Formulating or defining your research question is an essential part of the systematic review process. What question is it that you want to answer and how will you articulate that question. To anticipate what sort of results you might get it is good to start with a exploratory scoping search (not to be confused with a Scoping Review). This allows you to see what potential results might be out there. Look at the process illustrated below and the 'Exploratory Search Plan Example'. You can then download and save for later the 'Search Planner Template' and have a go yourself.
Getting started
The process to the exploratory search takes you through four sections which interlink in a circular way. When defining your question you need to be clear and concise. Too broad a question may result in too many results and too narrow a question in too few.
- The exploratory Search process pdfAn accessible description of the exploratory search process.
Exploratory search planner
- Exploratory Search Plan ExampleAn example of what a exploratory search could look like. Look at this before filling in your own search planner.
- Search Planner TemplateA template for planning your search. Complete the Getting started: section first the rest will be filled in later.
Frameworks for Research questions
Frameworks for breaking down your research question.
For an overview of different frameworks including links to further information please see the University of Maryland Library website. These frameworks include:
- PICO(S): PESTEL: SPIDER: SPICE: PerSPECTiF: PEO