Specific Instructions for Part II: Research and Theory Exam

1. This is the Research and Theory portion of the preliminary exam. You will have ten days (which includes two weekends) to complete this portion of the exam, concurrent with the scholarship and philosophy portion of the exam

2. Read the article that you should have received electronically along with these instructions. Before beginning to answer the questions on this exam, be sure to read the article thoroughly and critically. The article for this portion of the exam is:

Sawatzky, R., Ratner, P., Richardson, C., Washburn, C., Sudmant, W., & Mirwaldt, P. (2012). Stress and depression in students: the mediating role of stress management self-efficacy. Nursing Research, 61(1), 13-21.

3. Each exam question has evaluation criteria. Review the attached criteria before responding to any of the questions.

4. Responses are to be typed and must be no longer than 8 double-spaced pages. Font size must be a minimum of 11 and all margins at least one inch. (Suggested fonts are Arial 11 or Times New Roman 12). You do not have to use APA format for the Research Exam.

5. IF YOU EXCEED THE PAGE LIMIT, ONLY THE FIRST 8 PAGES WILL BE READ.

6. It is not necessary to retype the questions. However, you must clearly indicate the number and/or letter of the specific criterion to which you are responding. Please number your pages.

7. Place your assigned code number on each exam page in a running header. You should have already received this code from Sheila Washington. Do not put your name anywhere on the exam. Please note that the code number is different for the scholarship/philosophy and research/theory exams.

8. When you complete the exam, email TWO SEPARATE attachments (one for the scholarship/philosophy exam and one for the theory/research exam). You may send both attachments in the same email or two separate emails. She will remove all identifying information from the email except for the code number on the paper.

9. Each section of the exam will be evaluated based on the grading rubric. The student response will be designated as exceeds expectations, meets expectations, or performs below expectations.

Instructions for the Research
Portion of the Preliminary Examination
June 1 through 11, 2012

The questions below refer to the article:

After carefully reading the article, respond to the following questions:

1. The authors wrote: “These conceptual foundations suggest that the experience of stress and its consequences can either enhance or constrain the development of resilience.” (p. 14). Discuss whether the authors provided adequate support for reaching this conclusion and whether the “conceptual foundations” are a good fit with the study objectives. Consider whether the concepts within the conceptual foundations were adequately described. Provide support for your conclusions. (maximum of 2 pages)

2. The authors developed a model with related hypotheses. Discuss the relationship of the conceptual foundations with the model and related hypotheses. Include consideration of links between any related propositions, premises, or axioms within the conceptual foundations and the related relationships between key conceptual constructs. (maximum of 2 pages)

3. Are the conceptual and operational definitions of the key variables clearly stated and meaningful in the context of the conceptual foundations? Are there implicit or explicit assumptions in the conceptual foundations that influence the study design? Provide support for your conclusions. (maximum of 1 page)

4. Overall, in your judgment is the study well designed? Provide support for your conclusions. (maximum of 1 page)

5. What ethical issues were the authors likely to have considered in the development of their study design? Provide at least 2. What steps may they have taken to minimize the impact of the ethical issues? (maximum of 1 page)

6. Do the authors make clear the link between the study findings and practice? Provide support for your conclusion. (maximum of 1 page)

Research Preliminary Exam Criteria Code Number __________

Evaluation Criteria Comments Exceeds
Expectations Meets
Expectations Below
Expectations
1A. Clearly states whether the authors provided adequate support for reaching the quoted conclusion.
1B. Expresses opinion regarding the fit between the “conceptual foundations” and the study objectives
1C. Clearly states whether the concepts within the conceptual foundations were adequately described.
1D. Provides support for the stated opinions/conclusions.

2A. The relationship between the conceptual foundations and the model and its related hypotheses are discussed in a scholarly manner.
2B. Linkages between propositions, premises, and/or axioms within the conceptual foundations are identified.
2C. The relationships between key conceptual constructs are identified.

3A. Addresses whether the conceptual and operational definitions of the key variables clearly stated and meaningful in the context of the conceptual foundations, or not.
3B. The implicit and/or explicit assumptions in the conceptual foundations influencing the study design are clearly stated.
3C. Support for the above conclusions is congruent and clearly stated.

4A. Clearly states if the study is well-designed, or not.
4B. Support for your belief is clearly stated

5A. Two ethical issues are listed

5B.Steps taken to minimize the impact of each ethical issue are identified.

6A. Clearly states that the authors do or do not make a clear the link between the study findings and practice.
6B. A logical argument is made to support position

Grammar & Instructions
Grammar, spelling, sentence structure are correct, cohesive, and appropriate for the doctoral level. Instructions followed as listed.

Additional Evaluator Comments

Final Evaluation Exceeds ( ) Meets ( ) Below ( )

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