How to formulate an answerable question

A well-structured question helps you to define the focus of the project or need. It also defines the boundaries to guide your search for evidence.

Here you will learn to:

  • Identify the type of question that is being asked
  • Use a framework to describe the issue in terms that can be used to define a question

In EBP the need to identify research evidence begins with a problem or issue relating to a patient, population, or service. From this, formulating a question that can be answered is a critical step. It influences where you search for evidence and the type of research studies that can provide you with useful evidence. There are frameworks available to help you with this task. Before selecting a framework to guide development of your question it can help to first identify the type of question you have.

Getting started

Last updated 02 June 2026