East Carolina University: RN to BSN Library Research Guide: Research Questions & PICO

Nursing research questions and using PICO

In your nursing research class you will be asked to come up with a research question that is formatted using the PICO framework. 

PICO stands for: population, intervention, comparison, and outcome. These are four individual concepts that can help you to formulate a nursing research question and help you come up with the best keywords for your research. 

I've found this short video to be one of the very best to explain how to use the PICO framework when developing a research question: 

Additional suggested libguides & videos: 

• Libguide - Picking a PICO: https://libguides.siue.edu/c.php?g=333872&p=2244149
• Libguide - Focusing the Question (Recommended by your Instructor!): https://libguides.ecu.edu/c.php?g=89808&p=579757
• Video - Searching with the PICO method: https://youtu.be/KDtsQyar5Xk
• Video - Choosing PICO terms: https://youtu.be/GX3BspxhMUc