Research question and medical perspective (Part 1)

A research question is the foundation of any scientific inquiry.

In medicine, it’s more than just curiosity; it’s about solving real-world health problems and improving patient outcomes. A well-structured question provides clarity, directs study design, and ensures that research efforts are focused and impactful.

The importance of a well-formulated research question

A good research question helps clinicians and researchers:

• Identify gaps in medical knowledge

• Focus on specific patient populations

• Determine the most effective interventions

Without a structured research question, studies can lack direction, making it harder to generate meaningful results.

To maintain clarity and focus, researchers often use structured frameworks—the most common being PICO:

• P (Population or Patient): Who is the study focused on? (e.g., adults with Type 2 diabetes)

• I (Intervention or Exposure): What treatment or factor is being studied? (e.g., a new drug)

• C (Comparison): What is it being compared to? (e.g., standard treatment)

• O (Outcome): What is being measured? (e.g., improved blood sugar control)

For example, if we want to investigate a new drug for Type 2 diabetes, our PICO framework would look like this:

P: Adults with Type 2 diabetes

I: The new drug

C: Standard treatment

O: Improved blood sugar control

Types of research questions in medicine

Therapeutic Questions: “Which treatment works best?” Example: Does mindfulness-based therapy reduce stress in patients with chronic pain compared to medication alone?

Diagnostic Questions: “What is the most accurate test?” Example: Is an MRI scan more effective than an X-ray in detecting early-stage knee osteoarthritis?

Prognostic Questions: “What is the likely outcome for this condition?” Example: What is the 5-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer?

Etiologic Questions: “What causes this disease?” Example: Does long-term air pollution exposure increase the risk of chronic lung disease?

Refining a Research Question: Best Practices

To create an effective and practical research question, it should be:

Specific: Clearly define the population, intervention, and outcome. Avoid vague terms.

Relevant: Address an important medical issue that impacts patient care.

Feasible: Ensure the study is realistic within available time, resources, and ethical boundaries.

Answerable: The question should be structured so that it can be scientifically tested.

By crafting clear, focused, and meaningful research questions, we lay the foundation for groundbreaking medical discoveries that can transform healthcare and improve lives.