PBC Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A researcher uses a grounded theory approach to study how fathers experience stillbirth. Which data collection method is most consistent with this methodology?
- Structured surveys with Likert scales
- In-depth iterative interviews with constant comparative analysis (Correct answer)
- Randomized pre- and post-test questionnaires
- Retrospective chart reviews
Correct answer: In-depth iterative interviews with constant comparative analysis
Grounded theory relies on iterative interviews and constant comparative analysis to develop theory from participants' lived experiences.
Question 2: In a perinatal bereavement study, internal validity is MOST threatened by which of the following?
- A large, diverse sample
- Participants dropping out disproportionately from the intervention group (Correct answer)
- Use of validated grief assessment tools
- Random assignment to groups
Correct answer: Participants dropping out disproportionately from the intervention group
Differential attrition (participants dropping out more from one group) threatens internal validity by creating non-equivalent groups.
Question 3: Which level of evidence is typically considered the STRONGEST for determining the effectiveness of a bereavement intervention?
- Expert opinion and clinical anecdote
- Single well-designed randomized controlled trial
- Systematic review with meta-analysis of multiple RCTs (Correct answer)
- Descriptive cohort study
Correct answer: Systematic review with meta-analysis of multiple RCTs
Systematic reviews with meta-analysis synthesize results from multiple RCTs, providing the highest level of evidence in most hierarchies.
Question 4: A bereavement coordinator wants to implement a memory-making protocol but finds the existing literature is based solely on nurse satisfaction surveys. This evidence gap suggests the need for:
- Immediate adoption of the protocol based on available data
- A feasibility study followed by controlled outcome research (Correct answer)
- Abandonment of memory-making as a practice
- Replacement of nurse surveys with physician surveys
Correct answer: A feasibility study followed by controlled outcome research
When evidence is limited to satisfaction surveys, a staged research approach—feasibility first, then controlled outcomes—builds the evidence base responsibly.
Question 5: A PBC candidate reviews a qualitative study using purposive sampling of bereaved mothers. The MAIN advantage of purposive sampling in this context is:
- It allows generalization to all bereaved mothers
- It eliminates researcher bias entirely
- It selects participants who can provide rich, relevant information (Correct answer)
- It requires a larger sample than random sampling
Correct answer: It selects participants who can provide rich, relevant information
Purposive sampling deliberately selects information-rich cases to maximize understanding of the phenomenon under study.
Question 6: Which statistical concept describes the probability of detecting a true effect in a bereavement intervention study if one actually exists?
- Effect size
- Statistical power (Correct answer)
- Confidence interval
- P-value
Correct answer: Statistical power
Statistical power is the probability that a study will detect a true effect when it exists, and is influenced by sample size and effect size.
Question 7: A hospital's bereavement program is evaluated using a pre-post design without a control group. The MAJOR limitation of this design is:
- It cannot measure change over time
- It is unable to distinguish program effects from natural grief resolution (Correct answer)
- It requires too large a sample
- It is inappropriate for sensitive populations
Correct answer: It is unable to distinguish program effects from natural grief resolution
Without a control group, pre-post designs cannot rule out that observed changes resulted from the passage of time rather than the intervention.
PBC Research Methods & Evidence-Based Practice 2
A researcher uses a grounded theory approach to study how fathers experience stillbirth.
Which data collection method is most consistent with this methodology?