INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

1. Which of the following best defines research?

• A. The collection of random information for academic purposes.
  
  
  

• B. A systematic process of inquiry aimed at generating or validating knowledge.

• C. Routine data gathering for hospital reports.

• D. A personal reflection on clinical experience.

2. In quantitative research, which design is most appropriate to identify cause-and-effect relationships?

• A. Phenomenological design
  
  
  

• B. Descriptive study

• C. Experimental or quasi-experimental design

• D. Ethnographic design

3. Which statement best represents a qualitative research objective?

• A. To measure nurses’ compliance rate with infection control protocols.
  
  
  

• B. To explore nurses’ lived experiences in managing obstetric emergencies.

• C. To determine the relationship between stress and medication errors.

• D. To compare pre- and post-training test scores on pain assessment knowledge.

4. What distinguishes mixed methods research from purely qualitative or quantitative approaches?

• A. It collects both numerical and narrative data to provide comprehensive understanding.
  
  

• B. It focuses only on theoretical perspectives.

• C. It uses secondary data instead of primary data.

• D. It avoids statistical analysis completely.

5. Which of the following best describes a research problem?

• A. A broad topic of interest.
  
  
  

• B. A clear statement of an existing issue supported by evidence.

• C. A random observation made in clinical practice.

• D. A personal opinion on a current healthcare trend.

6. The term knowledge gap refers to:

• A. The distance between theory and practice.

• B. The missing or incomplete information identified through literature review.

• C. A researcher’s lack of skill in data analysis.

• D. The absence of ethical approval.

7. Which of the following is the most appropriate SMART objective?

• A. To study nurses’ stress.

• B. To improve knowledge of infection control.

• C. To evaluate nurses’ hand hygiene compliance within three months after an educational intervention.

• D. To know whether nurses are following the protocol.

8. Which of the following verbs is most suitable for writing measurable research objectives?

• A. Understand

• B. Appreciate

• C. Determine

• D. Realise

9. What is the relationship between the research problem, gap, and objective?

• A. The problem identifies what is wrong; the gap shows what is missing; the objective outlines what will be done to address it.

• B. They are three terms for the same concept.

• C. The objective always precedes the problem.

• D. The gap is unrelated to the problem.

10. A qualitative researcher exploring nurses’ coping mechanisms during obstetric emergencies is likely to use which approach?

• A. Correlational design

• B. Experimental design

• C. Phenomenological approach

• D. Quasi-experimental design