Formulate a review question


In mixed studies reviews, there may be one qualitative question, or one quantitative question, or a qualitative and a quantitative question (see examples in the table below).

 

For example, a question on the effectiveness of an intervention is traditionally framed using all elements of the PICO structure, or any of its variant forms such as PICOS or PICOT (Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, 2009; O'Connor, Green and Higgins, 2008; Rios, Ye and Thabane, 2010; Stillwell, Fineout-Overholt, Melnyk and Williamson, 2010). These letters stand for: 

 

For qualitative and mixed studies reviews, other frameworks for structuring questions have been proposed such as: 

 

Tip: You can use the attached checklist(s) for (self)assessing qualitative and quantitative questions.

 

References:

 

Examples

Designs (see section on synthesis) Example of review questions:  Questions adapted from: 
Convergent qualitative Qualitative question (PI): What are the (types of or key) processes of making shared decisions with palliative care patients? Bélanger et al. (2011)
Convergent quantitative

Quantitative question (PIT): What are the frequencies of the different paradigms and methods used in negotiation research studies in 1964-1993 compared to 1994-2004? 

 The objective was to identify the shifts that occurred in the negotiation research literature.

Buelens et al. (2008)
Sequential explanatory  Quantitative question (PICO): For pregnant women, do diet and physical activity interventions prevent excessive gestational weight gain compared to no intervention (e.g., routine prenatal care)?

 

Followed by a qualitative question (PIO):  What are the viewpoints of pregnant women with regard to types of factors associated with the implementation and outcomes of diet and physical activity interventions preventing excessive gestational weight gain?

Campbell et al. (2011)
Sequential exploratory  Qualitative question (PI): What are the views of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients on the barriers and facilitators influencing the attendance to pulmonary rehabilitation?

 

Followed by a quantitative questions (PIO):  Is there any association between the level of up-take and completion of pulmonary rehabilitation by COPD patients and the identified barriers and facilitators ?

Keating et al. (2011)

 

References: