Research Questions

In the future, the Bureau of Sages will be

asked to provide feedback to researchers on
their ideas, including research questions.
To start preparing for this role, today we will
1. Review an example of a topic and research
question
2. Discuss what makes a good research question

Lets Review
Comparative Effectiveness Research
Comparative

Compare two interventions

Interventions that have already
been studied

Effectiveness

See which one is more effective

Effects on specific health outcomes
(Patient Reported Outcomes)

Research

Plan and conduct a research study

Include the patient perspective
(Patient-Centered)
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Topic from June Retreat:

Stress and Health Outcomes

A Comparative Effectiveness Research

Study of Stress Management
The goal of this study is to better understand
Condition/Problem:
the potential value of reducing stress to
minimize risk factors for cardiovascular
disease.
Outcome:
Risk factors include both psychological and
physiological responses to emotional stress.
Interventions:
The study compares : 1) stress reduction
training to 2) training combined with guided
meditation.
Population:
The sample is made up of healthy adults age
18-65 years.
Identify the important details
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What are the important details of this

research study?
Condition/Problem:
Health Outcome:
Interventions:
Population:

One way to state the research question:

Condition/Problem:

What is the value of stress management

Outcome:
training compared to training combined
with guided meditation for reducing
Interventions:
negative responses to emotional stress
among healthy adults?
Population:

Is this a good research question?

Interesting?

Do researchers know enough?

Does the topic matter?

Relevant?

Will the results be helpful?

Will the results be useful?

Feasible?

Is the topic specific enough?

Will they be able to get the data?

Ethical?

Could harm study participants?

Could it benefit them & others?
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