This video illustrates how to use the PICO framework to formulate an effective research question, and it also shows how to search a database using the search terms identified. The database used in this video is CINAHL but the process is very similar in databases from other companies as well.
A longer on the important pre-planning and protocol development stages of systematic reviews, including tips for success and pitfalls to avoid.
* You can start watching this video from around the 9 minute mark.*
Having a focused and specific research question is especially important when undertaking a systematic review. If your search question is too broad you will retrieve too many search results and you will be unable to work with them all. If your question is too narrow, you may miss relevant papers. Taking the time to break down your question into separate, focused concepts will also help you search the databases effectively.
Deciding on your inclusion and exclusion criteria early on in the research process can also help you when it comes to focusing your research question and your search strategy.
A literature searching planning template can help to break your search question down into concepts and to record alternative search terms. Frameworks such as PICO and PEO can also help guide your search. A planning template is available to download below, and there is also information on PICO and other frameworks (Adapted from: https://libguides.kcl.ac.uk/systematicreview/define).
Looking at published systematic reviews can give you ideas of how to construct a focused research question and an effective search strategy.
Example of an unfocused research question: How can deep vein thrombosis be prevented?
Example of a focused research question: What are the effects of wearing compression stockings versus not wearing them for preventing DVT in people travelling on flights lasting at least four hours.
In this Cochrane systematic review by Clarke et al. (2021), publications on randomised trials of compression stockings versus no stockings in passengers on flights lasting at least four hours were gathered. The appendix of the published review contains the comprehensive search strategy used. This research question has focused on a particular method (wearing compression stockings) in a particular setting (flights of at least 4 hrs) and included only specific studies (randomised trails). An additional way of focusing a question could be to look at a particular section of the population.
Clarke M. J., Broderick C., Hopewell S., Juszczak E., and Eisinga A., 20121. Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2021, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD004002 [Accessed 30th April 2021]. Available from: 10.1002/14651858.CD004002.pub4
There are many different frameworks that you can use to structure your research question with clear parameters. The most commonly used framework is PICO:
Adapted from: https://libguides.reading.ac.uk/systematic-review/protocol
As well as PICO, there are other frameworks available, for instance:
This page from City, University of London, contains useful information on several frameworks, including the ones listed above.
Atfer you have created your research question, the next step is to develop a protocol which outlines the study methodology. You need to include the following:
To find out how much has been published on a particular topic, you can perform scoping searches in relevant databases. This can help you decide on the time limits of your study.
Adapted from: https://libguides.reading.ac.uk/systematic-review/protocol
It is good practice to register your protocol and often this is a requirement for future publication of the review.
You can register your protocol here:
Adapted from: https://libguides.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/systematic-reviews/methodology