A Clear, Succinct Research Question Portends the Rest of the Story

Abstract

The goal of any research manuscript is to convey the story of a systematic answer to an important question in the field. A clear, succinct research or study question is what provides the storyline that connects all the sections of a manuscript. One of the most common strategies to developing a meaningful research question is the FINER approach, which encompasses five standards to determine the quality of a question: feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, and relevant. Using the FINER approach can provide the guidepost for all design and reporting decisions. This editorial recommends creating a study protocol aimed at answering your FINER research question before proceeding with any study.

Keywords

• research writing
• question
• study design
• hypothesis
• framework
• storyline