Author Question: A knowledge gap is identified by a nurse researcher. Which of the following may NOT necessarily ... (Read 66 times)

asan beg · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

A knowledge gap is identified by a nurse researcher. Which of the following may NOT necessarily represent a knowledge gap?

a. A literature search that shows that no quantitative research, but only qualitative research, exists in the area.
b. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) identify the area as one of research priority.
c. The phenomenon of interest is a new disease, just identified in Phoenix, Arizona.
d. There is one study examining a new intervention, but the research has not yet been replicated.

Question 2

A research study contains the question,

Can the application of twice-daily cortisone in the period from 6 to 10 weeks postoperatively produce significantly increased range of motion in 50- to 60-year-old rotator-cuff repair patients at the six-month mark? The study is _____ research.
a. Ethnographic
b. Historical
c. Experimental
d. Basic

rachel · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The lack of quantitative research may mean only that the phenomenon or idea of the research is not suited for quantitative research, since some concepts are suitable only for qualitative enquiry. By questioning and reviewing the literature, researchers begin to recognize a specific area of concern and the knowledge gap that surrounds it. The knowledge gap, or what is not known about this clinical problem, determines the complexity and number of studies needed to generate essential knowledge for nursing practice. Since 1975, expert researchers, specialty groups, professional organizations, and funding agencies have identified nursing research priorities.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Experimental studies are conducted in highly controlled settings and under highly controlled conditions to determine the effect of one or more independent variables on one or more dependent variables. An experimental research question takes the form of, Does provision of increased A have an effect on B? where the study variables are A and B, the relationship is a change in A and its effect on B, and the question ends with a question mark.