HOW TO FRAME A RESEARCH QUESTION AND SUB-RESEARCH QUESTION FOR PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDIES
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• Framing a research question for prospective cohort studies requires careful consideration of the specific research topic and population of interest.
• Here are some steps to follow to frame a research question and sub-questions for prospective cohort studies:
1.Identify the main research question: The main research question should be a focused, hypothesis-driven question that clearly defines the research objective.
2.Define the population of interest: The research question should clearly define the population of interest
3.Specify the exposure or intervention of interest: The exposure or intervention of interest should be specified in the research question..
4.Consider the outcome of interest: The research question should clearly define the outcome of interest.
5.Develop sub-questions: Sub-questions can be used to provide more detail and clarity to the main research question.
Example research question: Does regular physical activity reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease among middle-aged adults over a 10-year period, compared to sedentary ones?
Sub-questions:
• What is the incidence rate of cardiovascular disease among the study population over the 10 years?
• What is the level of physical activity among the study population, and how does it vary over time?
• What are the demographic and lifestyle characteristics of the study population, and how do they influence the risk of cardiovascular disease?
• How does the risk of cardiovascular disease vary according to different levels of physical activity after controlling for other demographic and lifestyle factors?
• What is the dose-response relationship between physical activity and the risk of cardiovascular disease among middle-aged adults over a 10-year period?
Some possible research objectives based on the research question:
• To investigate the incidence rate of cardiovascular disease among middle-aged adults over a 10-year period.
• Assess the level of physical activity among the study population and how it varies over time.
• To examine the demographic and lifestyle characteristics of the study population and how they influence the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• After controlling for other demographic and lifestyle factors, determine the relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk among middle-aged adults.
• To explore the dose-response relationship between physical activity and the risk of cardiovascular disease among middleaged adults over a 10-year period.
