A Structured Guide to Developing a Research Question for Your Protocol
A Structured Guide to Developing a Research Question for Your Protocol...🚀
🔍 Why is a Research Question (RQ) So Important?
Every research journey starts with a well-defined Research Question (RQ).
A strong RQ shapes your study design, methodology, and final conclusions. But let’s be real—many students struggle with this critical step.
Have you ever found yourself wondering:
💡 "How do I convert my broad interest into a focused research question?"
💡 "What makes an RQ strong, and what should I avoid?"
💡 "Is my RQ researchable, feasible, and significant?"
If these questions sound familiar, don’t worry! This guide will help you "frame a clear, structured, and researchable question using FINER and PICO."
🚨 Common Mistakes While Framing a Research Question
Many students struggle because they either:
❌ Choose a topic too broad (e.g., "How does diet affect health?")
❌ Pick a question too narrow (e.g., "Effect of Vitamin C on blood glucose levels in 35-year-old females in Bihar")
❌ Frame unclear or unfeasible research questions
To avoid these pitfalls, we use FINER + PICO, a proven framework for crafting high-quality research questions.
🎯 FINER + PICO/PECO: The Winning Formula for a Strong RQ
🛠The 3-Step Approach to Developing a Research Question
✅ Step 1: Apply the FINER Criteria
Before finalizing your RQ, ensure it meets these five key aspects:
Feasible: Can you realistically conduct this study with available resources?
Interesting: Will it engage researchers and contribute to medical knowledge?
Novel: Does it add new insights beyond existing studies?
Ethical: Is the study design ethical and safe for participants?
Relevant: Will the findings impact clinical practice or public health?
✅ Step 2: Choose Either PICO or PECO
Depending on your study type, structure your RQ using **either PICO or PECO**:
📌 PICO (For Interventional Studies)
P: Population (Who is being studied?)
I: Intervention (What is being tested?)
C: Comparison (What is the alternative?)
O: Outcome (What is being measured?)
📌 PECO (For Observational Studies)
P: Population (Who is being studied?)
E: Exposure (What risk factor or condition is being assessed?)
C: Comparison (What is the control group or alternative condition?)
O: Outcome (What is being measured?)
💡 Cases Where No Comparison (C) or Intervention (I) Exists
Sometimes, research questions do not require a direct comparison, intervention, or exposure. In such cases, you can frame your RQ differently:
Descriptive Study Example: "What is the prevalence of gestational diabetes in rural Bihar?"
Qualitative Study Example: "How do caregivers perceive the challenges of Auditory Verbal Therapy for children with cochlear implants?"
Cross-Sectional Study Example: "What are the socio-demographic factors influencing vaccine hesitancy in urban populations?"
✅ Step 3: Apply FINER Again Before Finalizing
Before submission, run your RQ through the FINER test once more to ensure it's practical, researchable, and impactful.
📚 Now, Explore Real-Life Examples
Now that we understand the process, let’s see how students from different medical specialties develop their research questions step-by-step.
Explore How Students Frame Their Research Questions
Here are some examples of research questions developed across different medical specialties.
Research Question Examples
📚 Research Question Examples
Click on a topic to view its research question
📖 The Journey of Dr. James: From Confusion to a Clear Research Question (Anesthesia Edition)
Dr. James, a first-year MD Anesthesia student at AIIMS Patna, is passionate about perioperative care, pain management, and patient safety. However, there’s one major challenge—developing a research question for the thesis protocol.
One day, he receives an email from the Thesis Protocol Development Committee:
📩 "All students must submit their research question (RQ) before attending the Thesis Protocol Workshop "
His thesis guide, Dr. A, asks:
👉 "Do you have any research ideas in mind?"
Dr. James is interested in postoperative pain management, but he’s unsure how to narrow it down into a focused research question.
🚀 Step 1: Applying the FINER Criteria
Before framing an RQ, Dr. James applies the FINER criteria to refine his broad topic into a meaningful research study.
Feasible: Can I recruit enough patients and conduct the study within my training period?
Interesting: Would this study be relevant to anesthesiologists and surgeons?
Novel: Has this specific pain management technique been studied in India?
Ethical: Is the intervention safe and aligned with patient care guidelines?
Relevant: Will the study improve patient outcomes and perioperative pain protocols?
🔍 Research Gap Identified:
After reviewing recent studies, Dr. James finds that ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks have gained attention for post-operative pain control in abdominal surgeries, but there is limited evidence comparing them with epidural analgesia in Indian settings.
📝 Step 2: Structuring the Research Question Using PICO
P (Population): Patients undergoing abdominal surgery
I (Intervention): Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block
C (Comparison): Epidural analgesia
O (Outcome): Postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption
💡 Draft Research Question: "In patients undergoing abdominal surgery, is the ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block as effective as epidural analgesia in reducing postoperative pain and opioid consumption?"
🔍 Step 3: Applying FINER Again for Final Validation
Before finalizing, Dr. JAMES reapplies FINER to ensure his research is practical and impactful.
✅ Feasible: AIIMS has access to ultrasound and anesthesia setups for ESP blocks.
✅ Interesting: Postoperative pain control is a major clinical concern.
✅ Novel: Limited data on ESP blocks in abdominal surgeries in India.
✅ Ethical: Both interventions are already in clinical use.
✅ Relevant: Findings could influence anesthesia protocols.
🌟 Final Research Question
💡 "In patients undergoing abdominal surgery, is the ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block as effective as epidural analgesia in reducing postoperative pain and opioid consumption?"
📌 Now, Dr. JAMES is confident about his thesis proposal and ready for the protocol workshop!
📖 The Journey of Dr. Ayaan: From Confusion to a Clear Research Question (Anatomy Edition)
Dr. Ayaan, a first-year MD Anatomy student, has always loved dissection halls and cadaveric studies. But now, it’s time for something new—developing a research question for medical education research.
One day, he receives a notification from the Thesis Protocol Development Committee, asking all students to submit their research question (RQ) before attending the protocol development workshop.
His thesis guide, Dr. Mehta, asks:
👉 "Have you decided on your research topic?"
Dr. Ayaan enjoys teaching first-year MBBS students and has noticed that many struggle with spatial understanding of complex anatomical structures. But how can he turn this into a proper research question?
🚀 Step 1: Applying the FINER Criteria
Before framing an RQ, Dr. Ayaan applies the FINER criteria to refine his broad topic into a meaningful research study.
Feasible: Can I implement and assess a new teaching method within my study duration?
Interesting: Would anatomy faculty and students find this useful?
Novel: Has this specific teaching strategy been studied in medical education before?
Ethical: Does it require consent from students and ethical clearance?
Relevant: Will this improve learning outcomes for future medical students?
🔍 Research Gap Identified:
After reviewing literature, Dr. Ayaan finds that 3D digital models and virtual reality (VR) are emerging as teaching tools, but there is limited data on their effectiveness compared to cadaveric dissection in India.
📝 Step 2: Structuring the Research Question Using PICO
P (Population): First-year MBBS students
I (Intervention): 3D digital anatomy models (VR-based learning)
C (Comparison): Traditional cadaveric dissection
O (Outcome): Improvement in anatomical knowledge and spatial understanding
💡 Draft Research Question: "Among first-year MBBS students, does 3D digital anatomy teaching improve anatomical knowledge and spatial understanding better than traditional cadaveric dissection?"
🔍 Step 3: Applying FINER Again for Final Validation
Before finalizing, Dr. Ayaan reapplies FINER to ensure his research is practical and impactful.
✅ Feasible: AIIMS has access to digital anatomy software.
✅ Interesting: Anatomy faculty debate the use of technology in teaching.
✅ Novel: Limited research compares VR with cadaveric teaching in Indian medical colleges.
✅ Ethical: Student participation is voluntary, and no harm is involved.
✅ Relevant: This study can guide future curriculum development.
🌟 Final Research Question
💡 "Among first-year MBBS students, does 3D digital anatomy teaching improve anatomical knowledge and spatial understanding better than traditional cadaveric dissection?"
📌 Now, Dr. Ayaan is confident about his thesis proposal and ready for the protocol workshop!
📖 The Journey of Dr. Ayaan: From Confusion to a Clear Research Question (Biochemistry Edition)
Dr. Ayaan, a first-year MD Biochemistry student, enjoys working in the lab, analyzing patient samples, and understanding the biochemical basis of diseases. But now, there’s a challenge ahead—developing a research question for his thesis protocol.
One day, he receives a notification from the Thesis Protocol Development Committee, asking all students to submit their research question (RQ) before attending the protocol development workshop.
His thesis guide, Dr. Mehta, asks:
👉 "Have you thought about your research topic?"
Dr. Ayaan has a broad interest in diabetes and metabolic disorders, but he is unsure how to turn that into a specific research question.
🚀 Step 1: Applying the FINER Criteria
Before framing an RQ, Dr. Ayaan applies the FINER criteria to refine his broad topic into a meaningful research study.
Feasible: Can I collect and analyze relevant patient samples within my study duration?
Interesting: Would this study generate useful findings for clinicians and researchers?
Novel: Has this specific biomarker been well-studied in India?
Ethical: Does this involve any invasive or risky procedures?
Relevant: Will it contribute to better diagnosis or management of diabetes?
🔍 Research Gap Identified:
After reviewing recent literature, he finds that asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction, is linked to cardiovascular risk in diabetes. However, its predictive value for early diabetic complications in the Indian population remains unclear.
📝 Step 2: Structuring the Research Question Using PICO
P (Population): Patients with type 2 diabetes
I (Intervention): Serum ADMA levels
C (Comparison): Traditional markers like HbA1c
O (Outcome): Predicting vascular complications (e.g., microalbuminuria, retinopathy)
💡 Draft Research Question: "In patients with type 2 diabetes, do serum ADMA levels predict early vascular complications better than traditional markers like HbA1c?"
🔍 Step 3: Applying FINER Again for Final Validation
Before finalizing, Dr. Ayaan reapplies FINER to ensure his research is practical and impactful.
✅ Feasible: The lab has equipment for ADMA analysis.
✅ Interesting: Biomarkers for diabetic complications are a key research area.
✅ Novel: Limited data exist on ADMA’s role in Indian diabetic patients.
✅ Relevant: Findings may help in early diagnosis and preventive care.
🌟 Final Research Question
💡 "In patients with type 2 diabetes, do serum ADMA levels predict early vascular complications better than traditional markers like HbA1c?"
📌 Now, Dr. Ayaan is confident about his thesis proposal and ready for the protocol workshop!
📖 The Journey of Dr. Ayaan: From Confusion to a Clear Research Question (General Medicine Edition)
Dr. Ayaan, a first-year MD General Medicine student, has always been fascinated by managing chronic diseases and improving patient outcomes. However, one major challenge stands before him—developing a research question for his thesis protocol.
One day, he receives a notification from the Thesis Protocol Development Committee, asking all students to submit their research question (RQ) before attending the protocol development workshop.
His thesis guide, Dr. Mehta, asks:
👉 "Have you decided on your research topic?"
Dr. Ayaan has a broad interest in heart failure management, but he is unsure how to refine it into a focused research question.
🚀 Step 1: Applying the FINER Criteria
Before framing an RQ, Dr. Ayaan applies the FINER criteria to refine his broad topic into a meaningful research study.
Feasible: Can I collect and analyze relevant patient data within my study duration?
Interesting: Would this study provide useful insights for clinicians and patients?
Novel: Has this specific dietary intervention been well-studied in heart failure?
Ethical: Does this involve any patient risk or additional burden?
Relevant: Will it contribute to better heart failure management?
🔍 Research Gap Identified:
After reviewing recent literature, he finds that while low-sodium diets are commonly recommended for heart failure patients, there is still debate on their effectiveness in preventing hospital readmissions.
📝 Step 2: Structuring the Research Question Using PECO
P (Population): Patients with heart failure
E (Exposure): Adherence to a low-sodium diet
C (Comparison): Standard dietary recommendations
O (Outcome): Rate of hospital readmissions
💡 Draft Research Question: "In patients with heart failure, does adherence to a low-sodium diet reduce hospital readmissions compared to a standard diet?"
🔍 Step 3: Applying FINER Again for Final Validation
Before finalizing, Dr. Ayaan reapplies FINER to ensure his research is practical and impactful.
✅ Feasible: AIIMS has access to patient medical records and dietary intake data.
✅ Interesting: Heart failure management is a priority for internal medicine specialists.
✅ Novel: The impact of dietary adherence on readmission rates is still debated.
✅ Ethical: The study involves dietary monitoring, posing no harm to patients.
✅ Relevant: Findings may influence future dietary recommendations in heart failure care.
🌟 Final Research Question
💡 "In patients with heart failure, does adherence to a low-sodium diet reduce hospital readmissions compared to a standard diet?"
📌 Now, Dr. Ayaan is confident about his thesis proposal and ready for the protocol workshop!
📖 The Journey of Dr. Ayaan: From Confusion to a Clear Research Question (Obstetrics & Gynecology Edition)
Dr. Ayaan, a first-year MD Obstetrics & Gynecology student, has always been interested in maternal health and high-risk pregnancies. However, one major challenge lies ahead—developing a research question for the thesis protocol.
One day, he receives a notification from the Thesis Protocol Development Committee, asking all students to submit their research question (RQ) before attending the protocol development workshop.
His thesis guide, Dr. Mehta, asks:
👉 "Do you have a specific research topic in mind?"
Dr. Ayaan has a broad interest in pre-eclampsia, but he is unsure how to refine it into a focused research question.
🚀 Step 1: Applying the FINER Criteria
Before framing an RQ, Dr. Ayaan applies the FINER criteria to refine his broad topic into a meaningful research study.
Feasible: Can I collect and analyze relevant patient data within my study duration?
Interesting: Would this study provide useful insights for obstetricians and patients?
Novel: Has this specific predictive marker been well-studied in the Indian population?
Ethical: Does this involve any additional patient risk?
Relevant: Will it contribute to better maternal and fetal outcomes?
🔍 Research Gap Identified:
After reviewing recent literature, he finds that the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio is a promising marker for predicting adverse outcomes in pre-eclampsia. However, its clinical utility in low-resource settings has not been well-established.
📝 Step 2: Structuring the Research Question Using PECO
P (Population): Pregnant women with pre-eclampsia
E (Exposure): Elevated sFlt-1/PlGF ratio
C (Comparison): Standard clinical assessment
O (Outcome): Adverse maternal and fetal outcomes
💡 Draft Research Question: "In pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, is the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio a better predictor of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes compared to standard clinical assessment?"
🔍 Step 3: Applying FINER Again for Final Validation
Before finalizing, Dr. Ayaan reapplies FINER to ensure his research is practical and impactful.
✅ Feasible: AIIMS has access to laboratory tests for sFlt-1/PlGF measurement.
✅ Interesting: Obstetricians are looking for better predictive tools in pre-eclampsia management.
✅ Novel: Limited studies exist on sFlt-1/PlGF use in low-resource settings.
✅ Ethical: The test requires a routine blood sample, posing no additional risk.
✅ Relevant: Findings may help improve early risk stratification and clinical decision-making.
🌟 Final Research Question
💡 "In pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, is the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio a better predictor of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes compared to standard clinical assessment?"
📌 Now, Dr. Ayaan is confident about his thesis proposal and ready for the protocol workshop!
📖 The Journey of Dr. Ayaan: From Confusion to a Clear Research Question (Pathology Edition)
Dr. Ayaan, a first-year MD Pathology student, is deeply interested in hematological malignancies and the role of laboratory diagnostics in guiding treatment decisions. However, one major challenge stands before him—developing a research question for his thesis protocol.
One day, he receives a notification from the Thesis Protocol Development Committee, asking all students to submit their research question (RQ) before attending the protocol development workshop.
His thesis guide, Dr. Mehta, asks:
👉 "Have you finalized your research topic?"
Dr. Ayaan has a broad interest in acute leukemia, but he is unsure how to refine it into a focused research question.
🚀 Step 1: Applying the FINER Criteria
Before framing an RQ, Dr. Ayaan applies the FINER criteria to refine his broad topic into a meaningful research study.
Feasible: Can I access enough patient samples for MRD analysis within my study duration?
Interesting: Would this study provide valuable insights for hematopathologists and oncologists?
Novel: Has this specific MRD detection method been validated in my region?
Ethical: Does this involve any patient risk or additional burden?
Relevant: Will it contribute to better treatment stratification in leukemia patients?
🔍 Research Gap Identified:
After reviewing recent literature, he finds that minimal residual disease (MRD) detection is crucial for predicting relapse in acute leukemia. However, there is limited data comparing flow cytometry-based MRD detection with traditional morphology-based remission assessment in Indian patients.
📝 Step 2: Structuring the Research Question Using PICO
P (Population): Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
I (Intervention): Flow cytometry-based MRD detection
C (Comparison): Morphology-based remission assessment
O (Outcome): Prediction of relapse and survival outcomes
💡 Draft Research Question: "In patients with acute myeloid leukemia, does flow cytometry-based MRD detection predict relapse and survival outcomes better than conventional morphology-based remission assessment?"
🔍 Step 3: Applying FINER Again for Final Validation
Before finalizing, Dr. Ayaan reapplies FINER to ensure his research is practical and impactful.
✅ Feasible: AIIMS has access to flow cytometry and leukemia patient data.
✅ Interesting: Hematopathologists and oncologists rely on MRD for treatment decisions.
✅ Novel: Limited studies compare flow cytometry with traditional morphology in MRD detection.
✅ Ethical: The study involves retrospective sample analysis, posing no risk to patients.
✅ Relevant: Findings may improve risk stratification and treatment planning in leukemia.
🌟 Final Research Question
💡 "In patients with acute myeloid leukemia, does flow cytometry-based MRD detection predict relapse and survival outcomes better than conventional morphology-based remission assessment?"
📌 Now, Dr. Ayaan is confident about his thesis proposal and ready for the protocol workshop!
📖 The Journey of Dr. Ayaan: From Confusion to a Clear Research Question (General Surgery Edition)
Dr. Ayaan, a first-year MS General Surgery student, is fascinated by minimally invasive procedures and how they improve patient recovery. However, one major challenge stands before him—developing a research question for his thesis protocol.
One day, he receives a notification from the Thesis Protocol Development Committee, asking all students to submit their research question (RQ) before attending the protocol development workshop.
His thesis guide, Dr. Mehta, asks:
👉 "What specific research area interests you in surgery?"
Dr. Ayaan has a broad interest in hernia repair, but he is unsure how to refine it into a focused research question.
🚀 Step 1: Applying the FINER Criteria
Before framing an RQ, Dr. Ayaan applies the FINER criteria to refine his broad topic into a meaningful research study.
Feasible: Can I recruit enough patients and collect data within my study duration?
Interesting: Would this study provide useful insights for surgeons?
Novel: Has this specific surgical approach been compared in my setting?
Ethical: Does this involve any additional patient risk?
Relevant: Will it contribute to better patient care and surgical decision-making?
🔍 Research Gap Identified:
After reviewing recent literature, he finds that while laparoscopic hernia repair is widely used, its benefits over **open repair** in terms of **chronic pain and recurrence rates** remain debated in low-resource settings.
📝 Step 2: Structuring the Research Question Using PECO
P (Population): Patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair
E (Exposure): Laparoscopic hernia repair
C (Comparison): Open hernia repair
O (Outcome): Chronic post-surgical pain and recurrence rate
💡 Draft Research Question: "In patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair, does laparoscopic surgery reduce chronic post-surgical pain and recurrence rates compared to open hernia repair?"
🔍 Step 3: Applying FINER Again for Final Validation
Before finalizing, Dr. Ayaan reapplies FINER to ensure his research is practical and impactful.
✅ Feasible: AIIMS has a sufficient number of patients undergoing hernia repair.
✅ Interesting: Surgeons debate the long-term benefits of laparoscopic vs. open techniques.
✅ Novel: Limited studies focus on recurrence and pain outcomes in Indian settings.
✅ Ethical: Both procedures are standard-of-care, posing no extra risk.
✅ Relevant: Findings may help guide surgical decision-making for hernia repair.
🌟 Final Research Question
💡 "In patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair, does laparoscopic surgery reduce chronic post-surgical pain and recurrence rates compared to open hernia repair?"
📌 Now, Dr. Ayaan is confident about his thesis proposal and ready for the protocol workshop!
📖 The Journey of Dr. Ayaan: From Confusion to a Clear Research Question (ENT Edition)
Dr. Ayaan, a first-year MS ENT student, is interested in understanding how environmental factors impact auditory health. However, one major challenge lies ahead—developing a research question for his thesis protocol.
One day, he receives a notification from the Thesis Protocol Development Committee, asking all students to submit their research question (RQ) before attending the protocol development workshop.
His thesis guide, Dr. Mehta, asks:
👉 "Do you have an area of interest in otology or audiology?"
Dr. Ayaan is particularly curious about occupational noise exposure and how it affects hearing, but he is unsure how to refine this interest into a focused research question.
🚀 Step 1: Applying the FINER Criteria
Before framing an RQ, Dr. Ayaan applies the FINER criteria to refine his broad topic into a meaningful research study.
Feasible: Can I access enough participants working in noisy environments for the study?
Interesting: Would this study generate useful data for ENT specialists and occupational health experts?
Novel: Has this specific association been well-studied in my country?
Ethical: Does this study pose any risks to participants?
Relevant: Will it contribute to better preventive strategies for occupational hearing loss?
🔍 Research Gap Identified:
After reviewing recent literature, he finds that occupational noise exposure is linked to **noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)**, but limited studies have assessed **long-term hearing impairment in industrial workers** in his region.
📝 Step 2: Structuring the Research Question Using PECO
P (Population): Industrial workers exposed to high noise levels
E (Exposure): Chronic occupational noise exposure (>85 dB for >5 years)
C (Comparison): Workers in low-noise occupational settings
O (Outcome): Prevalence and severity of hearing loss
💡 Draft Research Question: "In industrial workers, does chronic occupational noise exposure (>85 dB for >5 years) increase the prevalence and severity of hearing loss compared to workers in low-noise occupational settings?"
🔍 Step 3: Applying FINER Again for Final Validation
Before finalizing, Dr. Ayaan reapplies FINER to ensure his research is practical and impactful.
✅ Feasible: AIIMS has access to industrial workers and audiometric testing facilities.
✅ Interesting: Noise-induced hearing loss is a significant occupational health concern.
✅ Novel: Few studies have evaluated long-term occupational noise exposure in this setting.
✅ Ethical: The study involves non-invasive hearing tests, posing no risk.
✅ Relevant: Findings may help develop workplace hearing protection programs.
🌟 Final Research Question
💡 "In industrial workers, does chronic occupational noise exposure (>85 dB for >5 years) increase the prevalence and severity of hearing loss compared to workers in low-noise occupational settings?"
📌 Now, Dr. Ayaan is confident about his thesis proposal and ready for the protocol workshop!
🔍 Wrapping Up: The Power of a Well-Framed Research Question
Congratulations! 🎉 You've now walked through the step-by-step process of developing a strong and structured research question for your thesis protocol. From understanding the FINER criteria to selecting between PICO and PECO, you’ve learned how to refine your research ideas into clear, focused, and impactful questions.
💡 Why This Matters
A well-defined research question is the backbone of any successful study. It shapes your methodology, guides data collection, and ultimately determines the strength of your conclusions. Whether you’re exploring clinical interventions, diagnostic accuracy, or epidemiological exposures, following a structured approach ensures that your research is scientifically sound and meaningful.
🚀 Ready to Take Action?
Now that you have the tools, it's time to put them into practice:
✅ Refine your research idea using the FINER framework.
✅ Choose the right structure (PICO for interventional studies, PECO for observational research).
✅ Validate and improve your question before finalizing your protocol.
📌 What's Next?
If you're still unsure about your research question, don’t worry! Reach out to your mentors, peers, or research coordinators for feedback. Iteration is part of the process, and every great study starts with continuous refinement.
💬 Join the Conversation!
Do you have any experiences or challenges in framing your research question? Share your thoughts, insights, or doubts at support@meritindia.org. 🧠💡
Remember: A great research journey begins with a great question. Happy researching! 🚀
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