MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. A researcher studies the effect on reading comprehension level of providing fourth-grade

boyswho are slow and ponderous readers with illustrated comic books for a six-week 

summersessioninstead of textbooks, hypothesizing that reading associated with pictures 

will results ina higher reading comprehension level. The researcher set a level of 

significance at p <.05. Analysis of thedata from a study indicates that there was a significant 

difference between thetwo groups, whichwere randomly selected and composed of 100 

subjects each. However, theexperimental comic book groups scores improved less than did 

the scores of the boys who used the textbooks. The measured p-level was 0.026. What type

of finding is this?

a. Significant results that are in keeping with those predicted by the researcher

b. Nonsignificant results

c. Significant results that oppose those predicted by the researcher

d. Mixed results

ANS: C

Significant results opposite those predicted, if the results are valid, are an important addition

tothe body of knowledge. An example would be a study in which the researchers proposed

that

social support and ego strength were positively related. If the study showed that high social

support was related to low ego strength, the result would be the opposite of that predicted.

Suchresults, when verified by other studies, indicate that the theory being tested needs

modification and refinement. Because these types of studies can affect nursing practice, this

information is important.

(2022 NEW VERSION) @ MENTOR200

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: MCS: 594

2. The analysis of the data from a study indicates that there was a significant difference

between the two groups, which were randomly selected and composed of 100 subjects 

each. The instruments measuring stress, mood, and various scaled measures of emotion 

were well normed, widely tested, and suitable. As the researcher begins interpretation of 

the data, she discovers that during data collection one of her assistants had recorded the 

demographic itemhousehold size incorrectly, understanding the item as number of people 

who live with you. There is no way to determine which research assistant worked with 

which research subject. What effect did this wayof recording the data have on the study

findings?

a. That item cannot be analyzed as a ratio item and will have to be treated in

adifferent way.

b. None, because the numbers will be the same either way the data are collected.

c. That particular item will have to be discarded, because it can no longer

beanalyzed.

d. None, because post hoc statistical analysis will automatically adjust for this

typeof error.

ANS: A

Many activities that occur during data collection affect the meaning of study results. Did your

study have a high refusal rate for subject participation, or was the attrition high? Was the

samplesize sufficient? Did strategies for acquiring a sample eliminate important groups whose

data would have influenced the results? Did you and your research team achieve intervention

fidelitywhen the treatment was implemented? Did unforeseen events occur during the study

that might have changed or had an impact on the data? Were measurement techniques

consistent? What impact do inconsistencies have on interpreting results?

Methodological limitations result from factors such as nonrepresentative samples, weak

designs,single setting, limited control over treatment (intervention) implementation,

instruments with limited reliability and validity, limited control over data collection, and

improper use of statistical analyses. Nominal level of measurement is the lowest of the four

measurement levels or categories. It is used when data can be organized into categories of a

defined property but the categories cannot be ordered. Data that can be measured at the

ordinal level can be assigned to categories of an attribute that can be ranked. In interval level

of measurement, distances betweenintervals of the scale are numerically equal. Interval scales

(2022 NEW VERSION) @ MENTOR200

are assumed to be a continuum of values. Ratio level of measurement is the highest form of

measure and meets all the rules of the lower forms of measures.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Synthesis REF: MCS: 592

3. In a cross-sectional study, a researcher studies career trajectories in nurses over the past

twenty years. There are five correlational research hypotheses. Why are mixed results, 

relatedtosignificance of findings, to be expected?

a. The study is cross-sectional, and the economy has made bedside care a

morepractical decision over the past few years.

b. Groups across time cannot be expected to have the same responses to

careeradvancement.

c. The study is merely correlational.

d. Five statistical hypotheses are being tested; not all of these can be expected

todemonstrate statistical significance.

ANS: D

Mixed results are probably the most common outcome of studies. In this case, one variable

may uphold the characteristics predicted whereas another does not, or two dependent

measures of thesame variable may show opposite results.