Before you develop your research topic or question, you'll need to do some background research first.
Some good places to find background information:
Try the library databases below to explore your topic. When you're ready, move on to refining your topic.
PICO:
P-Population
This is based off of the characteristics of a population, with examples of variables being age, race, and gender, with a set of specific condition or set of circumstances.
I-Intervention or Interest
This variable would be a treatment, diagnostic test, or therapy.
C-Comparison Group
This is the comparison treatment to the intervention selected. The comparison may be with another medication, another form of treatment such as exercise, or no treatment at all otherwise known as a control group.
O-Outcome
What would be the desired result, and what result is not desired? What is your goal with this research? Outcomes should be measurable.
Now that you've done some background research, and thought of your PICO question, you might need to troubleshoot your topic if you do not find any results.
The easiest way to do this is to change the variables in your PICO question.
Example:
P: Children
I: Use of Electric Toothbrush
C: Use of Standard Toothbrush
O: Reduction of Plaque
We can change any of these outcomes to help in finding results.
Ex. An Alternative in Outcomes it could be "Better Gum Health" instead of Reduction of Plaque