Searching: Research frameworks

Learn some useful search techniques, improve your search results and confidently undertake research using the Library Search or databases.

Page summary (floating)

Research frameworks can help you generate keywords, search terms and define your research question. PICO and PEO are primarily used for health and life sciences subjects.

PICO (quantitative framework)

To use PICO, answer each quantitative theme:

 

Population or Problem

What is the population or problem?

Example: Hospital acquired infection

Intervention(s)

What is(are) the intervention(s) related to the Population / Problem?

Example: Handwashing

Counter-Intervention(s) or Comparison

What is (are) the related counter-intervention(s)?

Example: No handwashing; other solutions e.g. masks

Outcome measure(s)

What is(are) the outcome(s) of the Intervention(s)?

Example: Reduced Infection rates

PEO (qualitative framework)

To use PEO, answer each qualitative theme:

 

Population

What is the concerned population?

Example: Young Women

Experience

What is this population experiencing?

Example: Cervical Screening

Outcomes or Themes

What are the outcomes or themes?

Example: Attitudes