# Pico Application

> SOP: apply the PICO/PICOTS framework to structure a research question

- Skill: `yogsoth-ai/pico-application` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add yogsoth-ai/pico-application`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/yogsoth-ai/pico-application/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Research & Search
- Author: yogsoth-ai (https://skillmd.com/u/yogsoth-ai)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/yogsoth-ai/pico-application

---


# PICO Application

Apply the PICO/PICOTS framework — suited to quantitative/interventional research.

## HARD-GATE

<HARD-GATE>
Input must contain: a clear research intent (involving an intervention or quantitative comparison).
</HARD-GATE>

## Pipeline

1. **Precondition check**: confirm the research is suited to the PICO framework
2. **P (Population)**: define the target population/subjects (specific characteristics)
3. **I (Intervention)**: define the intervention/exposure/method
4. **C (Comparison)**: define the control group/alternative
5. **O (Outcome)**: define the expected outcome/measurement indicator
6. **T (Timeframe)**: optional — define the time range
7. **S (Setting)**: optional — define the research setting
8. **Assembly**: assemble the components into a complete RQ sentence
9. **Output**: PICO fill-in table + RQ statement

## Output Format

```
P: [Specific population description]
I: [Specific intervention description]
C: [Specific comparison description]
O: [Specific outcome indicator]
T: [Time range] (optional)
S: [Research setting] (optional)

RQ: "In [P], does [I] compared to [C] improve [O] (within [T], in [S])?"
```