Classic Question Formulation uses PICO:

• Population
• Intervention
• Comparison
• Outcome

For example, for the question: What factors affect compliance in a methadone maintenance program for patients with heroin addiction issues?

• P: Heroin addiction
• I: Methadone maintenance
• C: n/a
• O: compliance/dropouts

Another Way to Structure Your Search: Concept Boxes/Tables

Why should I try this approach?

This helps to structure your search and allows you to search more efficiently. You can now start to gather synonyms for each of the concept areas you've identified (for example, addiction and dependence are synonyms and should both be searched for this topic)

Some questions do not fit PICO. For instance, a systematic review on the cost-effectiveness of interventions for a disease may not have a simple outcome in mind.

Some people find brainstorming techniques such as concept mapping more helpful. Breaking the question down into concepts and thinking of different ways of saying or describing each concept.

For example, your initial research question might be: I would like to explore the factors affecting compliance with a methadone maintenance program for my patients with heroin addiction issues. Why do so many patients drop out or refuse to be treated in the first place?

Search question becomes: What factors affect compliance in a methadone maintenance program for patients with heroin addiction issues?