Systematic reviews require a focused and answerable research question that is structured by a specific framework, as outlined in the following box. A well-developed and answerable research question will aid you in a myriad of ways, including, but not limited to:
Read on to learn more about the guiding frameworks used to structure research questions in systematic reviews.
| PICO | Definition | Example |
| Population | Who is my question focused on? | Infants diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) |
| Intervention | What is the proposed new intervention? | Early enteral refeeding |
| Comparison | What is the current or alternative state? | Late enteral re-feeding |
| Outcome | What is the measurable outcome being impacted? | NEC recurrence |
Research question: In infants diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), what is the effect of early enteral refeeding on NEC recurrence compared with late enteral refeeding?
The PICO question format is useful for clinical and quantitative research topics (therapy, diagnosis, prognosis, etiology/harm, and prevention questions).
PICO questions identify 3-4 concepts: patient/population, intervention, comparison (optional), and outcome.
The above table and research questions were developed by the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Libraries.
| PEO | Definition | Example |
| Population | Who is my question focused on? | Mothers |
| Exposure | What is the issue I'm interested in? | Postnatal depression |
| Outcome | What, in relation to the issue, do I want to examine? | Daily living experiences |
Research question: What are the daily living experiences of mothers with postnatal depression?
The PEO question format is useful for qualitative research topics.
PEO questions identify three concepts: population, exposure, and outcome.
| SPIDER | Definition | Example |
| Sample | Who is the group of people being studied? | Young parents |
| Phenomenon of Interest | What are the reasons for behavior and decisions? | Attendance at antenatal education classes |
| Design | How has the research been collected (e.g., interview, survey)? | Interviews |
| Evaluation | What is the outcome being impacted? | Experiences |
| Research Type | What type of research (qualitative or mixed methods)? | Qualitative studies |
Research question: What are the experiences of young parents in attendance at antenatal education classes?
The SPIDER question format is useful for qualitative or mixed methods research topics focusing on "samples" rather than populations.
SPIDER questions identify five concepts: sample, phenomenon of interest, design, evaluation, and research type.
| SPICE | Definition | Example |
| Setting | Setting is the context for the question (where?) | South Carolina |
| Perspective | Perspective is the users, potential users, or stakeholders of the service (for whom?) | Teenagers |
| Intervention/Interest/Exposure | Intervention is the action taken for the users, potential users, or stakeholders (what?) | Provision of Quit Kits to support smoking cessation |
| Comparison | Comparison is the alternative actions or outcomes (compared to what? what else?) | No support or "cold turkey" |
| Evaluation | Evaluation is the result or measurement that will determine the success of the intervention (what result? how well?) | Number of successful attempts to give up smoking with Quit Kits compared to number of successful attempts with no support |
Research question: For teenagers in South Carolina, what is the effect of provision of Quit Kits to support smoking cessation on number of successful attempts to give up smoking compared to no support ("cold turkey")?
The SPICE question format is useful for qualitative research topics evaluating the outcomes of a service, project or intervention.
SPICE questions identify five concepts: setting, perspective, intervention/exposure/interest, comparison, and evaluation.
| ECLIPSE | Definition | Example | |
| Expectation |
|
To increase access to wireless internet in the hospital | |
| Client Group | Who is the service/policy aimed at? | Patients and families | |
| Location | Where is the service/policy located? | Hospitals | |
| Impact | What is the change in service/policy that the researcher is investigating? | Clients have easy access to free internet | |
| Professionals | Who is involved in providing/improving the service/policy? | IT, hospital administration | |
| Service | What kind of service/policy is this? What service/policy is seeking the information? | Provisions of free wireless internet to patients |
Research question: How can I increase access to wireless internet for hospital patients?
The ECLIPSE question format is useful for qualitative research topics investigating the outcomes of a policy or service.
ECLIPSE questions identify six concepts: expectation, client group, location, impact, professionals, and service.