Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Research Process
  • Manuscript Preparation
  • Manuscript Review
  • Publication Process
  • Publication Recognition
  • Language Editing Services
  • Translation Services
  • Language Editing Services
  • Translation Services
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
WeChat
x
Elsevier QRcode Wechat
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
Language Editing Services by Elsevier Author Services
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Research Process
  • Manuscript Preparation
  • Manuscript Review
  • Publication Process
  • Publication Recognition
  • English
Clinical Questions: PICO and PEO Research
  • Research Process

Clinical Questions: PICO and PEO Research

  • 4 minute read
  • 143.6K views
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0
0
0

Table of Contents

  • What is a PICO Question?
    • How to Write a PICO Question
  • What is a PEO Question?
    • How to Write a PEO Question
  • Using PICO and PEO Research Questions for Literature Reviews of Searching
  • Clinical Question Formats

When you’re beginning the clinical research process, one of your first decisions will be around framing your clinical question. That, in turn, will depend on if your research is quantitative, or based on numerical data, or qualitative research based on non-numerical data. A PICO clinical question is tied to quantitative data, whereas a PEO question relates to qualitative data.

Let’s take a look at both of these clinical question formats.

What is a PICO Question?

As mentioned above, a PICO research question is used when quantitative data is involved. PICO stands for:

  • P – Population, Patient and/or Problem: How do you describe the patients, people or the problem that you’re looking at?
  • I – Intervention: What are you considering for an intervention, exposure or factor?
  • C – Comparison: Do you have something to compare to the intervention, exposure or factor that you’re considering?
  • O – Outcome: What are you hoping to measure, improve, affect or accomplish?

So, essentially, your PICO question will answer the above aspects. This type of clinical question is most often used when the research is investigating evidence-based medicine or other interventions. However, the PICO question format can also be used for non-clinical settings, such as psychological interventions for school-age children, and how they relate to academic achievement.

How to Write a PICO Question

It can sometimes be a challenge to write PICO Questions, as they can be very complex. Since we are looking at evidence-based conclusions, great thought has to be put into formulating a PICO research question. Once the question has been written and clarified, it can help the researcher determine what type of study model will work best to answer the question. So, in a very real way, asking the question properly helps you select what type of study you’ll be conducting.

Fortunately, once you are comfortable with the elements of a PICO question, it almost becomes a plug and play model. For example, if you are looking at questions around prognosis, you might structure your PICO question like this:

Would ________________ (I) affect or influence _________________________ (O) with patients or people who have ___________________________________________________ (P) compared to __________________________(C)?

Another example of a PICO research question might include an inquiry into prevention:

With ___________________ (P) does the practice or use of ________________________ (I) reduce or prevent risk of __________________________(O), compared with __________________________(C)?

What is a PEO Question?

A PEO research question focuses on non-numerical data, or qualitative research. Here, relationships and associations are explored. For example, a PEO question can try to explore whether there is a correlation between taking baby aspirin and a lowered risk of heart attacks.

PEO stands for:

  • Population: Who are you studying? Infants? Males who are between the ages of 55 and 60? Adolescent females?
  • Exposure: What is your population exposed to? Baby aspirin? Soy supplements? Peanuts?
  • Outcome: What is the result of the exposure on your population? Lowered risk for heart attacks? Food allergies? Increased menstrual cramps?

How to Write a PEO Question

Writing a PEO question isn’t generally as complex as writing a PICO question, since you’re only looking at what population, what they’re exposed to, and what your expected outcome is. For example, if you’re looking at food allergies in infants, your PEO question might look like this:

In infants between the age of 6 to 9 months (P), is there an association between exposure to micro-doses of common food allergens (E) and reduced childhood food allergies? (O)

Similar questions can be explored this way:

In or with ___________________ (P), will ________________________(E) result in _________________________ (O)?

Using PICO and PEO Research Questions for Literature Reviews of Searching

Just as you might utilize PICO and PEO question formatting for designing your research, you can also tap into their formats when you’re looking for previous studies on your topic of interest. For example, if you are looking for information on dietary interventions and type 2 diabetes reversal, you can use keywords related to the formulation of a research question:

P: Individuals with type 2 diabetes
E: Mediterranean Diet
O: Reversal of type 2 diabetes

To find research related to the above question, you would pull out keywords, like:

“type 2 diabetes,” “reversal” and “Mediterranean Diet”

Clinical Question Formats

There are a wide variety of clinical question formats, in addition to PICO and PEO. These can include PICO(T), which adds a “time-frame” ingredient, and (P)PICO if your population is more complex, like white males, age 50-55.

The bottom line is that an effective clinical research question needs to be relevant to the patient or problem, and worded in a way that it’s easy for those looking for your research to find it. If you’re designing a research project, starting with an effective and well-written clinical research question is a critical first step.

Language Editing Plus

Writing your research manuscript requires flow and precision. Take advantage of Elsevier’s Language Editing Plus services, which include unlimited rounds of language review, a focus on flow and logic, as well as manuscript formatting to meet the requirements of your chosen journal. Try our price simulator, and get started today!

Type in wordcount for Plus
Total:
Follow this link if your manuscript is longer than 9,000 words.
Upload
Total
0
Shares
Post 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Send 0
Message 0
Previous Article
How to request the addition of an extra author before publication
  • Publication Process

How to Request the Addition of an Extra Author Before Publication

View Post
Next Article
What is Observational Study Design and Types
  • Research Process

What is Observational Study Design and Types

View Post
You May Also Like
what is a descriptive research design
View Post
  • Research Process

Descriptive Research Design and Its Myriad Uses

Doctor doing a Biomedical Research Paper
View Post
  • Research Process

Five Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Biomedical Research Paper

Writing in Environmental Engineering
View Post
  • Research Process

Making Technical Writing in Environmental Engineering Accessible

Risks of AI-assisted Academic Writing
View Post
  • Research Process

To Err is Not Human: The Dangers of AI-assisted Academic Writing

Importance-of-Data-Collection
View Post
  • Research Process

When Data Speak, Listen: Importance of Data Collection and Analysis Methods

choosing the Right Research Methodology
View Post
  • Research Process

Choosing the Right Research Methodology: A Guide for Researchers

Why is data validation important in research
View Post
  • Research Process

Why is data validation important in research?

Writing a good review article
View Post
  • Research Process

Writing a good review article

  • Write an Excellent Discussion in Your Manuscript

    6 Steps to Write an Excellent Discussion in Your Manuscript

    • 4 minute read
    View Post
  • Elsevier News Icon

    17 March 2021 – Elsevier’s Mini Program Launched on WeChat Brings Quality Editing Straight to your Smartphone

    • 2 minute read
    View Post
  • Publishing Biomedical Research

    Publishing Biomedical Research: What Rules Should You Follow?

    • 2 minute read
    View Post
  • Guide to Crafting Impactful Sentences

    A Guide to Crafting Shorter, Impactful Sentences in Academic Writing

    • 3 minute read
    View Post
  • How to Use Tables and Figures effectively in Research Papers

    How to Use Tables and Figures effectively in Research Papers

    • 3 minute read
    View Post
More Posts
  • Latex format
    How to submit articles to Elsevier journals using LaTeX format 
    • 4 minute read
  • Academic paper format
    Submission 101: What format should be used for academic papers?
    • 4 minute read
  • how to write a cover letter
    How to Write a Cover Letter for Your Manuscript? Here are the Tips and Examples
    • 3 minute read
  • Being Mindful of Tone and Structure in Artilces
    Page-Turner Articles are More Than Just Good Arguments: Be Mindful of Tone and Structure!
    • 5 minute read
  • How to Ensure Inclusivity in Your Scientific Writing
    A Must-see for Researchers! How to Ensure Inclusivity in Your Scientific Writing
    • 4 minute read
  • Tips to Efficient Spellchecks
    Essential for High-Quality Paper Editing: Three Tips to Efficient Spellchecks
    • 3 minute read
Price Calculator
Type in wordcount for Standard
Total:
Follow this link if your manuscript is longer than 12,000 words.
Upload
Learn more about
  • Research Process
  • Manuscript Preparation
  • Manuscript Review
  • Publication Process
  • Publication Recognition
  • News
Language Editing Services
Elsevier Author Services – Articles
  • Language Editing Services
  • Translation Services
Elsevier wordmark
Terms and conditions Privacy policy

Cookies are used by this site. To decline or learn more, visit our Cookies page.

All content on this site: Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V., its licensors, and contributors. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

RELX Wordmark

Input your search keywords and press Enter.