MCQ’s of Nursing Research 1

M.C.Q’s of Nursing Research

Compiled By
Dileep Kumar (Post R.N BSN, Dip: CHN, D.I.T (MSc.N))
Nursing Instructor, Ilmiya Institute of Nursing, Karachi

1. In terms of reasoning, which of the following research is dialectic & inductive?

a. Outcome research c. Quantitative research
b. Qualitative research d. None of the above
2. Which of the following research utilizes statistics to make generalization?
a. Outcome research c. Quantitative research
b. Qualitative research d. a and b only
3. Following are the elements of qualitative research except one;
a. Reductionist c. Subjective
b. Holistic d. Develop theory
4. The major reason for conducting research is to:
a. Provide nursing care to the clients
b. Promote the growth of nursing profession
c. Document the cost-effectiveness of care
d. Ensure accountability for nursing practice
5. Research Does Not means to;
a. Search again c. Create problem
b. Examine carefully d. Method of problem solving
6. Which of the following is NOT characteristic of a nursing research?
a. Development of theories, principles, and generalizations
b. Uses chaotic method of problem-solving
c. Requires full skill of writing report
d. Involves precise observation and accurate description
7. Which of the following type of research also called as a feasibility study or pilot Study?
a. Descriptive c. Correlational
b. Exploratory d. Explanatory
8. Which of the following is Not a part of research
a. Diligent study c. Refine existing knowledge
b. Unsystematic inquiry d. Validate the knowledge
9. History of nursing research began with Florence Nightingale in;
a. 1858 c. 1852
b. 1850 d. 1855
10. In 1859, Florence initial research activities which looked at the importance of leading environment
in;
a. Promoting physical well being
b. Promoting social well being
c. Promoting physical and mental well being
d. All of the above

Compiled By: Dileep Kumar (N/Instructor, I.I.N Karachi)

 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 2

11. Nursing research priorities are ;

a. To improve nursing as profession c. To improve patients’ outcome
b. To improve patient’s illness d. To improve nursing practice
12. First nursing journal “ American Journal of nursing” published in;
a. 1950 c. 1900
b. 1960 d. 1920
13. American Nurses Association (ANA) initiated 5 years study of nursing functions & activities in;
a. 1950 c. 1900
b. 1960 d. 1920
14. Which of the following is Not a type of Qualitative research in nursing?
a. Phenomenological research c. Cross sectional research
b. Grounded theory d. Historical research
15. Which of the following is Not type of Quantitative research nursing?
a. Ethnography research c. Quasi experimental
b. Descriptive research d. Experimental research
16. Which of the following is focused to examine the end results of care or finding the changes in
Patient’s health status?
a. Experimental research c. Quasi experimental research
b. Outcome research d. Cross sectional research
17. What is the basis of the Scientific Method?
a. To test hypotheses in conditions that are conducive to its success
b. To formulate a research problem and disprove the hypothesis
c. To formulate a research problem, test the hypothesis in carefully controlled conditions
that challenge the hypothesis.
d. To test hypotheses and if they are disproved, they should be abandoned completely
18. Mrs. S.K is writing her daily observations of a student and writes, without interpretation, that the
student is not completing the class work and is constantly speaking out of turn. Which of the
following objectives does she appear to be using?
a. Prediction c. Explanation
b. Description d. Exploration
19. The development of a solid foundation of reliable knowledge typically is built from which type of
research?
a. Basic Research c. Evaluation Research
b. Action Research d. Orientation Research
20. Which form of reasoning is the process of drawing a specific conclusion from a set of premises?
a. Rationalism c. Inductive Reasoning
b. Deductive Reasoning d. Probabilistic
21. Research that is done to examine the findings of someone else using the "same variables but different
people” is which of the following?
a. Exploration c. Replication
b. Hypothesis d. Empiricism
22. What are the five key objectives of science?
a. prediction, summary, conclusion, explanation, description
b. influence, prediction, questions, exploration, answers
c. exploration, description, explanation, prediction, influence
d. questions, answers, prediction, explanation, summary
Compiled By: Dileep Kumar (N/Instructor, I.I.N Karachi)
 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 3

23. ________________ is the idea that knowledge comes from experience.

a. Rationalism c. Logic
b. Deductive Reasoning d. Empiricism
24. In which of the following study Children deliberately infected with hepatitis?
a. Jewish C.D Hospital Study c. Tuskegee Syphilis study
b. Nazi medical experience. d. Willow brook Study
25. Research never occurred, but data reported is an example of?
a. Anonymity c. Scientific misconduct
b. Confidentiality d. Deception
26. Which of the following is NOT source of research problem?
a. Experience c. Poor knowledge
b. Theories d. Social issues
27. To obtain the desired data in a study, which of the following types of definition is most essential?
a. Theoretical c. Operational
b. Conceptual d. Dictionary
28. A researcher designs an experiment to test how variables interact to influence how well children learn
spelling words. In this case, the main purpose of the study was:
a. Explanation c. Influence
b. Description d. Prediction
29. Which of the following is/are the characteristic of a good theory or explanation?
a. It is parsimonious
b. It is testable
c. It is general enough to apply to more than one place, situation, or person
d. All of the above
30. Which “scientific method” follows these steps: 1) observation/data, 2) patterns, 3) theory?
a. Inductive c. retrospective
b. Deductive d. Top down
31. Which scientific method is a top-down or confirmatory approach?
a. Deductive method c. Hypothesis method
b. Inductive method d. Pattern method
32. Which scientific method is a bottom-up or generative approach to research?
a. Deductive method c. Hypothesis method
b. Inductive method d. Pattern method
33. Which scientific method focuses on testing hypotheses developed from theories?
a. Deductive method c. Hypothesis method
b. Inductive method d. Pattern method
34. Which scientific method often focuses on generating new hypotheses and theories?
a. Deductive method c. Hypothesis method
b. Inductive method d. Pattern method
35. Which of the following statements is true of a theory?
a. it most simply means “explanation”
b. it answers the “how” and “why” questions
c. it can be a well developed explanatory system
d. all of the above

Compiled By: Dileep Kumar (N/Instructor, I.I.N Karachi)

 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 4

36. Which type of research provides the strongest evidence about the existence of cause-and-effect
relationships?
a. Nonexperimental Research b. Experimental Research
37. Which research paradigm is least concerned about generalizing its findings?
a. Quantitative Research c. Mixed Research
b. Qualitative Research d. None Of The Above
38. Which of the following best describes quantitative research?
a. the collection of non-numerical data
b. an attempt to confirm the researcher’s hypotheses
c. research that is exploratory
d. research that attempts to generate a new theory
39. A condition or characteristic that can take on different values or categories is called ___.
a. A Constant c. A Cause-and-Effect Relationship
b. A Variable d. A Descriptive Relationship
40. The outcome that investigator is interested in understanding explaining, or predicting is described as:
a. Situational variable c. Independent variable
b. Dependent variable d. Extraneous variable
41. A variable that is presumed to cause a change in another variable is called a(n):
a. categorical variable c. independent variable
b. dependent variable d. intervening variable
42. All of the following are common characteristics of experimental research except:
a. It relies primarily on the collection of numerical data
b. It can produce important knowledge about cause and effect
c. It uses the deductive scientific method
d. It rarely is conducted in a controlled setting or environment
43. Qualitative research is often exploratory and has all of the following characteristics except:
a. It is typically used when a great deal is already known about the topic of interest
b. It relies on the collection of non-numerical data such as words and pictures
c. It is used to generate hypotheses and develop theory about phenomena in the world
d. It uses the inductive scientific method
44. The correlation between intelligence test scores and grades is:
a. Positive c. Perfect
b. Negative d. They are not correlated
45. It is essential that you evaluate the quality of internet resources because information obtained via the
internet ranges from very poor to very good.
a. True
b. False
46. What is the key defining characteristic of experimental research?
a. Extraneous variables are never present
b. Positive correlation usually exists
c. A negative correlation usually exists
d. Manipulation of the independent variable
47. Research that is done to understand an event from the past is known as _____?
a. Experimental Research c. Replication
b. Historical Research d. Archival Research
Compiled By: Dileep Kumar (N/Instructor, I.I.N Karachi)
 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 5

48. ______ research occurs when the researcher manipulates the independent variable.
a. causal-comparative research c. ethnography
b. experimental research d. correlational research
49. Which of the following includes examples of quantitative variables?
a. Age, Temperature, Income, Height
b. Grade Point Average, Anxiety Level, Reading Performance
c. Gender, Religion, Ethnic Group
d. Both a and b
50. Which correlation is the strongest?
a. +.10
b. -.95
c. +.90
d. - 1.00 (Rational “either strongest positive or strongest negative”)
51. Which of the following can best be described as a categorical variable?
a. Age c. Grade Point Average
b. Annual Income d. Religion
52. In research, something that does not "vary" is called a ___________.
a. Variable c. Constant
b. Method d. control group
53. The strongest evidence for causality comes from which of the following research methods?
a. Experimental c. Correlational
b. Causal-comparative d. Ethnography
54. good qualitative problem statement:
a. Defines the independent and dependent variables
b. Conveys a sense of emerging design
c. Specifies a research hypothesis to be tested
d. Specifies the relationship between variables that the researcher expects to find
55. Sometimes a comprehensive review of the literature prior to data collection is not recommended by
grounded theorists.
a. True
b. False
56. The research participants are described in detail in which section of the research plan?
a. Introduction c. Data analysis
b. Method d. Discussion
57. The statement of purpose in a research study should:
a. Identify the design of the study
b. Identify the intent or objective of the study
c. Specify the type of people to be used in the study
d. Describe the study
58. A qualitative research question:
a. Asks a question about some process, or phenomenon to be explored
b. Is generally an open-ended question
c. both a and b are correct
d. None of the above

Compiled By: Dileep Kumar (N/Instructor, I.I.N Karachi)

 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 6

59. According to the text, which of the following orders is the recommended in the flowchart of the
development of a research idea?
a. Research topic, research problem, research purpose, research question, hypothesis
b. Research topic, research purpose, research problem, research question, hypothesis
c. Research topic, research problem, research purpose, research question, hypothesis
d. Research topic, hypothesis, research problem, research question, research purpose
60. One step that is not included in planning a research study is:
a. Identifying a researchable problem
b. A review of current research
c. Statement of the research question
d. Conducting a meta-analysis of the research
e. Developing a research plan
61. Sources of researchable problems can include:
a. Researchers’ own experiences as educators
b. Practical issues that require solutions
c. Theory and past research
d. All of the above
62. Which of the following is a function of theory?
a. Integrating and summarizing current knowledge
b. Making predictions
c. Explaining phenomena
d. All of the above are important functions of theory
63. A review of the literature prior to formulating research questions allows the researcher to do which of
the following?
a. To become familiar with prior research on the phenomenon of interest
b. To identify potential methodological problems in the research area
c. To develop a list of pertinent problems relative to the phenomenon of interest
d. All of the above
64. Computer database searches can be done:
a. With a computer with CD-ROM drive c. Online
b. At the library d. All of the above
65. What is the primary approach that is used by the IRB to assess the ethical acceptability of a research
study?
a. Utilitarianism c. Ethical skepticism
b. Deontology d. Comparativeism
66. The feasibility of a research study should be considered in light of:
a. Cost and time required to conduct the study
b. Skills required of the researcher
c. Potential ethical concerns
d. All of the above
67. A formal statement of the research question or “purpose of research study” generally;
a. Is made prior to the literature review
b. Is made after the literature review
c. Will help guide the research process
d. b and c
Compiled By: Dileep Kumar (N/Instructor, I.I.N Karachi)
 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 7

68. Research hypotheses are ______.

a. Formulated prior to a review of the literature
b. Statements of predicted relationships between variables
c. Stated such that they can be confirmed or refuted
d. b and c
69. Hypotheses in qualitative research studies usually _____.
a. Are very specific and stated prior to beginning the study
b. Are often generated as the data are collected, interpreted, and analyzed
c. Are never used
d. Are always stated after the research study has been completed
70. A research plan _____.
a. Should be detailed
b. Should be given to others for review and comments
c. Sets out the rationale for a research study
d. All of the above
71. The Method section of the research plan typically specifies EXCEPT;
a. The research participants
b. The results of prior studies that address the phenomena of interest
c. The apparatus, instruments, and materials for the research study
d. The planned research procedures
72. The Introduction section of the research plan
a. Gives an overview of prior relevant studies
b. Contains a statement of the purpose of the study
c. Concludes with a statement of the research questions &, for quantitative research, it includes
the research hypothesis
d. All of the above
73. Which of the following is necessary in obtaining informed consent?
a. A description of the statistical analyses that will be carried out
b. A description of the purpose of the research
c. A description of the reliability and validity of test instruments
d. A list of publications that the researcher has had in the last ten years
74. Which of the following need(s) to be obtained when doing research with children?
a. Informed consent from the parent or guardian
b. Assent from the child if he or she is capable
c. Informed consent from the child
d. Both a and b
75. Ideally, the research participant's identity is not known to the researcher. This is called:
a. Anonymity c. Deception
b. Confidentiality d. Desensitizing
76. Which of the following is true about the use of deception in research?
a. It should never be used
b. It can be used anytime
c. If there is deception in a study, the participants may need to be debriefed
d. The use of deception must be outweighed by other benefits of the study
e. Both c and d are true
Compiled By: Dileep Kumar (N/Instructor, I.I.N Karachi)
 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 8

77. Which of the following is not an ethical guideline for conducting research with humans?
a. Getting informed consent of the participant
b. Telling participants they must continue until the study has been completed
c. Keeping participants’ identity anonymous
d. Telling participants they are free to withdraw at any time
78. ________ means that the participant's identity, although known to the researcher, is not revealed to
anyone outside of the researcher and his or her staff.
a. Anonymity
b. Confidentiality
79. Which of the following is not true?
a. Misrepresenting and creating fraudulent data is dishonest
b. Misrepresenting data is very easy to detect
c. Misrepresenting data can be difficult to detect
d. Breaking confidentiality is not a problem
80. What is it called when the participants are not revealed to any one but researcher and staff?
a. Confidentiality c. Ethics
b. Anonymity d. Discretion
81. Research participants must give what before they can participate in a study?
a. Guidelines c. Informed consent
b. A commitment d. Private information
82. Identify the term that refers to a post study interview in which all aspects of the study are revealed,
reasons for the use of deception are given, and the participants’ questions are answered?
a. Desensitizing c. Dehoaxing
b. Debriefing d. Deploying
83. A set of principles to guide and assist researchers in deciding which goals are most important and in
reconciling conflicting values when conducting research is called ____.
a. Research ethics c. Utilitarianism
b. Deontological approach d. None of the above
84. IRB is an acronym for which of the following?
a. Internal Review Board c. Institutional Review Board
b. Institutional Rating Board d. Internal Request Board
85. The act of publishing the same data and results in more than one journal or publication refers to
which of the following professional issues:
a. Partial publication c. Deception
b. Duplicate publication d. Full publication
86. Which term refers to publishing several articles from the data collected in one large study?
a. Duplicate publication c. Triplicate publication
b. Partial publication d. None of these
87. Which of the following is a right of each participant in research?
a. Deception c. Freedom to withdraw
b. Utilitarianism d. Participants have no rights
88. The use of statistics to make assumptions concerning some unknown aspect of a population from a
sample of that population is known as follow;
a. Inferential Statistics c. Descriptive Statistics
b. Parameter d. Sampling

Compiled By: Dileep Kumar (N/Instructor, I.I.N Karachi)

 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 9

89. Which of the following is not an assumption underlying testing and measurement?
a. Various approaches to measuring aspects of the same thing can be useful
b. Error is rarely present in the measurement process
c. Present-day behavior predicts future behavior
d. Testing and assessment benefit society
90. Systematic error is associated with:
a. Reliability
b. Validity
91. Which of the following generally cannot be done in qualitative studies conducted in the field?
a. Getting informed consent
b. Keeping participants from physical harm
c. Maintaining consent forms
d. Having full anonymity rather than just confidentiality
92. Which of the following is a type of criterion–related validity evidence?
a. Concurrent evidence c. Internal consistency
b. Predictive evidence d. Both a and b are correct answers
93. The actual population of study participants selected from a larger population is known as:
a. Target population c. Population
b. Accessible population d. Cluster
94. Sampling criteria may be used by Nurse to develop the desired sample. Characteristics those must be
present for a subject to be included in the sample is called:
a. Inclusion criteria c. Representativeness
b. Exclusion criteria d. Consent
95. Selection of sample in this study is an important step in doing research. A good sample is:
a. One that includes both male and female nurses
b. One that shows a balance in the number of nurses from hospital and school
c. One that is representative of the population from which it was selected
d. One that can be manipulated and controlled
96. A study in which we see the nurse’s level of education is classified in which level of measurement?
a. Nominal-scale c. Interval scale
b. Ordinal scale d. Ratio-scale
97. Which one of the following supports “reasoning moves from general to specific situation or
conclusion”?
a. Scientific reasoning c. Inductive reasoning
b. Deductive reasoning d. None of the above
98. Which one of the following is a type of nonparametric test?
a. t-test c. z-test
b. Chi-squire d. f-test
99. Which one of the following is consists of rules for assigning numbers to objects to represent
quantities of attributes?
a. Reliability c. Measurement error
b. Measurement d. Validity
100. Following are the elements of research critique EXCEPT ONE;
a. Methodological dimensions c. Ethical dimensions
b. Practical dimensions d. Interpretive dimensions
Compiled By: Dileep Kumar (N/Instructor, I.I.N Karachi)
 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 10

101. Which of the following is NOT concept of measurement theory?

a. Directness of measurement c. Feasibility
b. Reliability d. Measurement error
102. If a test measures a single construct then:
a. The items should correlate with the total score
b. The items should not correlate with the total score
c. The test should not correlate with other measures of the same construct
d. There must be a reliable alternative form.
103. An ordinal scale is used to rank order people, objects, or characteristics.
a. True
b. False
104. Which scale is the simplest form of measurement?
a. Nominal c. Interval
b. Ordinal d. Ratio
105. Let’s say that a test accurately indicates participants’ scores on a future criterion (e.g., the PSAT
is used to indicate high-school GPA scores). This test would clearly have which of the following?
a. Face validity c. Predictive validity
b. Concurrent validity d. Content validity
106. If a baseball coach calculates batting averages, what scale would be used?
a. Interval scale c. Nominal scale
b. Ratio scale d. Ordinal scale
107. Most of the outcome/dependent variable characteristics and attributes measured on educational
characteristics probably exist at the ______________ level of measurement.
a. Nominal c. Interval
b. Ordinal d. Ratio
108. Reliability is most simply known as which of the following?
a. Consistency or stability
b. Appropriateness of interpretations on the basis of test scores
c. Ways in which people are the same
d. A rank order of participants on some characteristic
109. An ordinal scale is:
a. The simplest form of measurement
b. A rank-order scale of measurement
c. A scale with equal intervals between adjacent numbers
d. A scale with an absolute zero point
e. A categorical scale
110. Which of the following is not a type of reliability?
a. Test-retest c. Content
b. Split-half d. Internal consistency
111. Which is the process of gathering evidence supporting inferences based test scores?
a. Validation c. Reliability
b. Validity d. Prediction
112. Which of these is not a method of data collection?
a. Questionnaires c. Experiments
b. Interviews d. Observations
Compiled By: Dileep Kumar (N/Instructor, I.I.N Karachi)
 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 11

113. Which of the following statements accurately describes test-retest reliability?

a. Measure of consistency of test scores over time
b. Measure of consistency of scores obtained from two equivalent halves of same test
c. Measure of consistency with which a test measures a single construct or concept
d. Measure of degree of agreement between two or more scorers, judges, or raters
114. Which of the following types of reliability refers to the consistency of test scores over time?
a. Equivalent forms reliability c. Test-retest reliability
b. Split-half reliability d. Inter-scorer reliability
115. Which one most closely refers to a judgment of the extent to which scores from a test can be used
to infer, or predict, the examinees' performance in some activity:
a. Content reliability c. Criterion-related validity
b. Face validity d. Inference validity
116. Which of the following is the correct order of Stevens’ four levels of measurement?
a. Ordinal, nominal, ratio, interval c. Interval, nominal, ordinal, ratio
b. Nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio d. Ratio, interval, nominal, ordinal
117. When evaluating tests and assessments, “reliability” refers to asking ourselves which of the
following questions?
a. Does it measure what it is supposed to measure?
b. Are there ways to avoid subjective judgments when measuring something?
c. Does it give consistent results?
d. Does it measure multiple constructs?
118. Which type of reliability refers to the consistency of a group of individuals' scores on two
equivalent forms of a test designed to measure the same characteristic?
a. Split-half c. Split-forms
b. Test-retest d. Equivalent forms
119. Which one is refers to how well the particular sample of behaviors used to measure a
characteristic reflects the entire domain of behaviors that constitutes that characteristic.
a. Construct validity evidence c. Content validity evidence
b. Criterion-related validity evidence d. Face validity evidence
120. Secondary/existing data may include which of the following?
a. Official documents c. Archived research data
b. Personal documents d. All of the above
121. Which of the following terms best describes data that were originally collected at an earlier time
by a different person for a different purpose?
a. Primary data c. Experimental data
b. Secondary data d. Field notes
122. Open-ended questions provide primarily ______ data.
a. Confirmatory data c. Predictive data
b. Qualitative data d. None of the above
123. Which of the following types of sampling involves the researcher determining the appropriate
sample sizes for the groups identified as important, and then taking convenience samples from those
groups?
a. Proportional stratified sampling c. One-stage cluster sampling
b. Quota sampling d. Two-stage cluster sampling

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 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 12

124. When each member of a population has an equally likely chance of being selected, this is called:
a. A nonrandom sampling method c. A snowball sample
b. A quota sample d. A Random Sample
125. Researchers use both open-ended and closed-ended questions to collect data. Which of the
following statements is true?
a. Open-ended questions directly provide quantitative data based on the researcher’s
predetermined response categories
b. Closed-ended questions provide quantitative data in the participant’s own words
c. Open-ended questions provide qualitative data in the participant’s own words
d. Closed-ended questions directly provide qualitative data in the participants’ own words
126. Which of the following techniques yields a simple random sample?
a. Choosing volunteers from an introductory psychology class to participate
b. Listing the individuals by ethnic group and choosing a proportion from within each ethnic
group at random.
c. Numbering all the elements of a sampling frame and then using a random number table
to pick cases from the table.
d. Randomly selecting schools, and then sampling everyone within the school.
127. Which of the following is not true about stratified random sampling?
a. It involves a random selection process from identified subgroups
b. Proportions of groups in the sample must always match their population proportions
c. Disproportional stratified random sampling is especially helpful for getting large enough
subgroup samples when subgroup comparisons are to be done
d. Proportional stratified random sampling yields a representative sample
128. Which of the following statements are true?
a. The larger the sample size, the greater the sampling error
b. The more categories or breakdowns you want to make in your data analysis, the larger
the sample needed
c. The fewer categories or breakdowns you want to make in your data analysis, the larger the
sample needed
d. As sample size decreases, so does the size of the confidence interval
129. Which of the following formulae is used to determine how many people to include in the original
sampling?
a. Desired sample size/Desired sample size + 1
b. Proportion likely to respond/desired sample size
c. Proportion likely to respond/population size
d. Desired sample size/Proportion likely to respond
130. Which of the following is not a form of probability sampling?
a. Simple random sampling c. Purposive sampling
b. Systematic sampling d. Cluster sampling
131. Which of the following is not a form of nonrandom sampling?
a. Snowball sampling c. Quota sampling
b. Stratified sampling d. Purposive sampling
132. People who are available, volunteer, or can be easily recruited are used in the sampling method
called ______.
a. Simple random sampling c. Systematic sampling
b. Cluster sampling d. Convenience sampling

Compiled By: Dileep Kumar (N/Instructor, I.I.N Karachi)

 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 13

133. Which of the following will give a more “accurate” representation of the population from which a
sample has been taken?
a. A large sample based on the convenience sampling technique
b. A small sample based on simple random sampling
c. A large sample based on simple random sampling
d. A small cluster sample
134. Sampling in qualitative research is similar to which type of sampling in quantitative research?
a. Simple random sampling c. Quota sampling
b. Systematic sampling d. Purposive sampling
135. Which of the following would generally require the largest sample size?
a. Cluster sampling c. Systematic sampling
b. Simple random sampling d. Proportional stratified sampling
136. In which of the following nonrandom sampling techniques does the researcher ask the research
participants to identify other potential research participants?
a. Snowball c. Purposive
b. Convenience d. Quota
137. If we took the 500 nursing students attending a school in Karachi, divided them by gender, and
then took a random sample of the males and a random sampling of the females, the variable on which
we would divide the population is called the _____.
a. Independent variable c. Stratification variable
b. Dependent variable d. Sampling variable
138. The type of sampling in which each member of the population selected for the sample is returned
to the population before the next member is selected is called _________.
a. Sampling without replacement c. Simple random sampling
b. Sampling with replacement d. Systematic sampling
139. Which of the following would usually require the smallest sample size because of its efficiency?
a. One stage cluster sampling c. Two stage cluster sampling
b. Simple random sampling d. Quota sampling
140. The process of drawing a sample from a population is known as _________.
a. Sampling c. Survey research
b. Census d. None of the above
141. Which of the following sampling methods is the best way to select a group of people for a study
if you are interested in making statements about the larger population?
a. Convenience sampling c. Purposive sampling
b. Quota sampling d. Random sampling
142. Which one is a set of elements taken from a larger population according to certain rules?
a. Sample c. Statistic
b. Population d. Element
143. Determining the sample interval (represented by k), randomly selecting a number between 1 and
k, and including each kth element in your sample are the steps for which form of sampling?
a. Simple Random Sampling c. Systematic Sampling
b. Stratified Random Sampling d. Cluster sampling
144. The nonrandom sampling type that involves selecting a convenience sample from a population
with a specific set of characteristics for your research study is called _____.
a. Convenience sampling c. Purposive sampling
b. Quota sampling d. Snowball sampling
Compiled By: Dileep Kumar (N/Instructor, I.I.N Karachi)
 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 14

145. When a extraneous variable systematically varies with the independent variable and influences
the dependent variable, it is called:
a. Another dependent variable c. A moderating variable
b. A confounding variable d. An unreliable variable
146. Which type of validity refers to the degree to which you can infer that the relationship between
two variables is causal?
a. Internal validity c. Ecological validity
b. Population validity d. Statistical conclusion validity
147. An extraneous variable that systematically varies with the independent variable and also
influences the dependent variable is known as a _______________.
a. Confounding variable c. Second variable
b. Third variable d. Both a and b are correct
148. The use of multiple observers to allow cross-checking of observations to make sure that the
investigators agree with what took place is known as
a. Interpretive validity c. Multiple operationalism
b. Researcher bias d. Investigator triangulation
149. Which one refers to physical or mental changes that may occur within individuals over time, such
as aging, learning, boredom, hunger, and fatigue?
a. Instrumentation c. Maturation
b. History d. Testing
150. What type of validity refers to the extent to which the results of a study can be generalized across
time?
a. Ecological validity c. Internal validity
b. External validity d. Temporal validity
151. The use of multiple data sources to help understand a phenomenon is one strategy that is used to
promote qualitative research validity. Which of the following terms describes this strategy?
a. Data matching c. Data triangulation
b. Pattern matching d. Data feedback
152. What is another term that refers to a confounding extraneous variable?
a. Last variable c. Third variable
b. First variable d. Fourth variable
153. Which of the following refers to any systematic change that occurs over time in the way in which
the dependent variable is assessed?
a. Instrumentation c. Testing
b. Maturation d. Selection
154. Which strategy used to promote qualitative research validity uses multiple research methods to
study a phenomenon?
a. Data triangulation c. Theory triangulation
b. Methods triangulation d. Member checking
155. In study design threats, If Subjects’ behavior may be affected by characteristics of the researchers
is known as:
a. Measurement effect c. Novelty effect
b. Experimenter effect d. Expectancy effect
156. Which of the following in not one of the key threats to internal validity?
a. Maturation c. Temporal change
b. Instrumentation d. History

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 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 15

157. Which is not a direct threat to the internal validity of a research design?
a. History c. Sampling error
b. Testing d. Differential selection
158. Internal validity refers to which of the following?
a. The ability to infer that a casual relationship exists between 2 variables
b. The extent to which study results can be generalized to and across populations of persons,
settings, and times
c. The use of effective measurement instruments in the study
d. The ability to generalize the study results to individuals not included in the study
159. The posttest-only design with nonequivalent groups is likely to control for which of the
following threats to internal validity:
a. History c. additive and interactive effects
b. Differential selection d. differential attrition
160. Which of the following designs permits a comparison of pretest scores to determine the initial
equivalence of groups on the pretest before the treatment variable is introduced into the research
setting.
a. One-group pretest-posttest design
b. Pretest-posttest control group design
c. Posttest-only design with nonequivalent groups
d. Both b and c
161. Which of the following control techniques available to the researcher controls for both known and
unknown variables?
a. Building the extraneous variable into the design
b. Matching
c. Random assignment
d. Analysis of covariance
162. The group that does not receive the experimental treatment condition is the ________.
a. Experimental group c. Treatment group
b. Control group d. Independent group
163. There are a number of ways in which confounding extraneous variables can be controlled. Which
control technique is considered to be the best?
a. Random assignment c. Counterbalancing
b. Matching d. None of the above
164. In an experimental research study, the primary goal is to isolate and identify the effect produced
by the ____.
a. Dependent variable c. Independent variable
b. Extraneous variable d. Confounding variable
165. Which one of the following research tests hypotheses and theories in order to explain how and
why a phenomenon operates as it does?
a. Descriptive c. Explanatory
b. Predictive d. Exploratory
166. If a research finding is statistically significant, then ____.
a. The observed result is probably not due to chance
b. The observed result cannot possibly be due to chance
c. The observed result is probably a chance result
d. The null hypothesis of “no relationship” is probably true
Compiled By: Dileep Kumar (N/Instructor, I.I.N Karachi)
 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 16

167. When a researcher starts with the dependent variable and moves backwards, it is called.
a. Predictive research c. Exploratory research
b. Retrospective research d. Descriptive research
168. Which approach is the strongest for establishing that a relationship is causal?
a. Causal-comparative c. Experimental
b. Correlational d. Historical
169. Following are the threats to internal validity Except one;
a. Novelty Effect c. Selection
b. History d. Maturation
170. The degree to which the components of the research reflect the theory, concept, or variable under
study is termed as;
a. Design Validity c. Internal validity
b. Threats to Validity d. External validity
171. Which of the following is NOT a purpose of descriptive studies?
a. To serve as a starting point for hypothesis generation
b. To get rigorous control of the variables
c. To serve as a starting point for theory development
d. To observe, describe, & document aspects of a situation as it naturally occurs
172. Which of the following attempts to understand relationships among phenomena as they naturally
occur, without any intervention?
a. Ex post facto research c. Prospective design
b. Experimental research d. Retrospective design
173. The nursing community’s interest in qualitative research began in;
a. Late 1910’s c. Late 1950’s
b. Late 1930’s d. Late 1970’s
174. Which of the following is characteristic of qualitative research?
a. Generalization to the population c. Unique case orientation
b. Random sampling d. Standardized tests and measures
175. Which of the following is a characteristic of qualitative research?
a. Design flexibility c. Context sensitivity
b. Inductive analysis d. All of the above
176. Which of the following is usually not a characteristic of qualitative research?
a. Design flexibility c. Naturalistic inquiry
b. Dynamic systems d. Deductive design
177. Which of the following focuses on individuals’ interpretation of their experience & the ways in
which they express them?
a. Historical research c. Grounded theory
b. Phenomenological Research d. Ethnography Research
178. Which of the following is not phase of qualitative research?
a. Orientation and overview c. Conformation and Closure
b. Focused exploration d. Orientation and closure
179. A research is undertaken to answer questions about causes, effects, or trends relating to past
events that may shed light on present behaviors or practices is called as;
a. Historical research c. Grounded theory
b. Phenomenological Research d. Ethnography Research

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 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 17

180. Following are the major types of triangulation EXCEPT ONE;

a. Data Triangulation c. Method Triangulation
b. Time Triangulation d. Theory Triangulation
181. Which of the following has contributed to the development of many middle range theories of
phenomena relevant to nurses?
a. Historical research c. Grounded theory
b. Phenomenological Research d. Ethnography Research
182. Which of the following refers to use of more than one theoretical position in interpreting data?
a. Data Triangulation c. Method Triangulation
b. Time Triangulation d. Theory Triangulation
183. Phenomenology has its disciplinary origins in:
a. Philosophy c. Sociology
b. Anthropology d. Many disciplines
184. The primary data analysis approach in ethnography is:
a. Open, axial, and selective coding
b. Holistic description and search for cultural themes
c. Cross-case analysis
d. Identifying essences of a phenomenon
185. The term used to describe suspending preconceptions and learned feelings about a phenomenon is
called:
a. Axial coding c. Bracketing
b. Design flexibility d. Ethnography
186. ________ is a study of human consciousness and individuals’ experience of some phenomenon.
a. Phenomenology c. Grounded theory
b. Ethnography d. Case study research
187. ________ is a general methodology for developing theory that is based on data systematically
gathered and analyzed.
a. Theory confirmation c. Theory deduction
b. Grounded theory d. phenomenology
188. In which qualitative research approach is the primary goal to gain access to individuals’ inner
worlds of experience?
a. Phenomenology c. Grounded theory
b. Ethnography d. Case study
189. The type of qualitative research that describes the culture of a group of people is called;
a. Phenomenology c. Ethnography
b. Grounded theory d. Case study
190. What term refers to the insider's perspective?
a. Ethnocentrism c. Etic perspective
b. Emic perspective d. Holism
191. A researcher studies a Kashmiri group for a six month period to learn all about them so he can
write a book about that particular tribe. What type of research will he likely be conducting?
a. Ethnography c. Grounded theory
b. Phenomenology d. Collective case study

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 MCQ’s of Nursing Research 18

192. _________ is used to describe cultural scenes or the cultural characteristics of a group of people.
a. Phenomenology
b. Ethnography
c. Grounded theory
d. Instrumental case study
193. Which of the following is not one of the 4 major approaches to qualitative research?
a. Ethnography
b. Phenomenology
c. Case study
d. Nonexperimental
194. Which of the following is known as a clear statement of the specific aim or goal of the study
a. Research Question
b. Research objective
c. Research Purpose
d. Research Problem
195. Tuskegee Syphilis study was conducted in which of the following year.
a. 1930 c. 1932
b. 1940 d. 1942
196. Medical experiments conduct on prisoners of war and racially valueless persons is named as;
a. Jewish C.D Hospital Study
b. Nazi medical experience.
c. Tuskegee Syphilis study
d. Willow brook Study
197. A hypothesis which states the relationship among three or more variables is called as
a. Simple Hypothesis
b. Complex Hypothesis
c. Research Hypothesis
d. Non directional Hypothesis
198. Which of the following is not an element of the ethical research?
a. Protecting subjects rights
b. Obtaining informed consent
c. Obtaining institutional approval
d. Unbalancing the benefits and the risk in the study
199. Misinforming the subjects for the research purposes is called as follow?
a. Anonymity
b. Confidentiality
c. Scientific misconduct
d. Deception
200. A hypothesis that States the nature (positive or negative) of the interaction between two or more
variables is called
a. Associated Hypothesis
b. Casual Hypothesis
c. Null Hypothesis
d. Directional Hypothesis

Compiled By: Dileep Kumar (N/Instructor, I.I.N Karachi)