Formulating Research Questions

Why Research Questions Matter

A well-formulated research question is the foundation of a successful systematic review. It defines the scope, guides your search strategy, and determines what studies will be included or excluded.

Characteristics of Good Research Questions

  • Specific and focused (not too broad or too narrow)
  • Answerable through empirical research
  • Clinically or academically relevant
  • Aligned with available literature
  • Clearly defined population and outcomes

Common Question Formats

Intervention Questions

These questions assess the effectiveness of interventions, treatments, or programs. Example: 'What is the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for treating adolescent depression compared to pharmacotherapy?'

Diagnostic Questions

These examine the accuracy of diagnostic tests or procedures. Example: 'How accurate is MRI compared to CT scanning for detecting acute ischemic stroke?'

Prognostic Questions

These explore outcomes and risk factors. Example: 'What factors predict long-term survival in patients with stage III colorectal cancer?'

Qualitative Questions

These investigate experiences, perceptions, or meanings. Example: 'What are patients' experiences of living with chronic pain?'

Refining Your Question

  1. 1Start with a broad topic of interest
  2. 2Identify the specific population or problem
  3. 3Determine what outcomes matter most
  4. 4Consider what interventions or exposures are relevant
  5. 5Narrow or broaden based on preliminary literature searches
  6. 6Test your question using the PICO/PCC framework

Primary vs. Secondary Questions

Your primary question is the main focus of the systematic review. Secondary questions explore related aspects or subgroups. For example:

  • Primary: 'Is mindfulness-based therapy effective for reducing anxiety in adults?'
  • Secondary: 'Does effectiveness vary by age group, session duration, or delivery format?'

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Questions that are too broad (e.g., 'Does exercise improve health?')
  • Questions with insufficient published research
  • Multiple unrelated questions in one review
  • Questions that assume the answer (leading questions)
  • Overly complex questions with too many components

Scholara's AI assistant can help refine your research question by suggesting specific populations, interventions, and outcomes based on your initial input.