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

1. Determine the research type (quantitative/qualitative/mixed/evaluation)
2. Match candidate frameworks (framework-matching SOP)
3. Apply the selected framework (pico/spider/spice/eclipse-application SOP)
4. FINER check (finer-criteria-check SOP)
5. Revise failed items → re-check
6. 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

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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 |

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