This section provides resources on the different types of research questions and tools for forming a good research question. A research question guides an inquiry to create knowledge, whereas a clinical question guides the search for existing knowledge that can be applied to practice. Your research question might arise from a clinical question.
After skimming the literature, you may find that this area has been well investigated. You might then shift your question and literature search again. The next step will be to further focus your question and consider a pilot and feasibility study to help you refine your main research question for your full-scale research project.
Recommended Resources
- McMaster Resource: Forming Questions – Health Science Library
- Video: Formulating Research Questions – McMaster Program for Faculty Development
- External Resource: Formulating Research questions – Fraser Health Research Toolkit
Feasibility and Pilot Studies
Pilot studies are an excellent way to assess the feasibility of a large, expensive full-scale study by providing preliminary evidence on the clinical efficacy of a drug or intervention. Conducting a pilot study prior to the main study can enhance the likelihood of success of the main study and avoid unsuccessful ones.
- Presentation: Moving your research from idea to action: A hands-on exercise to map out a pilot study by Drs. Dee Mangin and Michelle Howard, Spring Retreat [Slides | Video]
- Journal Article: Thabane, L., Ma, J., Chu, R., Cheng, J., Ismaila, A., Rios, L. P., … & Goldsmith, C. H. (2010). A tutorial on pilot studies: the what, why and how. BMC medical research methodology, 10(1), 1-10.
Quality Improvement Studies
- Presentation: QI in Primary Care — When, how, and how is it different from research? by Drs. Dale Guenter and Kathryn Cottrell [Video | Slides]
- Website: Health Quality Ontario, Ontario Health
- Website: Quality, service improvement and redesign (QSIR), NHS England
- Learning Module: Inquire — Integrated Quality Improvement in Residency, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster Univesity
*DFM faculty members can access full text articles from the McMaster Health Sciences Library using your MacID. To request your MacID, or if you’re having issues, please email Faculty Relations at fmappts@mcmaster.ca.
Updates
- RKSB session from October 18, 2022 “Working with the experts: involving people with living and living experience in research” added to Social Accountability page.
Connect with Us
For support, feedback, or to suggest a resource, email dfmresearch@mcmaster.ca