Getting help with formulating a question
When you know that you need information, you have to be able to : turn your information need into a question or statement ; understand what a ‘key’ term is ; choose the ‘key’ terms in your statement ; find one or more words which mean the same as your ‘key’ terms ; draw up a table listing your ‘key’ terms and your alternative words.
As a healthcare practitioner, you may prefer to use PICO analysis at the question stage of the process.
Patient or Population or Problem - Patient refers to the person presenting the problem, or more simply, to the problem itself. Population is the group to whom the patient belongs. Examples are : the elderly, men, women, asthmatics and so on.
Intervention - refers to an action proposed in response to the problem. This is often a drug or surgical procedure, but it can take many forms.
Comparison intervention - refers to the current treatment.
Outcome - refers to the anticipated result(s) of the proposed intervention.
The following resources offer further support in formulating questions. Each linked resource opens in its own window which you may close after consulting the information and return to this page.
Formulating a Search Question
A search question is an analytical question for which you explore possible answers. |
Creating Essential Questions
Essential Questions develop basic understandings. They provide the fundamental organising principles that guide the development of meaningful, authentic tasks. |
Themes & Essential Questions
Themes and essential questions help to frame enquiry and promote critical thinking. They also provide a framework for organising a unit of study. |
Essential Question Research Pathfinder
The purpose of research is not to summarise the work of others but to build on it and arrive at your own understanding of the subject. Your research will answer an Essential Question. An Essential Question probes a matter of importance. |