Abstract
Developing a clinically relevant, structured, and answerable research question is a prerequisite when conducting clinical research. It is paramount in developing any type of investigation and has implications on study design, implementation, and applicability in the clinical environment. Confirming a paucity in knowledge and literature is important in the progression from initial idea to research question. The FINER (Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, and Relevant) criteria are important elements to consider when developing an idea into a clinical investigation. The PICO (Patient, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) approach is a useful tool for structuring a research question. Clear definitions and descriptions for each of the PICO elements are critical in the development of a good research question. Based on the question, a subsequent hypothesis should be accompanying, which can either be accepted or rejected based on the results of the subsequent investigation.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Ardern CL, Taylor NF, Feller JA, Webster KE. Return-to-sport outcomes at 2 to 7 years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery. Am J Sports Med. 2012;40(1):41–8.
Benjaminse A, Gokeler A, van der Schans CP. Clinical diagnosis of an anterior cruciate ligament rupture: a meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2006;36(5):267–88.
Cancienne JM, Brockmeier SF, Carson EW, Werner BC. Risk factors for infection after shoulder arthroscopy in a large medicare population. Am J Sports Med. 2018;46(4):809–14. 0363546517749212.
Chalmers PN, Salazar DH, Steger-May K, Chamberlain AM, Stobbs-Cucchi G, Yamaguchi K, et al. Radiographic progression of arthritic changes in shoulders with degenerative rotator cuff tears. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 2016;25(11):1749–55.
Farrugia P, Petrisor BA, Farrokhyar F, Bhandari M. Research questions, hypotheses and objectives. Can J Surg. 2010;53(4):278.
Health UNIo. ClinicalTrials.gov. 2012.
Hewison CE. STABILITY Study: a multicentre RCT comparing ACL reconstruction with and without lateral extra-articular tenodesis for individuals at high risk of graft failure. Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository, 3199. 2015. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/3199.
Hewison CE, Tran MN, Kaniki N, Remtulla A, Bryant D, Getgood AM. Lateral extra-articular tenodesis reduces rotational laxity when combined with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review of the literature. Arthroscopy. 2015;31(10):2022–34.
Hoffmann T, Bennett S, Del Mar C. Evidence-based practice across the health professions-e-Book. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2013.
Hulley SB, Cummings SR, Browner WS, Grady DG, Newman TB. Designing clinical research. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013.
Kaura A. Crash course evidence-based medicine: reading and writing medical papers-e-Book. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2013.
Kim JY, Park JS, Rhee YG. Can preoperative magnetic resonance imaging predict the reparability of massive rotator cuff tears? Am J Sports Med. 2017;45(7):1654–63.
Lee O-S, Lee YS. Diagnostic value of computed tomography and risk factors for lateral hinge fracture in the open wedge high tibial osteotomy. Arthroscopy. 2018, 34(4):1032–43.
Multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with and without lateral extra-articular tenodesis in individuals who are at high risk of graft failure 2018. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02018354.
Oh JH, Seo HJ, Lee Y-H, Choi H-Y, Joung HY, Kim SH. Do selective COX-2 inhibitors affect pain control and healing after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair? A preliminary study. Am J Sports Med. 2018;46(3):679–86. 0363546517744219.
Rios LP, Ye C, Thabane L. Association between framing of the research question using the PICOT format and reporting quality of randomized controlled trials. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2010;10(1):11.
Sackett DL, Rosenberg WM, Gray JM, Haynes RB, Richardson WS. Evidence based medicine: what it is and what it isn’t. BMJ. 1996;312(7023):71–2.
Sanders TL, Kremers HM, Bryan AJ, Fruth KM, Larson DR, Pareek A, et al. Is anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction effective in preventing secondary meniscal tears and osteoarthritis? Am J Sports Med. 2016;44(7):1699–707.
Thabane L, Thomas T, Ye C, Paul J. Posing the research question: not so simple. Can J Anesth. 2009;56(1):71.
Von Porat A, Roos E, Roos H. High prevalence of osteoarthritis 14 years after an anterior cruciate ligament tear in male soccer players: a study of radiographic and patient relevant outcomes. Ann Rheum Dis. 2004;63(3):269–73.
Willits K, Amendola A, Bryant D, Mohtadi NG, Giffin JR, Fowler P, et al. Operative versus nonoperative treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures: a multicenter randomized trial using accelerated functional rehabilitation. JBJS. 2010;92(17):2767–75.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 ISAKOS
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Batty, L.M., Lording, T., Ek, E.T. (2019). How to Get Started: From Idea to Research Question. In: Musahl, V., et al. Basic Methods Handbook for Clinical Orthopaedic Research. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-58254-1_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-58254-1_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-662-58253-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-662-58254-1
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)