A mnemonic device, or memory device, is any learning technique that aids information retention or retrieval (remembering) in the human memory for better understanding.
When formulating the research question for your systematic review, there are multiple mnemonic frameworks that can be used to help create a focused and well-defined question, while helping you to break your question down into easy-to-search pieces. Below are a few of the most common question formation mnemonics used for different types of systematic reviews.
PICO is one of the most commonly seen question frameworks for systematic reviews in healthcare. Use this framework to search for quantitative review questions, especially ones relating to treatment interventions.
|
P |
I |
C |
O |
|
Patient, Population, Problem |
Intervention (or Exposure) |
Comparison (or Control) if appropriate |
Outcome |
|
Most important characteristics of patient (e.g. age, disease/condition, gender) |
Main intervention (e.g. drug treatment, diagnostic/screening test) |
Main alternative (e.g. placebo, standard therapy, no treatment, gold standard) |
What you are trying to accomplish, measure, improve, affect (e.g. reduced mortality or morbidity, improved memory) |
SPIDER is another question formulation mnemonic. SPIDER is designed to help search for qualitative and mixed methods research studies.
|
S |
PI |
D |
E |
R |
|
Sample |
Phenomenon of Interest |
Design |
Evaluation |
Research type |
SPICE is another question formulation mnemonic. SPICE is designed to help search for qualitative evidence.
|
S |
P |
I |
C |
E |
|
Setting (where?) |
Perspective (for whom?) |
Intervention (what?) |
Comparison (compared with what?) |
Evaluation (with what result?) |
ECLIPSE is another question formulation mnemonic. ECLIPSE is designed to help search for health policy and health management information.
|
E |
C |
L |
I |
P |
Se |
|
Expectation (improvement or information or innovation) |
Client group (at whom the service is aimed) |
Location (where is the service located?) |
Impact (outcomes) |
Professionals (who is involved in providing/improving the service) |
Service (for which services are you looking for information) |
PICO(S) is similar to PICO (see above), but has the additional option of focusing on particular study types.
|
P |
I |
C |
O |
S |
|
Patient, Population, Problem |
Intervention (or Exposure) |
Comparison (or Control) if appropriate |
Outcome |
Study Type |
|
Most important characteristics of patient (e.g. age, disease/condition, gender) |
Main intervention (e.g. drug treatment, diagnostic/screening test) |
Main alternative (e.g. placebo, standard therapy, no treatment, gold standard) |
What you are trying to accomplish, measure, improve, affect (e.g. reduced mortality or morbidity, improved memory) |
What type of study will answer your question most effectively (e.g. randomized controlled trials, comparative studies) |
PICO(T) is similar to PICO (see above), but has the additional option of focusing on the aspect of time, whether it is a specific time frame or the amount of time that is necessary to follow participants or the amount of time that is necessary for an intervention to take place or show outcomes.
|
P |
I |
C |
O |
T |
|
Patient, Population, Problem |
Intervention (or Exposure) |
Comparison (or Control) if appropriate |
Outcome |
Time |
|
Most important characteristics of patient (e.g. age, disease/condition, gender) |
Main intervention (e.g. drug treatment, diagnostic/screening test) |
Main alternative (e.g. placebo, standard therapy, no treatment, gold standard) |
What you are trying to accomplish, measure, improve, affect (e.g. reduced mortality or morbidity, improved memory) |
What time frame is best to answer your question? How long are participants observed, or how long will/does the intervention take? |
