For clinicians starting a research project, it is common to set out with a preconceived idea about a particular design that could be used – “I’ve always wanted to conduct a clinical trial” or “I want to do a qualitative study” rather than focusing first on setting a clear question. The most important first step in the research process is to develop a clear research question that accurately reflects the clinical problem. Written well, the research question will then help you to determine the correct study design and methods to use. In this video, the importance of setting up the research question first is discussed.
