Qualitative Research Designs: A Comprehensive Guide for Nursing Students

Question 1

Improved: Which qualitative research design investigates the lived experiences of a phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Phenomenology

Answer

Grounded theory

Answer

Ethnography

Answer

Narrative research

Question 2

Improved: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of ethnographic research?

Accepted Answer

Use of quantitative data to support qualitative findings

Answer

Prolonged engagement in the field

Answer

Data collection through participant observation

Answer

Analysis of cultural artifacts

Question 3

Improved: What is triangulation in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Combining multiple data sources and methods to enhance credibility

Answer

Repetition of data collection to check for reliability

Answer

Use of a single data collection method to avoid bias

Answer

Sampling from a wide range of participants to ensure representativeness

Question 4

Improved: What is a primary purpose of data analysis in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

To identify patterns and themes

Answer

To quantify and summarize data

Answer

To test hypotheses

Answer

To generalize findings to a wider population

Question 5

Which qualitative research design emphasizes the study of subjective experiences and perceptions of a particular phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Phenomenology

Answer

Grounded theory

Answer

Ethnography

Question 6

Identify the key characteristic of a grounded theory research design.

Accepted Answer

Data collection and analysis occur simultaneously.

Answer

Research begins with pre-determined hypotheses.

Answer

Research findings can be easily generalized to other contexts.

Question 7

Which qualitative research design involves immersing oneself in a culture or group over time to gain an in-depth understanding of their way of life?

Accepted Answer

Ethnography

Answer

Case study

Answer

Historical research

Question 8

Identify a potential limitation of qualitative research approaches.

Accepted Answer

Results may not be applicable to a wider population.

Answer

Data analysis is objective and free from researcher bias.

Answer

Research designs can be simple and quick to implement.

Question 9

When selecting a qualitative research design, which factor should be a primary consideration?

Accepted Answer

Research question and objectives

Answer

Availability of funding

Answer

Researcher's personal interests

Question 10

Which qualitative data collection method involves observing and recording naturally occurring behaviors and interactions as they happen?

Accepted Answer

Participant observation

Answer

Interviews

Answer

Focus groups

Question 11

Which qualitative research design focuses on understanding the collective experiences and beliefs shared by a certain group?

Accepted Answer

Ethnography

Answer

Narrative inquiry

Answer

Phenomenology

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a method used in qualitative data analysis?

Accepted Answer

Statistical analysis

Answer

Thematic analysis

Answer

Content analysis

Question 13

Which of the following accurately describes the central focus of phenomenology in research?

Accepted Answer

Exploring the lived experiences of individuals

Answer

Developing theories from empirical data

Answer

Analyzing social and cultural contexts of experiences

Answer

Interpreting data through the researcher's subjective lens

Question 14

When would grounded theory be the most suitable qualitative research design?

Accepted Answer

When there is limited knowledge about the phenomenon under study

Answer

When the research question is clearly defined

Answer

When a large sample size is available

Answer

When the goal is to test a specific hypothesis

Question 15

What is a primary strength of ethnographic research design?

Accepted Answer

Providing detailed insights into a specific culture or social group

Answer

Uncovering unexpected patterns and perspectives

Answer

Being relatively inexpensive and easy to conduct

Answer

Enabling generalizations to broader populations

Question 16

In grounded theory research, the initial data analysis typically begins with:

Accepted Answer

Examining a collection of empirical data

Answer

Testing a predetermined hypothesis

Answer

Applying a fixed set of codes to the data

Answer

Conducting a comprehensive literature review

Question 17

Which of the following accurately describes a key characteristic of phenomenological research design?

Accepted Answer

It emphasizes understanding the lived experiences of individuals from their perspective.

Answer

It prioritizes the researcher's objectivity and detachment from participants.

Answer

It aims to develop a theory from the data collected.

Answer

It employs a longitudinal research design that follows participants over time.

Question 18

Which research design is most appropriate for investigating the cultural practices and beliefs of a particular community?

Accepted Answer

Ethnography

Answer

Grounded theory

Answer

Phenomenology

Answer

Case study

Question 19

What is the primary objective of a case study research design?

Accepted Answer

To obtain an in-depth understanding of a specific case or phenomenon.

Answer

To generate a generalizable theory

Answer

To explore a phenomenon in a broad and comprehensive manner.

Answer

To compare the effectiveness of different interventions.

Question 20

Which data collection method is commonly employed in ethnographic research?

Accepted Answer

Participant observation

Answer

Surveys

Answer

Semi-structured interviews

Answer

Document analysis

Question 21

In phenomenological research, what is the researcher's primary role?

Accepted Answer

To interpret and make sense of the experiences shared by participants.

Answer

To maintain objectivity and avoid influencing the participants' experiences.

Answer

To facilitate and guide the experiences of participants.

Answer

To evaluate the validity and credibility of participants' experiences.

Question 22

Which characteristic is NOT a feature of a grounded theory research design?

Accepted Answer

The design requires a large sample size.

Answer

The design is inductive and driven by the data.

Answer

The design is iterative and involves continuous comparison of the collected data.

Question 23

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of qualitative research designs?

Accepted Answer

Primarily uses inductive reasoning

Answer

Emphasizes numerical data

Answer

Focuses on generalizability

Answer

Involves manipulating variables

Question 24

What is the primary purpose of phenomenology in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

To explore the lived experiences of individuals

Answer

To generate a theory

Answer

To describe a social phenomenon

Answer

To test a hypothesis

Question 25

What is the central focus of ethnography in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Cultural norms and practices

Answer

Individual beliefs and attitudes

Answer

Social interactions and relationships

Answer

Historical events and experiences

Question 26

When selecting an appropriate qualitative research design, which criterion should be prioritized?

Accepted Answer

Research question

Answer

Personal preference

Answer

Available resources

Answer

Data analysis skills

Question 27

In qualitative research, which step is essential for ensuring the reliability and validity of findings?

Accepted Answer

Triangulating data from multiple sources

Answer

Using a large sample size

Answer

Following a strict research protocol

Answer

Consulting with experts in the field

Question 28

In qualitative research, what is the primary reason for practicing reflexivity?

Accepted Answer

To acknowledge and minimize the researcher's personal biases and assumptions.

Answer

To increase the validity and reliability of the research findings.

Answer

To distinguish the researcher's personal experiences from the research data.

Answer

To guarantee that the research findings are free from any subjective interpretations.

Question 29

What is a key advantage of employing a grounded theory research design?

Accepted Answer

Enables the generation of new theories from gathered data.

Answer

Offers a rigid framework for data collection and analysis.

Answer

Suits research questions seeking a detailed description of a phenomenon.

Question 30

Which characteristic is distinctive of quantitative research designs?

Accepted Answer

Aim of generalizing findings to a larger population

Answer

Emphasis on in-depth exploration of a limited number of cases

Answer

Reliance on non-numerical data

Answer

Inductive approach to data analysis

Question 31

What is a key advantage of qualitative research designs?

Accepted Answer

In-depth exploration of complex phenomena

Answer

Generalizability of findings to a wider population

Answer

Researcher's unbiased perspective

Answer

Swift and efficient data collection

Question 32

Which qualitative research design is most suitable for exploring the subjective experiences and perspectives of individuals?

Accepted Answer

Phenomenology

Answer

Grounded theory

Answer

Case study

Answer

Ethnography

Question 33

What is the overarching goal of grounded theory research?

Accepted Answer

To develop a theory grounded in the data collected from participants.

Answer

To provide a detailed description of a specific phenomenon.

Answer

To test an existing hypothesis or theory.

Question 34

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of ethnographic research?

Accepted Answer

Extended immersion and observation within a group or culture.

Answer

Intensive focus on individual experiences and perspectives.

Answer

Use of structured interviews and questionnaires.

Answer

Quantitative analysis of data to draw statistical conclusions.

Question 35

What is a key advantage of qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

Provides in-depth insights and understanding of human experiences and perspectives.

Answer

Precise measurement and quantification of variables.

Answer

Ability to generalize findings to a large population.

Answer

Statistical validity and generalizability of results.

Question 36

In qualitative research, what is the primary role of the researcher?

Accepted Answer

Active participant, observer, and interpreter of the research process and findings.

Answer

Objective observer who remains detached from the research participants.

Answer

Solely responsible for collecting data from participants.

Answer

External facilitator who guides the research process but does not participate directly.

Question 37

Which qualitative data analysis method involves identifying and categorizing patterns and themes within the data?

Accepted Answer

Thematic analysis

Answer

Discourse analysis

Answer

Statistical analysis

Answer

Content analysis

Question 38

In qualitative research, what is the ethical principle of informed consent?

Accepted Answer

Participants must be fully informed about the research purpose, procedures, and their rights before providing consent.

Answer

Participants must be compensated financially for their participation.

Answer

Researchers must obtain written consent from all participants regardless of age or capacity.

Question 39

Which type of qualitative interview involves a flexible and conversational approach, allowing for exploration of participants' perspectives?

Accepted Answer

Semi-structured interview

Answer

Focus group

Answer

Structured clinical interview

Answer

Quantitative survey

Question 40

What is the primary function of a research proposal in qualitative research?

Accepted Answer

To provide an outline of the research question, design, methodology, and ethical considerations.

Answer

To present the final research findings and conclusions.

Answer

To secure funding for the research project.