Evaluating Research Questions in Research Process

Evaluation of Research Questions

Evaluating research questions is a crucial step in the research process, ensuring that the questions are focused, researchable, feasible, and relevant to the study at hand. This process often involves a collaborative effort between researchers and their advisors, as well as the use of various frameworks and methodologies to guide the development of clear, concise, and well-defined questions.

Researchable Questions

Questions should be researchable, meaning they can be investigated using primary and secondary sources. This involves narrowing down the scope of the topic to a specific question or hypothesis that can be tested or explored through research.

Focused Questions

Questions should be focused on a single problem or issue. This helps to ensure that the research remains manageable and that the findings can be presented in a coherent and concise manner. The use of frameworks such as PICO, PICO+, PICO+C, PICOC, PICOS, and PICOT can help researchers structure their questions and clarify the focus of their study.

PICO Framework

The PICO framework is a widely used method for developing research questions in healthcare research. It stands for:

• Patient or Population
• Intervention or Issue
• Comparison
• Outcome

This framework helps researchers to define the focus of their study by specifying the population under investigation, the intervention or issue being studied, and the outcome being measured.

PICO+ Framework

PICO+ is an extension of the PICO framework that includes additional elements:

• + context, patient values, and preferences

This extension allows researchers to consider the broader context in which their study is being conducted, as well as the values and preferences of the patients or populations being studied.

PICOC Framework

The PICOC framework is another variation of the PICO framework that adds Context:

• Patient or Population
• Intervention or Issue
• Context
• Outcome

This framework helps researchers to consider the specific context in which their study is being conducted and how it may influence the results.

PICOS Framework

The PICOS framework is another variation of the PICO framework that adds Study type / Setting:

• Patient or Population
• Intervention or Issue
• Context (including study type and setting)
• Outcome

This framework helps researchers to consider the specific study type and setting in which their study is being conducted and how it may influence the results.

PICOT Framework

The PICOT framework is another variation of the PICO framework that adds Time / Timeframe / Timing:

• Patient or Population
• Intervention or Issue
• Context (including study type and setting)
• Outcome
• Time / Timeframe / Timing

This framework helps researchers to consider the specific time frame in which their study is being conducted and how it may influence the results.

Feasible and Specific Questions

Questions should be feasible to answer within the timeframe and practical constraints of the study, and specific enough to answer thoroughly. This means that the questions should be focused on a manageable area of investigation and should not be too broad or open-ended.

Complex and Arguable Questions

Questions should be complex enough to merit a detailed answer and should be able to stand up to debate or argument. This ensures that the research remains engaging and relevant to the field of study.

Research questions should be evaluated for their researchability, focus, feasibility, specificity, complexity, and relevance. By following these guidelines, researchers can develop clear, concise, and well-defined questions that will guide their investigation and lead to valuable insights and discoveries.