Chapter 09: Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs

Chapter 09: Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. The nurse is critiquing a research study that used an experimental design. How can the nurse determine if the study’s results are able to infer causality?

a.	The relationship between independent and dependent variables must be reciprocal.
b.	The relationship between independent and dependent variables must not be explainable by any other variable.
c.	Both independent and dependent variables should be characterized by reactive effects.
d.	Both independent and dependent variables should change as a result of the treatment.

 

 

ANS:  B

 

	Feedback
A	The relationship between independent and dependent variables is not necessarily reciprocal.
B	Critical to causality is the control of extraneous variables that may influence changes in the dependent variable.
C	Reactive effects are the subjects’ responses to being studied, which interfere with establishing a cause-and-effect relationship.
D	In a cause-and-effect relationship, the independent variable changes the dependent variable.

 

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)             REF:   Page 183

 

2. The nurse is critiquing a research study that involves subjects undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Which finding would meet a criterion for inferring causality between performance of exercise and adaptive behavior of the subjects receiving chemotherapy?

a.	Adaptive behavior began before the exercise program was initiated.
b.	Adaptive behavior occurred in the control group over time.
c.	The level of adaptive behavior increased in direct proportion to an increase in the intensity of the exercise.
d.	No difference in adaptive behavior was observed between subjects in the experimental group and subjects in the control group.

 

 

ANS:  C

 

	Feedback
A	A change in the dependent variable before treatment began would interfere with a cause-and-effect explanation of change.
B	A change in adaptive behavior in the control (no treatment) group would interfere with a cause-and-effect explanation of change.
C	Causality is supported by a clear proportional change in the dependent variable (adaptive behavior) following a clear proportional change in the independent variable (exercise).
D	A lack of difference between groups would indicate that the independent variable (treatment) was not causally related to change in the dependent variable.

 

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)                           REF:   Page 183

 

3. The experimental treatment initiated by a researcher can be described as what kind of variable?

a.	Independent
b.	Dependent
c.	Extraneous
d.	Outcome

 

 

ANS:  A

 

	Feedback
A	The experimental treatment is the independent variable.
B	The dependent variable is the outcome variable.
C	An extraneous or intervening variable can interfere with establishing causality between the independent and dependent variable.
D	The outcome variable is the dependent variable.

 

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)                    REF:   Page 183

 

4. Which of these criteria is most important when evaluating the results of an experimental research study?

a.	The size of the experimental group compared with the size of the control group.
b.	The validity that the experimental treatment caused the desired effect on the outcome.
c.	The congruence of research questions to the purpose and hypotheses.
d.	The ability of the researcher to apply the findings to clinical or practice settings.

 

 

ANS:  B

 

	Feedback
A	Although the groups should not be markedly different in size, findings of an experimental study are not ultimately judged by comparing group sizes.
B	The validity of experimental study results depends on how well the researcher has controlled alternative explanatory variables.
C	Although important, congruence of research questions, hypotheses, etc., is not the ultimate criterion for evaluating an experimental effect.
D	Clinical applicability does not guarantee the validity of experimental results.

 

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)             REF:   Page 183