The Research Question
Research questions help you to stay focused on your research goal. Your research question should be specific, measurable, and realistic. Write a research question by identifying your question's key concepts .
You can use the PICO(T) or PS model, or any other model that is more appropriate for the nature of your research.
The PS Model: Qualitative Research
Qualitative Questions aim to discover meaning or gain an understanding of a phenomena.
They ask about an individual's or population's experience of certain situations or circumstances.
The PS model is helpful for developing a strong qualitative research question:
P - Patient/Population
S- Situation
How do/does ___[P]____ experience _____[S]_____?
Ex. How do caregiver-spouses of Alzheimer patients experience placing their spouse in a nursing home?
PICO(T): Quantitative Research
Quantitative Questions aim to discover cause and effect relationships by comparing two or more individuals or groups based on differing outcomes associated with exposures or interventions,
A quantitative approach can be formatted using the PICO(T) Model:
Ex. In emergency room visitors, do hand sanitizing stations result in fewer in-hospital infections when compared with no hand sanitizing stations over a year-long pilot period?
