SCS Research Methods in Spiritual Care 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which statistical test is most appropriate to compare spiritual well-being scores between three different religious groups (Christian, Jewish, Muslim)?
- Independent samples t-test
- Chi-square test
- One-way ANOVA (Correct answer)
- Pearson correlation
Correct answer: One-way ANOVA
One-way ANOVA compares means across three or more independent groups, making it appropriate for this three-group comparison.
Question 2: A chaplain researcher conducts a study at a single Catholic hospital. The primary limitation this creates is:
- Too large a sample size
- Limited generalizability to non-Catholic or multi-faith settings (Correct answer)
- Inability to collect quantitative data
- Violation of informed consent
Correct answer: Limited generalizability to non-Catholic or multi-faith settings
A single-site study in a religiously homogeneous setting limits how broadly the findings can be applied to diverse populations and contexts.
Question 3: The Standards of Practice for Professional Chaplaincy emphasize evidence-based practice primarily to:
- Increase chaplain billable hours
- Ensure spiritual care is grounded in research demonstrating effectiveness (Correct answer)
- Eliminate non-Christian spiritual care models
- Standardize prayer practices across denominations
Correct answer: Ensure spiritual care is grounded in research demonstrating effectiveness
Evidence-based chaplaincy integrates best available research with clinical expertise and patient values to improve care quality.
Question 4: In a chart review study, a researcher finds that patients who received chaplain visits had shorter ICU stays. Without random assignment, this finding demonstrates:
- Definitive causation
- Association, not causation (Correct answer)
- Statistical significance implies clinical significance
- The chaplain intervention is ready for widespread implementation
Correct answer: Association, not causation
Observational studies without randomization can identify associations but cannot establish a causal relationship due to potential confounders.
Question 5: Which qualitative analysis method involves identifying the storyline or narrative arc that gives meaning to a patient's spiritual journey?
- Content analysis
- Narrative analysis (Correct answer)
- Thematic analysis
- Discourse analysis
Correct answer: Narrative analysis
Narrative analysis focuses on the structure, sequence, and meaning of stories told by participants about their experiences.
Question 6: A spiritual care researcher applying the Salutogenic model (Antonovsky) would frame research questions around:
- What causes spiritual pathology in patients
- What resources support patients in moving toward health and meaning (Correct answer)
- How to diagnose spiritual disorders using DSM criteria
- Which medications reduce spiritual distress
Correct answer: What resources support patients in moving toward health and meaning
The Salutogenic model focuses on factors that promote health and well-being (salutogenesis) rather than on disease causation (pathogenesis).
Question 7: When calculating the sample size needed for a spiritual care RCT, which factor does NOT directly influence the required number of participants?
- Desired statistical power
- Expected effect size
- Significance level (alpha)
- The chaplain's years of experience (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The chaplain's years of experience
Sample size calculations are based on power, effect size, and alpha; the chaplain's experience is a provider characteristic unrelated to statistical sample size determination.
SCS Research Methods in Spiritual Care 5
Which statistical test is most appropriate to compare spiritual well-being scores between three different religious groups (Christian, Jewish, Muslim)?