Systematic Review Resources - Creating a Research Question

Formulating a strong research question is a crucial first step in any research process, especially in the health sciences field, where precision and clarity are key to improving patient outcomes, advancing medical knowledge, and influencing policy.

Why is Framing a Research Question Important in Health Sciences?

In health sciences, a well-framed research question provides direction to your study, helps define your research scope, and ensures your methodology is appropriate for the data you are seeking. Whether you are studying diseases, treatments, healthcare systems, or patient populations, a strong research question guides you in:

• Identifying the scope of your study
• Determining the variables and factors to consider
• Selecting the right research methods and tools
• Structuring your literature review and data collection

Follow these steps to frame an effective research question:

1. Identify a Broad Topic

Begin by choosing a broad health sciences topic that interests you. For example:

• Chronic disease management
• Mental health interventions
• Pediatric care
• Healthcare access for underserved populations

2. Conduct Preliminary Research

Before narrowing your focus, explore recent literature to understand what is already known and where the gaps in research exist. Use resources like PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus to explore journal articles, systematic reviews, and clinical guidelines.

3. Narrow Down the Focus

Take your broad topic and focus it on a specific issue or population. This can involve:

• Focusing on a particular age group (e.g., pediatric or elderly populations)
• Focusing on a specific disease (e.g., type 2 diabetes or mental health disorders)
• Focusing on a specific intervention (e.g., new drug treatments or lifestyle interventions)

4. Define the Purpose of Your Study

Ask yourself what you hope to accomplish with your research. This could include:

• Investigating causal relationships
• Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions
• Identifying risk factors
• Understanding patient perceptions or experiences

The PICO(T) framework is a helpful tool in health sciences to structure your research question. It stands for:

1. P: Patient or Population (Who is the patient or population of interest?)
2. I: Intervention (What is the intervention or exposure you want to study?)
3. C: Comparison (Is there a comparison group or alternative intervention?)
4. O: Outcome (What is the expected outcome or effect?)
5. T: Time (What is the time frame for observing the outcome?)

Example:

In adult patients with Type 2 diabetes (P), how does a low-carb diet (I) compared to a low-fat diet (C) affect blood sugar control (O) over 6 months (T)?