Nursing Elites

1. By using which method of assignment of participants to treatment conditions, investigators increase the chances that participants' characteristics will be equally distributed across treatment groups?

• A. sequential
• B. random
• C. systematic
• D. correlational

Correct answer: B

Rationale: By using random assignment of participants to treatment conditions, investigators increase the chances that participants' characteristics will be equally distributed across treatment groups. Random assignment helps reduce the likelihood of bias in the selection process and ensures that any differences between groups are due to the treatment and not pre-existing group differences. Sequential, systematic, and correlational assignment methods do not provide the same level of assurance in distributing participants' characteristics equally across treatment groups.

2. How does physical activity impact mental health?

• A. Reduces anxiety and depression
• B. Improves mood, but decreases alertness
• C. Decreases mood, alertness, and energy
• D. Decreases neural activity in the cerebral cortex

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Physical activity is known to have a positive impact on mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Choice B is incorrect because physical activity generally improves both mood and alertness. Choice C is incorrect as physical activity tends to increase mood, alertness, and energy levels. Choice D is incorrect as physical activity actually increases neural activity in the cerebral cortex, which is associated with improved cognitive function and mental well-being.

3. Jade spent two years in a Mexican-American community studying communication between parents and children. Jade was using __________.

• A. naturalistic observation
• B. ethnography
• C. self-reports
• D. structured observation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Jade was using ethnography. Ethnography involves the systematic study of people and cultures through participant observation and interviews. In this case, Jade spent two years in a Mexican-American community studying communication between parents and children, which aligns with the methodology of ethnography. Ethnography allows researchers to gain an in-depth understanding of a particular cultural group's behaviors, practices, and beliefs. Choice A, naturalistic observation, involves observing subjects in their natural environment without interference or manipulation. While similar to ethnography in some aspects, naturalistic observation does not typically involve the same level of cultural immersion and participant interaction as ethnography. Choice C, self-reports, refers to data collected directly from participants about their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. This method relies on participants' subjective responses and may not provide the same depth of cultural insights as ethnography. Choice D, structured observation, involves observing behavior in a structured and controlled environment. Unlike ethnography, structured observation does not focus on the cultural nuances and immersive study of a specific community.

4. In a correlational design, researchers __________.

• A. gather information on individuals without altering their experiences
• B. divide events and behaviors of interest into two types: dependent and independent variables
• C. use an evenhanded procedure to assign people to two or more treatment conditions
• D. directly control or manipulate changes in the independent variable

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a correlational design, researchers gather information on individuals without altering their experiences. Correlational studies examine the relationship between two or more variables without any manipulation or control by the researchers. The researchers simply observe and measure the variables of interest without intervening in any way. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they describe aspects related to experimental designs rather than correlational designs. In an experimental design, researchers manipulate variables, assign participants to different treatment conditions, and control changes in the independent variable, which is not the case in correlational studies.

5. One criticism of the information-processing approach is that it __________.

• A. underestimates the individual's contribution to his or her own development
• B. ignores transformation in adulthood, concluding that no major cognitive changes occur after adolescence
• C. underestimates the competencies of infants and preschoolers, focusing on older children and adolescents
• D. is better at analyzing thinking into its components than at putting them back together into a comprehensive theory

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The criticism that the information-processing approach ignores transformation in adulthood, concluding that no major cognitive changes occur after adolescence, suggests a limitation of the theory in not fully acknowledging that cognitive development continues throughout the lifespan. This criticism highlights a potential drawback of the approach in terms of its understanding of cognitive changes beyond adolescence. Choice A is incorrect because the criticism is not about underestimating the individual's contribution. Choice C is also incorrect as the criticism is not related to age-specific competencies. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses on a different aspect of the information-processing approach.

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