Quantitative Research Methods: Advanced Techniques for Nursing Research

Question 1

Which advantage is a key benefit of longitudinal studies in nursing research?

Accepted Answer

Tracking the impact of interventions over time

Answer

Establishing causal relationships

Answer

Reducing the risk of selection bias

Answer

Controlling for confounding variables

Question 2

Which characteristic is NOT unique to experimental research designs?

Accepted Answer

Descriptive data collection

Answer

Random assignment

Answer

Control groups

Answer

Experimental manipulation

Question 3

Longitudinal research designs offer the advantage of:

Accepted Answer

Measuring changes over time

Answer

Establishing causality between variables

Answer

Controlling for extraneous variables

Answer

Being less expensive than cross-sectional designs

Question 4

When performing a power analysis for quantitative research, the researcher must specify:

Accepted Answer

The effect size and sample size

Answer

The significance level and sample size

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The significance level and population size

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The effect size and population size

Question 5

Which error type is associated with sampling in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

Sampling frame error

Answer

Non-response error

Answer

Measurement error

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Response bias

Question 6

The aim of a research proposal is to:

Accepted Answer

Provide a detailed outline for the research project

Answer

Secure funding for a research project

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Disseminate the findings of the research project

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Evaluate the quality of the research project

Question 7

Quantitative research studies should utilize:

Accepted Answer

Objective and measurable variables

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Subjective and qualitative variables

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Both objective and subjective variables

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Neither objective nor subjective variables

Question 8

A key component of a research question is the:

Accepted Answer

Outcome

Answer

Population

Answer

Intervention

Answer

Hypothesis

Question 9

The purpose of a pilot study is to:

Accepted Answer

Test the feasibility and refine the research design.

Answer

Collect data for the main study

Answer

Disseminate the research findings

Answer

Evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention

Question 10

Which type of longitudinal research design follows participants over an extended period?

Accepted Answer

Cohort

Answer

Cross-sectional

Answer

Case-control

Answer

Retrospective

Question 11

Which of the following is a statistical test used to compare means between two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

ANOVA

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Correlation analysis

Question 12

What is the primary difference between longitudinal and cross-sectional research designs?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal designs collect data from the same participants over time, while cross-sectional designs collect data from different participants at a single point in time.

Answer

Cross-sectional designs collect data from a larger number of participants than longitudinal designs.

Answer

Longitudinal designs are more susceptible to threats to internal validity than cross-sectional designs.

Answer

Cross-sectional designs are more suitable for studying rare outcomes than longitudinal designs.

Question 13

What is a primary purpose of conducting a power analysis?

Accepted Answer

To determine the minimum sample size needed to achieve a desired level of statistical power.

Answer

To calculate the statistical significance of the study's results.

Answer

To identify the most appropriate statistical test to use.

Answer

To control for confounding variables.

Question 14

Which type of sampling method is most likely to produce a representative sample of the population?

Accepted Answer

Stratified sampling, where the population is divided into subgroups and participants are randomly selected from each subgroup.

Answer

Convenience sampling, where participants are selected based on their availability.

Answer

Quota sampling, where participants are selected to match the population's demographics.

Answer

Snowball sampling, where participants are recruited through referrals from other participants.

Question 15

What is the primary purpose of using descriptive statistics in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To summarize and organize data in a meaningful way.

Answer

To test hypotheses about the relationships between variables.

Answer

To draw conclusions about the generalizability of the study's findings.

Answer

To predict future outcomes.

Question 16

Which of the following statistical tests is most commonly used to compare the means of two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

t-test

Answer

ANOVA (analysis of variance)

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Regression analysis

Question 17

What is the key difference between parametric and non-parametric statistical tests?

Accepted Answer

Parametric tests assume that the data are normally distributed, while non-parametric tests do not.

Answer

Non-parametric tests are more powerful than parametric tests.

Answer

Parametric tests are more appropriate for small sample sizes than non-parametric tests.

Answer

Non-parametric tests are only used with categorical data.

Question 18

In quantitative research, what is the primary purpose of power analysis?

Accepted Answer

Determining the minimum sample size needed to detect a statistically significant effect.

Answer

Calculating the study's effect size.

Answer

Selecting the appropriate statistical test.

Question 19

Longitudinal research design involving repeated measurements of the same subjects over time is known as:

Accepted Answer

Panel

Answer

Cohort

Answer

Trend

Answer

Cross-sectional

Question 20

A common data analysis method used in quantitative research is:

Accepted Answer

Regression analysis

Answer

Content analysis

Answer

Factor analysis

Answer

Grounded theory

Question 21

A potential bias in sampling that can occur due to unequal representation of subgroups in the sample is:

Accepted Answer

Selection bias

Answer

Response bias

Answer

Measurement bias

Answer

Attrition bias

Question 22

In randomized controlled trials, random assignment helps to:

Accepted Answer

Enhance internal validity by eliminating selection bias

Answer

Equally distribute confounding variables across groups

Answer

Increase sample size

Answer

Reduce attrition

Question 23

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of experimental research designs?

Accepted Answer

Utilization of qualitative data collection methods

Answer

Random assignment of participants to different groups

Answer

Controlled manipulation of the independent variable

Answer

Inclusion of a control group

Question 24

Which of the following is a key advantage of using a longitudinal research design?

Accepted Answer

Ability to observe and track changes over time

Answer

Reduced risk of selection bias

Answer

Ease and convenience of data collection

Answer

Cost-effectiveness and resource efficiency

Question 25

What is the purpose of conducting a sample size calculation in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

To determine the minimum number of participants needed to achieve statistical significance

Answer

To ensure that the sample is fully representative of the target population

Answer

To reduce the risk of bias and confounding factors

Answer

To facilitate ease and efficiency in data collection

Question 26

Which statistical test is most appropriate for comparing the means of two independent groups?

Accepted Answer

Independent samples t-test

Answer

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Pearson correlation coefficient

Question 27

What is the fundamental distinction between a population and a sample in quantitative research?

Accepted Answer

A population represents the entire group of interest, while a sample is a subset selected for study

Answer

A sample represents the entire group of interest, while a population is a subset selected for study

Answer

A population is only used in qualitative research, while a sample is used in quantitative research

Answer

A sample is only used in qualitative research, while a population is used in quantitative research

Question 28

What is the key difference between parametric and non-parametric statistical tests?

Accepted Answer

Parametric tests assume a normal distribution of data, while non-parametric tests do not

Answer

Non-parametric tests assume a normal distribution of data, while parametric tests do not

Answer

Parametric tests are more powerful than non-parametric tests

Answer

Non-parametric tests are more powerful than parametric tests

Question 29

How does a well-crafted research question guide the development of a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

It specifies the exact question that the hypothesis will attempt to answer.

Answer

It determines the statistical methods to be used in the study.

Answer

It outlines the specific research methods to be employed.

Question 30

Which of the following is a key feature distinguishing experimental research designs?

Accepted Answer

Random assignment of participants to groups

Answer

Subjective data interpretation

Answer

Observational data collection

Answer

Emphasis on generalization

Question 31

Which quasi-experimental design compares two naturally formed groups without random assignment?

Accepted Answer

Non-equivalent control group design

Answer

Factorial design

Answer

Matched pairs design

Question 32

What is a primary advantage of longitudinal research designs?

Accepted Answer

Examining changes over time

Answer

Cost-effectiveness

Answer

High internal validity

Answer

Generalizable findings

Question 33

Which statistical test is used in a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)?

Accepted Answer

F-test

Answer

T-test

Answer

Mann-Whitney U test

Answer

Chi-square test

Question 34

Which assumption underpins parametric statistical tests?

Accepted Answer

Data follows a normal distribution

Answer

Large sample size

Answer

Ordinal or nominal data

Answer

Independent variables

Question 35

What is the main goal of conducting a power analysis?

Accepted Answer

Determining the necessary sample size for statistical significance

Answer

Eliminating bias

Answer

Identifying potential confounding variables

Question 36

Which limitation is associated with quantitative research methods?

Accepted Answer

Limited ability to capture subjective human experiences

Answer

Difficulty recruiting participants

Answer

Lack of generalizability

Answer

High expenses

Question 37

Which ethical principle emphasizes respecting participants' rights?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Question 38

Which characteristic is essential to the design of true experiments?

Accepted Answer

Random assignment of participants to groups

Answer

Absence of a control group

Answer

Use of a non-random sample

Question 39

A researcher intends to investigate the influence of a physical activity program on the health status of older adults. Which research design would be most suitable?

Accepted Answer

Quasi-experimental design

Answer

Longitudinal design

Answer

Correlational design

Answer

Experimental design

Question 40

Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of participants is a fundamental ethical principle in quantitative research. Which of the following is a measure that researchers can take to uphold this principle?

Accepted Answer

Anonymizing data and ensuring confidentiality

Answer

Using deception to protect participant feelings

Answer

Obtaining informed consent from all participants

Answer

Publishing results in peer-reviewed journals

Question 41

A researcher is conducting a study on the effectiveness of a new medication for lowering blood pressure. Which of the following measures would be most suitable to use as the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

Mean reduction in systolic blood pressure

Answer

Number of pills taken per day

Answer

Researcher's subjective assessment of improvement

Answer

Participant satisfaction with the medication

Question 42

A researcher is investigating the relationship between job satisfaction and employee performance. Which statistical test would be most appropriate to use?

Accepted Answer

Pearson correlation

Answer

Independent samples t-test

Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

Analysis of variance (ANOVA)

Question 43

What is a key advantage of incorporating mixed methods into a quantitative research study?

Accepted Answer

It enhances the depth and comprehensiveness of the findings.

Answer

It ensures the objectivity of the results.

Answer

It reduces the time and cost of data collection.

Question 44

A researcher is interested in studying the long-term effects of a smoking cessation program on participants' health outcomes. Which type of quantitative research method would be most suitable?

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal design

Answer

Mixed methods design

Answer

Cross-sectional design

Answer

Experimental design