This set of training materials about defining a review question can be used in your workshops and adapted to your needs. 

Before beginning work on a review, it is important to have a clear and detailed idea of the question to be answered. The slidecast presentation explains the importance of a well-defined review question, and gives guidance on scoping, eligibility criteria and using PICO to frame your question.

The presentation can be downloaded as a PowerPoint presentation for your own training purposes.

These resources have been translated into several languages other than English. Select an available language from the list at the top right of this page.

An exercise is available to download for participants use the PICO tool to define a review question and eligibility criteria.  This exercise includes a series of prompt questions to support using each element of the PICO tool (population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, study design).

A video of a real world example exercise shows a group of review authors using the PICO tool to work through their review questions.

A downloadable content map includes references for trainers as to where accompanying material is available (such as reference to appropriate sections in the Cochrane Handbook), as well as descriptions of practical exercises to accompany the training.

A link to the policy on using standard training materials is provided.

The policy on using standard training materials is available here.

After using this resource, you should be able to...

• Describe the importance of a clear and well-defined review question
• Summarise the components of a review question included in a protocol
• Apply PICO as a tool to scope and and develop review questions
• Prepare a training session on how to define a review question

Downloads

• Defining a review question - slides
• Defining a review question - exercise (PICO table)
• Defining a review question - content map

Author information

Cumpston, Miranda

Approved by the Cochrane Methods Board on 18 October 2010.

Materials compiled by Miranda Cumpston, based on materials by the Australasian Cochrane Centre and the Canadian Cochrane Centre.