The first framework you need to consider is FINER. You'll need to know why the research is necessary and what it's potential impact is before you start. After that there are quite a number of frameworks to help you frame and clarify your search.
Feasibility |
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Interesting |
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Novel |
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Ethical |
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Relevant |
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Reference: Cummings, S. R., Browner, W. S., & Hulley, S. B. (1988) Conceiving the research question. In S. B. Hulley, & S. R. Cummings SR (Eds), Designing Clinical Research. (pp. 12 - 17). Williams & Wilkins.
Question frameworks are usually referred to by their acronyms. Click the acronym in the table to go to the page with the full explanation for that framework.
Focus of your question |
Associated frameworks |
Clinical questions about the effectiveness of interventions / treatments, and the impact of exposures. |
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Diagnostic test evaluation |
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Economic evaluation / cost effectiveness |
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Evaluating experiences of a specific phenomenon |
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Policy evaluation |
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Practice guideline evaluation |
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Prevalence of a condition incidence of a condition, disease, symptom, health condition, problem |
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Prognosis issues / Determining prognosis |
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Questions about a client’s welfare (arising from daily practice) |
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Questions about complex interventions |
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Questions about rehabilitation therapies (in speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, …) |
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Service evaluation / improvements |
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Theories / methodologies |
Question frameworks are usually referred to by their acronyms. Click the acronym in the table to go to the page with the full explanation for that framework.
Discipline area |
Frameworks |
Business and management |
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Education and social sciences |
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Environment / ecology |
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Health / Medicine |
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Psychology |
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Social work |