A well-developed question informs the development and methodology of your research project. Your research question also is a starting point for your your search terms, eligibility criteria, etc.
There are a number of frameworks available to help develop your research question. A few common options are explained below.
| Question Types1,2 | Mnemonic | Framework |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical questions, effectiveness, intervention, quantitative | PICO | Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes |
| Etiology, risk, qualitative or quantitative | PEO | Population, Exposure, Outcome |
| Qualitative, mixed methods, meaning | SPIDER | Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type |
| Prevalence, incidence | CoCoPop | Condition, Context, Population |
| Scoping | PCC | Population, Concept, Context |
The PICO framework is the most common question model for quantitative, clinical research questions.3
| PICO Element | Definition | Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| P (Population/ Problem) | How would you describe your population of interest? What are the key characteristics of the patient (diagnosis, condition, age, sex, etc.)? | women, chronic migraines |
| I (Intervention) | What is the intervention (treatment, diagnostic test, procedure) you are considering? | chiropractic manipulation |
| C (Comparison) | What other treatment, drug, placebo, test, are you comparing your intervention to? No treatment? Standard of care? | Botox injections |
| O (Outcome) | What are you trying to measure, improve or affect? | number of migraines, fewer side effects |
Question Formulation
Example: In adult women with chronic migraines, will chiropractic manipulation compared with botulinum toxin injections lead to fewer migraines and side effects?
Question Formula: In [population] will [intervention] compared to [comparison/control group] result in [outcome]?
The PEO framework is useful for qualitative research questions as well as risk or etiology research questions.4
| PEO Element | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| P (Population / Problem) | How would you describe your population of interest? | type 2 diabetes |
| E (Exposure) | What is the issue of interest? What is the exposure? | Mediterranean diet |
| O (Outcome) | What outcomes are anticipated? | reversal |
Question Formulation
Example: For individuals with type 2 diabetes, will the Mediterranean diet result in reversal of type 2 diabetes?
Question Formula: In [population], will [exposure] result in [outcome]?
This framework was developed to help locate qualitative or mixed method research for questions that investigate the experiences of a sample population.5
| SPIDER Element | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| S (Sample) | What is the specific group being studied? | young parents |
| PI (Phenomenon of Interest) | What are the reasons for decisions or behaviors? | antenatal, birth class |
| D (Design) | How has the research been collected (interview, survey, intervention, etc.)? What form of research is being used? | questionnaire, focus group |
| E (Evaluation) | What are the outcome measures? | experiences, feelings |
| R (Research type) | What type of research is needed (qualitative, mixed methods, etc.)? | qualitative, mixed method |
Question Formulation
Example: What the experiences of young parents' of attending antenatal education?
Question Formula: SPIDER questions usually begin with "What are the experiences of..." For SPIDER, it is ok that that design and research type do not effect question formulation. These elements will help guide eligibility criteria.
The CoCoPop framework is useful for prevalence research questions.6
| CoCoPop Element | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Co (Condition) | What is the condition/problem/symptom being studied? | asthma |
| Co (Context) | What is the context? What qualifiers or factors are key for understanding? When or where? | rural environment |
| Pop (Population) | What is the population being examined? | United States |
Question Formulation
Example: What is the prevalence of asthma in rural areas of the United States?
Question Formula: What is the the prevalence/incidence of [Condition] in [Context] of [Population]?
The PCC framework was developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) to frame scoping review questions.
| PCC Element | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| P (Population / Participants) | What are the important characteristics of the participants? What are the key characteristics of the population (condition, age, sex, education level, etc.)? | type 2 diabetes |
| C (Concept) | What core concept is being examined? | barriers to care |
| C (Context) | What qualifiers or factors are key for understanding? | Spanish-speaking |
Question Formulation
Example: What are barriers to care for Spanish-speakers with type 2 diabetes?
If the provided frameworks do not work for your research project, the one of the following may fit:
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