Question 1

Which of the following is linked to the study's research problem, literature review, and framework?

Accepted Answer

A study's design (and other methodological elements) must fit the research problem and purpose, be informed by the literature review, and link to the study's framework. Problem and purpose are parts of the study design.

Question 2

Which item is true about quasi-experimental studies?

Accepted Answer

Quasi-experimental studies lack either a control group or randomization, usually randomization. Quasi-experiments improve on pre-experimental designs because they allow more than one comparison to be made. The lack of a control group or randomization is compensated for by other control strategies.

Question 3

The design for a quantitative study specifies

Accepted Answer

A research design is the overall structure or general layout for a study and timing of measures. How data will be collected and the hypotheses that will be tested are other components of a study's methodology.

Question 4

A group of nurse researchers tested the effectiveness of a social support intervention that was designed to improve breastfeeding success in first-time mothers. Mothers who received the intervention were compared to mothers who did not receive the intervention in terms of breastfeeding duration and satisfaction. This describes what type of study?

Accepted Answer

Experimental research designs entail manipulation of the independent variable (social support) by the researcher. Case study and correlational designs do not involve manipulation of the independent variable.

Question 5

Which of the following questions would be consistent with an exploratory study?

Accepted Answer

An exploratory study focuses on the dimensions of a phenomenon and associated characteristics. Prevalence of depression and defining features of depression would be consistent with descriptive research.

Question 6

Which of the following is the defining feature of a cross-over design?

Accepted Answer

In a cross-over design, treatment conditions rather than subjects are randomized; thus, subjects serve as their own controls. A blinded study occurs when the researcher is unaware of which subjects are in treatment and which are in the control group. Random assignment to treatment and control groups describes experimental research.

Question 7

The type of design that is best suited for studying the effects of cat dander allergens on asthma in children would be a

Accepted Answer

A prospective design describes a situation in which the independent variable is something that occurs "naturally," rather than being manipulated by the researcher. It could be considered ethically unacceptable to expose individuals to cat dander.

Question 8

A team of nurse researchers used existing data from the Nurses' Health Study to explore work variables associated with migraine headaches. This is an example of what kind of research?

Accepted Answer

In secondary analysis, data that have already been collected for another study are subjected to additional analyses to answer new research questions. Methodological refers to research about study methods. Survey research is a type of descriptive research, usually using a questionnaire (survey).

Question 9

Two researchers studied the reliability, readability, and validity of a tool they were developing to measure the risk of back injury in nurses. This is an example of what kind of research?

Accepted Answer

Methodological research focuses on exploring the efficacy and effectiveness of different data collection strategies. Secondary analysis involves subjecting previously collected data to new analyses in order to answer new research questions. Survey research is a type of descriptive research.

Question 10

If a researcher was interested in studying the prevalence of health-promoting and health risk behaviors among college students, s/he would most likely conduct which type of research?

Accepted Answer

Survey research is undertaken to describe features of a phenomenon, such as its prevalence and characteristics. Evaluation research focuses on outcomes of an intervention. A case study is an in-depth exploration of a small number of cases with similar characteristics.

Question 11

A researcher compared the effects of free cafeteria meals on Mondays and employee absenteeism on Mondays. Data were collected for three months before and three months after this program was put into place. This is a description of what type of study?

Accepted Answer

To address timing issues, some studies involve multiple measures of the dependent variable. These designs are indicated by the term time-series. In a cross-over design, the timing of treatment conditions is randomized to a single group of subjects. In a trend study, different samples from the same population are studied at different points of time in regard to the same variable(s) of interest.

Question 12

A researcher collected data on predisposing factors for depression from 100 women who had undergone an emergency C-section. Participants completed a depression scale two weeks after delivery. This is a description of what type of study?

Accepted Answer

In a retrospective study, participants are asked about exposure to the independent variable after it has occurred. In a prospective study, participants are followed forward in time to see if they develop the dependent variable of interest. A time-series study involves collecting information about the dependent variable at several points in time.

Question 13

A researcher examined records of patients who had been readmitted for postoperative complications in order to identify predictive factors. This is a description of what type of study?

Accepted Answer

In a retrospective study, participants are asked about exposure to the independent variable after it has occurred. In a prospective study, participants are followed forward in time to see if they develop the dependent variable of interest. In a trend study, different samples from the same population are studied at different points of time in regard to the same variable(s) of interest.

Question 14

A group of researchers studied the effects of background noise (music versus TV) and snack habits (sweet versus salty) on information retention in college students. This describes what type of study?

Accepted Answer

A factorial design involves the simultaneous manipulation of two or more independent variables. In a double-blind study, neither the researchers nor subjects are aware of who is in the treatment versus control group. In a cross-over design, treatment conditions are randomized to a single group of subjects.

Question 15

A researcher compared stress levels in patients receiving chemotherapy with and without using guided imagery as a distraction intervention. A sample of 20 patients received a random ordering of chemotherapy treatments with and without guided imagery. This describes what type of study?

Accepted Answer

In a cross-over design, treatment conditions are randomized to a single group of subjects. A factorial design involves the simultaneous manipulation of two or more independent variables. In a double-blind study, neither the researcher nor subjects is aware of who is in the treatment versus control group.

Question 16

The Framingham Heart Study, in which the development of heart disease among residents of Framingham, Massachusetts, was studied over a 30+ year period, is an example of what type of study?

Accepted Answer

In a panel study, data are collected from the same subjects at multiple points in time. In a cross-sectional study, data are collected at a single point in time. In a trend study, data are collected at multiple points in time, but from different samples drawn from the same population.

Question 17

A researcher compares the history of caffeine intake in men who do and do not have prostate cancer. This is an example of what type of study?

Accepted Answer

In a retrospective study, subjects are asked about prior exposure to the independent variable. In a panel study, data are collected from the same individuals over a prolonged period of time. In a prospective study, individuals with a risk factor (independent variable) are followed forward in time to see if they develop the dependent variable.

Question 18

Presidential opinion polls are an example of what type of study?

Accepted Answer

In a trend study, different samples from the same population are asked about the variable of interest at different points in time. In a cohort study, the same group is followed over time to see if the participants develop the dependent variable of interest. A panel study involves collecting descriptive data from the same individuals at multiple points in time.

Question 19

A researcher is studying adjustment to spousal military deployment by mailing surveys to individuals whose spouse was deployed three, six, nine, and twelve months earlier. What type of design does this represent?

Accepted Answer

This is a cross-sectional study because data are collected at a single point in time. In a cohort study, the same group is followed over time to see if the participants develop the dependent variable of interest. In a trend study, different samples from the same population are asked about the variable of interest at different points in time.

Question 20

A researcher used questionnaires to study the prevalence, distribution, and correlation of burnout among nurses who work in emergency departments. This is an example of what type of research?

Accepted Answer

Survey research is undertaken to describe the prevalence and characteristics of a phenomenon. Case study research is the in-depth exploration of a small group of individuals. Ethnographic research focuses on the culture of a group.

Quiz 8: Research Designs