Research Question Formulation Skill

Purpose

Develop high-quality research questions using FINER criteria.

FINER Criteria

F – Feasible

• Adequate participants available
• Sufficient technical expertise
• Affordable in time and money
• Manageable in scope

I – Interesting

• Interesting to investigator and community
• Relevant to scientific knowledge
• Relevant to clinical/policy importance

N – Novel

• Confirms/refutes previous findings
• Extends previous findings
• Provides new findings

E – Ethical

• IRB approvable
• Benefits outweigh risks
• Equipoise exists

R – Relevant

• Advances scientific knowledge
• Influences clinical practice or policy
• Informs future research

Examples

Poor Question: “Does stress affect health?”

• Too broad, not specific

Better Question: “Does chronic work-related stress increase cardiovascular disease risk in middle-aged adults?”

• Specific population, exposure, outcome

Best Question: “Among adults aged 40-60 with high job strain (Karasek Job Content Questionnaire score >24), does a 12-week mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention reduce systolic blood pressure compared to usual care?”

• PICO format: Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome
• Measurable variables
• Specific timeframe

Version: 1.0.0