Chapter 12: Critical Appraisal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research for Nursing Practice

Chapter 12: Critical Appraisal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research for Nursing Practice

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. The goal of a critical appraisal should be to:

a.	determine where faults exist in the study design.
b.	evaluate whether a proposed study is feasible.
c.	identify the meaning and credibility of the study.
d.	review the credentials and expertise of the researcher.

 

 

ANS:  C

 

	Feedback
A	Identifying faults in the study design is part of a critical appraisal but not the end goal.
B	Reviewers conduct feasibility analyses prior to approval of a study.
C	An intellectual critical appraisal involves careful examination of all aspects of a study to judge the strengths, weaknesses, meaning, credibility, and significance of a study.
D	Evaluating the researcher’s credentials is part of a critical appraisal but not the end goal.

 

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive level: Analyzing (Analysis)

REF:   pp. 362-363

 

2. When critically appraising a research study, the reviewer will expect to find:

a.	identification of new research problems.
b.	implementation of a perfect research design.
c.	precise understanding of the real world.
d.	tools to control outcomes in nursing practice.

 

 

ANS:  A

 

	Feedback
A	Good scientific inquiry will likely include identification of additional problems.
B	There is no perfect research design. All studies have flaws.
C	Although an improved understanding of the real world is realistic, no study will lead to precise understandings of the real world.
D	Experimental research strives to predict and control outcomes in practice, but each study only leads to improvements in this ability.

 

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive level: Understanding (Comprehension)

REF:   pp. 362-363

 

3. How do practicing nurses participate in critical appraisal of research?

a.	By adhering to evidence-based practice guidelines and best practices
b.	By presenting findings from their own outcomes research
c.	By questioning the quality, credibility, and meaning of studies
d.	By reading research journals to keep current in knowledge and practice

 

 

ANS:  C

 

	Feedback
A	Using EBP guidelines and best practices are part of research translation but are not part of critical appraisal.
B	Presenting research findings and reading research journals are part of research utilization but are not part of critical appraisal.
C	In order for critical appraisal to occur, nurses need to question the quality of the studies, the credibility of the findings, and the meaning of the findings for practice.
D	Presenting research findings and reading research journals are part of research utilization but are not part of critical appraisal.

 

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying (Application)

REF:   p. 363

 

4. What will the reviewer do during the evaluation portion of a critical appraisal of a research study?

a.	Assess whether the measurement tools are consistent with the phenomena of interest
b.	Determine whether the study findings are meaningful and should be implemented in practice
c.	Discuss the statistical analysis of the study’s findings including demographic and experimental data
d.	Review the components of the study to gain an overall understanding of the study report

 

 

ANS:  B

 

	Feedback
A	Analysis involves identifying incongruence between the phenomenon of interest and the measurement tool.
B	During the evaluation of a critical appraisal, the reviewer determines the credibility and meaning of a study and decides whether the findings are relevant to practice.
C	Reviewing statistical data is part of the methodology review.
D	The reviewer reads through a study for comprehension to gain an overall understanding at the beginning of the critique.

 

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive level: Analyzing (Analysis)

REF:   p. 363

 

5. When reading a research article in a refereed journal, the nurse researcher is assured that the article:

a.	describes a study undergoing review.
b.	has been previously published.
c.	is printed in abstract form only.
d.	is of high quality and standards.

 

 

ANS:  D

 

	Feedback
A	Articles published in refereed journals have already undergone review.
B	Refereed journals contain new research not previously published.
C	Articles published in refereed journals include abstracts as well as a full report of the study.
D	Journals that are refereed are critically appraised by expert peer reviews and tend to be of high quality.

 

 

PTS:   1                    DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying (Application)

REF:   p. 364