Research Questions are the questions around which you centre your research and should clearly state what the researcher needs to do. These questions should be clear, focused and concise. An important requirement for good research is interest in the topic you are investigating.
Identifying the type of question
Once you have identified a topic and a gap in previous research/evidence base, write out the question that needs to be answered in ‘lay’ terms. Does the question lend itself to qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods?
If quantitative, decide what type of question it is based on below:
Descriptive
To describe a phenomenon or a population in depth. These are usually questions such as how often, what proportion of, what are the characteristics of…
Comparative
To discover differences between groups e.g. whether there is a difference between an intervention group vs a placebo group when looking at the effectiveness of a therapy. Or researchers may compare groups that do vs those who don’t have a disease and explore whether certain behaviours or variables are present in the disease group.
Relationship
To look at relationships between two or more variables. These include words such as “association” or relationship between.
Question formats are helpful tools researchers can use to structure a question that will facilitate a focused search. For a quantitative research question, consider using the PICO tool. This is commonly used for evidence-based clinical practice.
- Patient or problem
Describe a group of patients. What is the problem? What disease? - Intervention
Consider main intervention. What do you want to do with these patients? - Comparison
Alternative intervention or no intervention. - Outcome
What are you trying to accomplish, measure, improve or affect?
If qualitative, decide what type of question it is based on the table below:
Contextual
To identify and describe the nature of what already exists.
Descriptive
Attempt to describe a phenomenon.
Evaluation
Assess the effectiveness of existing methods, protocols, theories, or procedures.
Explanatory
Examine a phenomenon or analyse the reasons or relationships between subjects or phenomena.
Exploratory
Focus on the unknown aspects of a particular topic.
For a qualitative question, consider using the PEO tool. This is commonly used for qualitative research.
- Population
Who are the affected population? What are their symptoms, condition, health status, age, gender, ethnicity? What is the setting? - Exposure
Is the population exposed to a condition or illness, to a risk factor, to screening, to rehabilitation or to a service? - Outcome(s)
What are the outcomes or themes? Consider the experiences, attitudes, feelings, changes in condition, mobility, response to treatment, quality of life or daily living.
If your question is a combination of quantitative and qualitative research, consider using the SPIDER tool adapted from the PICO tool. This is commonly used for mixed-methods or qualitative research.
- Sample
The group of people you are studying - Phenomenon of Interest
Topic of the research (i.e., intervention) - Design
Techniques used to gather data (i.e., focus group, interview, observation) - Evaluation
The outcome of the study - Research type
What kind of study (i.e., Grounded theory, Case study, Phenomology, Ethnography)
Once you have decided, hone down your question precisely and clearly. Consider evaluating your research question:
- Is the question clear?
- Is the question focused and specific?
How to complete this stage at BCHC
In order to learn about the existing knowledge when thinking about your research question you could:
- Search the Knowledge Database held by the BCHC Library (Smallwood Library) to see if any research, service evaluation or audit has been carried out in the area of your interest http://nww.bhamcommunity.nhs.uk/about-us/divisions-and-directorates/medical-directorate/library-services/knowledge-database/
- You can also contact the Library team (smallwood.library@nhs.net) or submit a request for literature search through BaseDoc: https://www.basedoc.co.uk/cgi-bin/index.cgi
- Search the Cochrane database to see if a review has already been done on your topic: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/search
- Approach the R&I team and ask if they can recommend someone who could facilitate a Critical Appraisal Topic (CAT) in your area for a group of you bchc.ri-info@nhs.net
- You could access library training on literature searching or critical appraisal: (http://nww.bhamcommunity.nhs.uk/about-us/divisions-and-directorates/medical-directorate/library-services/information-skills-training/ )
- R&I team may also be able to put you in touch with the academics that work with them to support early stage researchers in the Trust
- With your managers support attend a module at a local university (contact the R&I team for this option).
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