Start with a broad topic - it could be a health condition, procedure or tool, a research methodology, or health care policy. Most importantly it should be of interest to you. You can find ideas in text books, medical dictionaries and encyclopedias, review articles, conference proceedings and abstracts, and by checking out the bibliographies in each resource. Also, don't forget that many ideas start by talking with colleagues or professors!
A good research question will meet the FINER criteria developed by Hulley et al (2007). It will be:
|
F |
Feasible - number of subjects, methodology, scope, time, money |
|
I |
Interesting - does the investigator want to study this topic? |
|
N |
Novel - will the study provide new findings or extend, refute, or confirm existing findings? |
|
E |
Ethical - will the institutional review board approve the project? |
|
R |
Relevant - will the study add to the scientific knowledge, clinical practice, health policy? |
Hulley S, Cummings S, Browner W, et al. Designing clinical research. 3rd ed. Philadelphia (PA): Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2007.
Why should I formulate a structured research question?
What characterizes a good question?
Where do questions fit into evidence-based practice?
What does an undeveloped question look like?
What does a well-formulated question look like?
Applying a framework when developing a research question can help to identify the key concepts and determine inclusion and exclusion criteria.
| PICo: | Population /types of Participants, phenomenon of Interest, Context |
|
PICO(S): |
Patient/Problem, Intervention, Comparator/Control, Outcome, (Study design) |
|
PECO: |
Patient/Problem, Exposure, Comparison/Control, Outcome |
|
PESICO: |
Person, Environment, Stakeholders, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome |
|
PIPOH: |
Population, Interventions, Professionals/Patients, Outcome, Healthcare Setting |
| P (Patient, Population, Problem) | I (Intervention) | C (Comparator) | O (Outcome) |
| How would I describe a group of patients similar to mine? | What main interventions, prognostic factors or exposure are you considering? | What is the main alternative to compare with the intervention? | What can you hope to accomplish, measure, improve or effect? |
|
In: Otherwise healthy children… |
Does: exposure to in utero cocaine… |
Versus: children not exposed to in utero cocaine… |
Result in: increased risk of learning disabilities? |