Research method

1. The PICOT Method
You can create a well-constructed research question

2. Learning Object Objectives
When you finish reading this learning object, you should be able to:
 Recognize the various deconstructed parts of a PICOT statement
 Explain how the elements of a PICOT relate to each other
 Develop an appropriately-worded PICOT statement for research

3. What is PICOT? Population
Intervention
Comparison
Outcome
Time

4. POPULATION
“P” stands for
‘population’ – this is the
group of people about
which you are inquiring.
Example: Patients with
cystic fibrosis

5. INTERVENTION
“I” stands for
‘intervention’ – this is
the experimental factor
which will be applied to
your population
Example: inhaled
nebulized saline

6. COMPARISON
“C” can sometimes be
implied in the statement
– this is what you are
comparing your
intervention to.
Example: No change in
regular lung treatments

7. OUTCOME
“O” stands for
‘outcome’ – with this
phrase you make it clear
what you are expecting
or predicting to happen.
Example: Increase in
FEV1

8. TIME
“T” stands for ‘time’ –
some PICOT statements
may include this
parameter for
specificity.
Example: Over a six
month period

9. Example statement
 In patients with cystic fibrosis, does the inclusion of a daily inhaled saline
treatment over the course of six months increase FEV1 and overall lung function?
 Can you spot all of the elements of the PICOT?
Find:
 P*I*C*O*T
HINT: The “C” element is implied.

10. ASSESSMENT: CREATE YOUR OWN!
Use some of these elements to
create a good PICOT statement:
 Suicide rates
 Patients with depression
 Weekly therapy
 Adult diabetics
 Hemoglobin A1C
 Compliance
 Telehealth monitoring
 Cognitive therapy
 Pharmacological intervention
 Voluntary alcohol withdrawl
 Fish-oil enhanced nutritional
supplement
 Stabilizing weight
 Patients with advanced cancer

11. References
Clark, R. C., & Mayer, R. E. (2011). e-Learning and the science of instruction: Proven guidelines for consumers
and designers of multimedia learning (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons.
Hastings, C., & Fisher, C. A. (2014). Searching for proof: Creating and using an actionable PICO question. Nursing
Management, 45(8), 9-12. doi:10.1097/01.NUMA.0000452006.79838.67
Stone, P. W. (2002). Popping the (PICO) question in research and evidence-based practice. Applied Nursing
Research: ANR, 15(3), 197-198.