In the realm of medical education, the significance of comprehending research questions cannot be overstated. However, it is not uncommon for students to veer off track or squander time by formulating irrelevant questions. Below, Mark Capichana of Hazlet explores the art of crafting laser-focused research inquiries in medical education.
According to the PICO model of formulating a question outlined in the McGill Library, the best tips for creating a focused and relevant research question in medical education start with understanding what problem must be solved. Then, consider all solution options, and create the question with the outcome or solution in mind.
In this article, Capichana discusses the three main tips on how to keep a research question focused and relevant in medical education contexts during development. By the conclusion, it should be clear to an medical student that research questions can be formulated with the use of a successful formula, themselves!
Guidelines For Formulating a Focused and Relevant Research Question
As previously mentioned, it is incredibly important for a research question to be relevant to the times, established facts, and context of the world today when it comes to the medical field. An understanding of this starts in medical students’ education.
At the same time, if a research question becomes unfocused or unclear, it loses its efficacy. The research conducted in the context of that question can become scattered and equally ineffective.
In order to keep these questions focused and relevant, let’s take a look at the top 3 tips for formulating a focused and relevant research question in medical education.
- Consider the Problem to Solve
- Consider the Options For Solutions
- Keep an Outcome in Mind
Reviewing each of these more closely assists in understanding the best way to go about crafting a research question that maintains focus without losing relevance to today’s medical education scenarios.
1. Consider the Problem to Solve
The first step to formulating a good research question that keeps its focus without losing its relevance is to understand what problem the question must solve. Even if it is not a problem, consider the group of patients that are being considered within the question.
This is the foundation to how the question will be asked.
2. Consider the Options For Solutions
The options for solutions may not always be a type of intervention. Sometimes, once the problem or population is established, a comparison between more than one intervention is the best way to go about formulating the question.
Be sure to consider all the possible solutions to the question so that it can be phrased differently to target the ones that the researchers would like to explore.
3. Keep an Outcome in Mind
The outcome of research questions are still a big part of creating the question itself. Before phrasing the query that will begin the research process, think about where the study should end up. What will it affect, what might it measure, and, above all, what do the researchers want to accomplish?
In Conclusion
Formulating a focused and relevant research question is all about first considering what problem must be solved. Once that problem has been considered, a medical student creating a research question must ask themselves what kind of factors they’re considering to compare to each other and ultimately contribute to the outcome.
When these three tips are put into practice, a research question that is both focused and relevant is sure to follow!