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How to Search the Literature (Advanced)

This guide offers an eight step approach from identifying your topic to managing your search strategy and results

Formulate a Research Question

Why the Research Question Matters

The research question or statement is crucial. A well-formulated question helps you:

  • Focus your information needs

  • Identify key search concepts

  • Select appropriate resources and databases

 

Types of Research Questions

  • 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.

  • Qualitative Questions aim to discover meaning or gain an understanding of a phenomenon, experience, or context.

Tip: The type of research question, quantitative or qualitative, will guide your choice of framework.

 

Frameworks For Formulating Research Questions

Frameworks provide structure to develop clear, focused questions and surface the search concepts you’ll use in databases. Some frameworks are designed for quantitative research, others for qualitative, and some work for both.

This section includes:

  • Structured frameworks (components, templates, examples)

  • A process‑oriented framework (QFT)

  • A quick‑reference guide to choosing the right framework

Structured Frameworks

Framework

Components

Question Template

Example

 PICO(T)

Population/Problem, Intervention/Exposure, Comparison, Outcome, and 

Time Period/Type of Study

In [Population], do/does [Intervention] result in [Outcome] over [Time]?

In graduate bioengineering students (P), does participation in interdisciplinary research projects involving computational modeling and experimental validation (I), compared to coursework-only learning (C), lead to improved problem-solving skills and innovation in biomaterials design (O) over one academic year (T)?

PCC

Population, Concept, Concept

In [Population], how does [Concept] affect [outcome or comparison] in [Context]?

In adults with Type 2 Diabetes, how effective is continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in improving glycemic control compared to standard self-monitoring of blood glucose in outpatient primary care settings?

PS

Population/Problem, Situation

How do/does  [Population] experience [Situation]?

What are the most common molecular mechanisms involved in drug resistance among cancer patients undergoing targeted therapy?

PIE

Population, Intervention, Effect / Outcome

In [Population], how does [Intervention] affect [Effect/Outcome]?

In undergraduate biochemistry students (P), does the use of interactive molecular visualization tools (I) improve understanding of protein structure and function (E)?

PEO 

Population/Problem, Exposure, Outcomes/Themes
In [Population/Problem], how does [Exposure] influence [Outcomes/Themes]?
 

In patients with cardiovascular disease (P), how does exposure to implantable biomedical devices (E) affect long-term cardiac function and quality of life (O)?

FINER 

Feasibility, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant

Check against FINER criteria:

  • Feasible?

  • Interesting?

  • Novel?

  • Ethical?

  • Relevant?

Does oxidative stress influence protein misfolding in neurodegenerative disease models?

SPICE

Setting, Perspective, Intervention, Comparison, 

Evaluation

In [Setting], for [Perspective], how does [Intervention] compared to [Comparison] affect [Evaluation]?

In orthopedic surgical settings, for patients undergoing surgery, how does the use of biodegradable implants compared to traditional implants affect recovery time and bone regeneration?

SPIDER

Sample, Phenomena of Interest, 

Design, Evaluation, Research type

In [Sample], how does [Phenomena of Interest] affect [Evaluation] in [Design] studies?

In patients requiring prosthetics, how do 3D-printed limb prostheses affect mobility and patient satisfaction in mixed-method studies?

Process-Oriented Framework

Framework

Purpose

Steps / Components

Example
QFT (Question Formulation Technique)
An iterative process that helps to generate, refine, prioritize, and apply your knowledge to your questions.
 
It encourages divergent, convergent, and metacognitive thinking.
1. Design a QFocus
 
A stimulus (e.g., statement, image, short video, or brief article excerpt), not a question, used to seed inquiry.

2. Produce Questions
 
Brainstorm as many as possible without judgment. Follow 4 rules: ask lots, don’t critique, record exactly, convert statements into questions.

3. Improve Questions
 
Categorize as open/closed; convert between types to deepen inquiry.
 

4. Prioritize Questions

Select 2–3 key questions most relevant to your research focus.


5. Explore Next Steps
 
Choose a priority question, turn it into a QFocus, and repeat steps if needed.

6. Reflect
 
Analyze why questions were chosen, what was learned, and how question quality evolved.
QFocus: "Student engagement in online graduate courses"

Brainstorm:
What drives engagement?
How does peer interaction affect engagement?
Is instructor presence key?
 
Improve: Convert “What drives engagement?” (open) and “Does peer interaction affect engagement?” (closed).

Prioritize: “How does peer interaction affect engagement in online grad courses?”
 
Next: Use this as a refined QFocus for deeper exploration

Learn more about QFT Framework

Choosing a Framework Based on Question Type

Framework

Quantitative

Qualitative

Both

PICO(T)
✅
❌

 

PIE
✅
❌

 

SPICE
✅
❌

 

PCC

❌

✅
 

PEO

❌

✅

 

PS

❌

✅

 

SPIDER

❌

✅

 

QFT

 

 

✅

FINER

 

 

✅