing patients.The reviewer understands that this test

A) has a low percentage of false negatives.
B) has a low percentage of false positives.
C) has a high percentage of false negatives.
D) has a high percentage of false positives.

Question 32

Which possible outcome of a screening test for a disease indicates accurately that a disease is not present?

A) True positive
B) False positive
C) True negative
D) False negative

Question 33

A researcher administers a scale measuring self-confidence and one measuring self-doubt to a group of subjects and performs a correlational analysis of the results.This is a test of validity from

A) contrasting groups.
B) convergence.
C) divergence.
D) readability.

Question 34

A researcher develops a new instrument to measure coping skills and conducts a pilot study to compare the new tool with an existing tool that measures this concept.This is an example of evidence of validity from

A) contrasting groups.
B) convergence.
C) divergence.
D) readability.

Question 35

Which statement is true about using a questionnaire to collect data?

A) Questions are presented consistently with less chance for bias than with an interview.
B) Questionnaires are generally more expensive than interviewing techniques.
C) Subjects usually give more in-depth answers when responding to questionnaires.
D) The response rate is generally higher than when using interviews to collect data.

Question 36

A researcher uses a checklist of questions to ask participants while collecting data for a study.This represents which type of data collection?

A) Structured interview
B) Structured questionnaire
C) Unstructured interview
D) Unstructured questionnaire

Question 37

Which is important when using observational measurement to produce reliable data?

A) Data collectors will record observations in their own words.
B) Each subject should have different observers to record responses.
C) Observations will be spontaneously recorded as they occur.
D) Researchers will develop checklists of notable behaviors for observers to use.

Question 38

A screening test has a specificity of 92%.This means that there is a(n)

A) 92% chance of a true positive.
B) 92% chance of a false positive.
C) 8% chance of a false positive.
D) 8% chance of a true positive.

Question 39

A researcher evaluating the weight of subjects who are obese ensures that the scales used are maintained and calibrated according to the manufacturer's recommendations.This is to ensure

A) accuracy.
B) convergence.
C) precision.
D) validity.

Question 40

The type of validity that focuses on the extent to which an individual's score on an instrument or scale can be used to estimate his or her present or concurrent performance on another variable or criterion is known as

A) concurrent validity.
B) content validity.
C) construct validity.
D) predictive validity.

Question 41

Which is true about using data from an existing database?

A) It allows larger sampling and complex analyses.
B) The burden on participants is higher than when primary data collection is used.
C) The researcher can draw upon data that are specific to a study.
D) Research reports do not have to describe data collection procedures.

Question 42

Which data represent the lowest form of measurement?

A) Levels of anxiety on a scale from mild to severe
B) Race and ethnicity classification
C) Temperature of subjects after an intervention
D) Weight,height,and body mass index

Question 43

What type of information is typically found in an administrative database?

A) Data collected for a specific research study
B) Demographic information about a population
C) Journal accounts of subjects' responses to surveys
D) Statistical results of experimental studies

Question 44

Which of the following are true statements about a Likert scale? Select all that apply.

A) It is designed to determine the opinions or attitudes of study subjects.
B) It is the least commonly used of the scaling techniques.
C) The original version of the scale included three response categories.
D) Sometimes seven options are given on a response scale,sometimes only four.
E) It usually consists of 10 to 20 items,each addressing an element of the concept being measures.

Question 45

A researcher wishes to evaluate the reliability of a visual analog pain scale in a group of postoperative patients.The best way to do this is to compare results

A) to results of the test when given to another set of subjects.
B) to results from the same subjects using the FACES rating scale.
C) to results from a previous measure with a different visual analog scale.
D) to results from a group of subjects who have minimal or no pain.

Question 46

Which of the following are accurate statements about the data collection process when conducting research? Select all that apply.

A) The actual steps of collecting data are specific to each study and depend on the research design,sample,and measurement techniques.
B) Study participants may be recruited only at the initiation of data collection,but not throughout the data collection period.
C) It is not necessary for the researchers to specify the number and characteristics of subjects who decline to participate in the study.
D) The key to accurate data collection in any study is consistency.
E) Researchers build controls into their study plan to maximize the influence of intervening forces on the findings.

Question 47

Which generally is an advantage of using primary data in a research study?

A) It allows researchers to conduct more longitudinal studies.
B) It has greater specificity to the study purpose.
C) It puts less burden on study participants.
D) It reduces the cost of data collection.

Question 48

In a study involving multiple data collectors,the researcher helps to ensure consistency in data collection by

A) describing the study participant recruitment process in the research summary.
B) detailing the training process of the data collectors in the research report.
C) discarding data that includes even minor deviations in data collection methods.
D) minimizing the influence of intervening forces on the study findings.