A researcher is assessing the reliability of a new instrument that was constructed to measure pain perception following cardiac catheterization.
The Cronbach's alpha obtained from a pilot study of the tool was 0.35. Which evaluation does the alpha value indicate?
There is a moderate amount of inter-rater reliability for this tool.
The instrument needs revision due to a lack of internal consistency.
The tool will consistently measure pain perception in clients.
Numerous inverse relationships exist among items on the scale.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale:
Cronbach's alpha is a measure of internal consistency, not inter-rater reliability. Inter-rater reliability assesses the degree of agreement between different raters or observers, which is not applicable in this context.
Choice B rationale:
This is the correct answer. A Cronbach's alpha value of 0.35 indicates poor internal consistency for the instrument. In other words, the items in the tool do not consistently measure the same underlying construct (pain perception). A low alpha value suggests that the items in the instrument may not be reliably measuring the intended concept and that revision may be necessary to improve the tool's consistency.
Choice C rationale:
The statement "The tool will consistently measure pain perception in clients" is not supported by the low Cronbach's alpha value of 0.35. A low alpha suggests that the tool does not demonstrate consistent measurement of pain perception.
Choice D rationale:
Cronbach's alpha does not provide information about the presence of inverse relationships among items on the scale. It assesses internal consistency, which is about the degree to which items on the scale are interrelated and measure the same construct. A low alpha indicates poor internal consistency but does not specifically indicate the presence of inverse relationships.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Due to the clinical significance of this study's findings, both hospitals should replicate the study with clients in the progressive care unit. Rationale: Replicating the study in a different unit may not be necessary if the clinical significance of the findings is considered negligible. It would be more appropriate to focus on other areas of improvement rather than replicating the study.
Choice B rationale:
Although statistically significant results were found, the clinical significance was negligible, so this study should not prompt a change in current practice. Rationale: This choice provides the correct interpretation of the research findings. Statistically significant results do not always translate into clinically meaningful outcomes. In this case, while there was a statistical increase in nosocomial infection rates, the minimal impact on client complications suggests that there may not be a need for immediate changes in practice.
Choice C rationale:
Statistically significant findings place clients at Hospital A at higher risk for complications, so the intensive care unit needs to be closed and decontaminated. Rationale: Closing and decontaminating the intensive care unit is a drastic response that may not be warranted based on the study findings, which indicate minimal clinical impact.
Choice D rationale:
Nosocomial infection rates resulted in longer hospitals stays for clients at Hospital A, so re-training on infection control practices is warranted. Rationale: While infection control practices are important, the study findings do not directly indicate that re-training is warranted based on the minimal clinical impact of the increased infection rates.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
In the statement, the purpose of the research study is to examine barriers and aids to maintaining the nutritional health of community-dwelling elderly residents. "Nutritional health" is the concept or outcome that the study aims to understand or explore, making it the dependent variable. The study seeks to explore how various factors (barriers and aids) influence or affect nutritional health in elderly residents.
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