Framework-Guided Formulation
Select the most suitable RQ framework and apply it systematically — when the research type is clear, use a standard framework to structure the question.
When to Use
- The research type is clear (quantitative/qualitative/mixed/evaluation)
- A corresponding standard framework is available
- You need to ensure all components of the question are complete
Thinking Framework
Core logic: Different research types have different standards for a "good question." A framework is a checklist, distilled by predecessors, of "what components a good question should contain." Pick the right framework → fill in each component → naturally arrive at a structured question.
Framework Selection Guide
| Research type |
Recommended framework |
Core components |
| Quantitative/intervention research |
PICO/PICOTS |
Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (+Time, Setting) |
| Qualitative research |
SPIDER |
Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type |
| Evaluation research |
SPICE |
Setting, Perspective, Intervention, Comparison, Evaluation |
| Mixed methods |
ECLIPSE |
Expectation, Client group, Location, Impact, Professionals, Service |
Framework Application Principles
- Every component must be explicitly filled in (no blanks)
- Filled content must be specific (not "relevant population" but "type 2 diabetes patients aged 18–65")
- If a component is not applicable, explicitly state why it is not applicable
Budget Gate
| Tier |
Framework candidates |
Framework application |
FINER check |
Output |
| S |
≥2 frameworks compared |
Selected framework, all components filled |
All 5 items pass |
≥1 RQ |
| M |
≥3 frameworks compared |
Selected framework, all components + alternative framework comparison |
5 items + success criteria |
≥2 RQ |
| L |
≥4 frameworks compared |
Multiple frameworks applied in parallel + optimal selection |
5 items + criteria + sensitivity |
≥3 RQ |
Default Reference Flow
- Determine the research type (quantitative/qualitative/mixed/evaluation)
- Match candidate frameworks (framework-matching SOP)
- Apply the selected framework (pico/spider/spice/eclipse-application SOP)
- FINER check (finer-criteria-check SOP)
- Revise failed items → re-check
- Produce the final RQ
context-checkpoint
After the Strategy completes, context-checkpoint must be called, recording:
- The selected framework and rationale
- The filled content of each framework component
- The FINER check results
- The final RQ statement
Available Tactics
Optional, no fixed order; the final leaf is always a sop.
| Tactic |
When to use |
| framework-selection-and-application |
Tactic: Select the most suitable RQ framework and apply it systematically |
| question-refinement-loop |
Tactic: iteratively refine a research question until it passes all 5 FINER criteria |
1---2name: framework-guided-formulation3description: Strategy: Select an RQ framework (PICO/SPIDER/SPICE/ECLIPSE) and apply it systematically4---56# Framework-Guided Formulation78Select the most suitable RQ framework and apply it systematically — when the research type is clear, use a standard framework to structure the question.910## When to Use1112- The research type is clear (quantitative/qualitative/mixed/evaluation)13- A corresponding standard framework is available14- You need to ensure all components of the question are complete1516## Thinking Framework1718Core logic: Different research types have different standards for a "good question." A framework is a checklist, distilled by predecessors, of "what components a good question should contain." Pick the right framework → fill in each component → naturally arrive at a structured question.1920### Framework Selection Guide2122| Research type | Recommended framework | Core components |23|----------|---------|---------|24| Quantitative/intervention research | PICO/PICOTS | Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome (+Time, Setting) |25| Qualitative research | SPIDER | Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type |26| Evaluation research | SPICE | Setting, Perspective, Intervention, Comparison, Evaluation |27| Mixed methods | ECLIPSE | Expectation, Client group, Location, Impact, Professionals, Service |2829### Framework Application Principles3031- Every component must be explicitly filled in (no blanks)32- Filled content must be specific (not "relevant population" but "type 2 diabetes patients aged 18–65")33- If a component is not applicable, explicitly state why it is not applicable3435## Budget Gate3637| Tier | Framework candidates | Framework application | FINER check | Output |38|------|---------|---------|-----------|------|39| S | ≥2 frameworks compared | Selected framework, all components filled | All 5 items pass | ≥1 RQ |40| M | ≥3 frameworks compared | Selected framework, all components + alternative framework comparison | 5 items + success criteria | ≥2 RQ |41| L | ≥4 frameworks compared | Multiple frameworks applied in parallel + optimal selection | 5 items + criteria + sensitivity | ≥3 RQ |4243## Default Reference Flow44451. Determine the research type (quantitative/qualitative/mixed/evaluation)462. Match candidate frameworks (framework-matching SOP)473. Apply the selected framework (pico/spider/spice/eclipse-application SOP)484. FINER check (finer-criteria-check SOP)495. Revise failed items → re-check506. Produce the final RQ5152## context-checkpoint5354After the Strategy completes, context-checkpoint must be called, recording:55- The selected framework and rationale56- The filled content of each framework component57- The FINER check results58- The final RQ statement5960<!-- BEGIN available-tables (generated) -->6162## Available Tactics6364Optional, no fixed order; the final leaf is always a sop.6566| Tactic | When to use |67| --- | --- |68| framework-selection-and-application | Tactic: Select the most suitable RQ framework and apply it systematically |69| question-refinement-loop | Tactic: iteratively refine a research question until it passes all 5 FINER criteria |7071<!-- END available-tables (generated) -->
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