Which hypothesis is non-directional?
There will be a greater weight loss among dieting patients who receive a weekly supportive telephone call from a dietitian than among dieting patients who do not receive a weekly supportive phone call.
Hospitals with an infection-control nurse will have fewer instances of sepsis among inpatients than hospitals without an infection-control nurse.
There will be a difference in stage of disease for prostate cancer among men who had an abnormal prostate-specific antigen screening compared with men who had an abnormal digital rectal examination screening.
Children who receive weekly counseling for 1 year after the death of a parent will perform better in school than children who do not receive weekly counseling after the death of a parent.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
This hypothesis is directional because it explicitly predicts the nature and path of the outcome. By using the term greater weight loss, it specifies that one group will outperform the other based on the intervention of a supportive telephone call. In directional hypotheses, the researcher commits to a specific expected increase or decrease in the dependent variable. This narrows the focus of the statistical test to one end of the distribution, reflecting a specific clinical expectation.
Choice B rationale
This statement represents a directional hypothesis because it uses the comparative term fewer instances. It predicts that the presence of an infection-control nurse will lead to a specific reduction in the rate of sepsis. Directional hypotheses are often based on existing theory or previous empirical evidence suggesting a particular benefit. By stating that one condition is superior to another in preventing a negative outcome, the researcher provides a clear, biased path for the expected statistical results.
Choice C rationale
This hypothesis is non-directional because it states there will be a difference without specifying the nature, direction, or magnitude of that difference. It does not predict which group will have a more advanced stage of disease; it simply posits that the two groups will not be equal. This approach is used when the researcher lacks sufficient evidence to predict a specific outcome or when the goal is to remain strictly objective about any potential variation discovered.
Choice D rationale
This is a directional hypothesis because it utilizes the evaluative term perform better to describe the expected academic outcome for children receiving counseling. It clearly indicates that the intervention group is expected to have higher achievement scores than the control group. Such hypotheses are common when the researcher is testing the efficacy of a supportive intervention and expects a positive correlation between the treatment and the children's school performance over a one-year period.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Current academic standards generally recommend reviewing literature from the most recent 3 to 5 years to ensure the information is contemporary and relevant. In rapidly evolving fields like healthcare and technology, older data may no longer reflect the current state of science or clinical best practices. This timeframe captures the latest breakthroughs, updated guidelines, and recent peer-reviewed evidence. Staying within this window helps the researcher maintain clinical relevance and address the most pressing current issues.
Choice B rationale
Going back 12 to 15 years is generally considered too long for a standard literature search unless the researcher is conducting a historical analysis. Most scientific findings and nursing protocols are updated much more frequently than every decade. Relying on such old data increases the risk of including obsolete practices or disproven theories in a modern project. Unless a seminal work was published during that period, this range lacks the necessary currency for contemporary evidence-based practice.
Choice C rationale
A search limited to the last 6 months to 2 years is often too narrow and might result in missing significant foundational studies or trends. While very current, this window might not provide enough depth to understand the progression of a research topic or to establish a solid theoretical framework. Research projects need a broader base to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. Consequently, this short timeframe is usually reserved for very specific, high-speed updates.
Choice D rationale
While a 6 to 10 year range provides more context than a 2-year window, it still risks including outdated information that has been superseded by newer studies. In many disciplines, the half-life of knowledge is short, meaning half of what is known becomes obsolete within five years. A ten-year-old study might use diagnostic criteria or technologies that are no longer in use. Therefore, while sometimes acceptable, it is less ideal than the standard 3 to 5 year benchmark.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A concept is a basic building block of theory representing an abstract idea or a mental image of a phenomenon, such as pain or health. While concepts are essential components of models, a single concept is not a graphic or symbolic representation of multiple interrelationships. It is the raw material that researchers define to describe specific aspects of reality. It lacks the structural complexity required to visualize how various different constructs interact within a larger framework.
Choice B rationale
An operational definition specifies the precise procedures or tools used to measure a variable within a specific study. For example, defining obesity as a body mass index greater than 30 is an operational definition. Its purpose is to make abstract concepts measurable and observable for data collection. It provides a concrete link between a concept and its measurement but does not serve as a symbolic or graphic map illustrating the connections between multiple phenomena.
Choice C rationale
A conceptual definition provides the theoretical or dictionary-like meaning of a concept, explaining what it represents in a general sense. It helps establish the scope of a variable but does not provide a visual or symbolic framework. Conceptual definitions are linguistic rather than graphic. They clarify what a researcher means by a term like quality of life but do not show the pathways or linkages between that term and other related constructs in a system.
Choice D rationale
A model is a symbolic representation, often visual or mathematical, that depicts the structure and functional relationships between various phenomena. It allows researchers and readers to visualize how abstract constructs such as stress, coping, and health outcomes interact. By using diagrams, arrows, and symbols, a model provides a holistic view of a theory or process. It simplifies complex realities into a readable format that helps explain the underlying mechanisms of things not directly observable.
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