From an Observation to a Researchable Question
Experimental Design domain · Lesson 1 of 20 · Biomedical Innovations (BI)
Today's goal: Students will convert an observation about Mateo into a focused, answerable research question using the PICO framework, and separate researchable from non-researchable questions.
This is a model of the work you should turn in. Use it to check your own: match the structure and the level of detail, do not copy it. Your wording should be your own.
Original observation: Mateo has a cleft, and the team wonders if surgery timing changes his speech later.
PICO question (researchable):
- P (Population): infants with isolated cleft palate.
- I (Intervention): palate repair at 6 months.
- C (Comparison): palate repair at 12 months.
- O (Outcome): velopharyngeal insufficiency (a speech problem) measured at age 5.
Full question: Among infants with isolated cleft palate, does repair at 6 months rather than 12 months lead to fewer speech problems by age 5?
Data plan: assign timing, then have trained assessors who do not know each child's group measure the speech outcome at age 5; this is exactly the PICO shape the real TOPS trial used.
Contrast (not researchable): "Was it something the parents did wrong?" assigns blame and names no measurable outcome.
This model shows the level of evidence and organization needed to complete: A research question rewritten in full PICO form with a one-sentence data plan.
- Name the prompt or task.
- Answer it directly with the key evidence.
- Check that the response matches the requested format.
Keep the structure. Replace the question, facts, measurements, and evidence. Then recheck units, vocabulary, and whether the conclusion goes beyond the evidence.
Also due today: Trade cards with a partner and check that all four PICO slots are filled and the outcome is measurable.
The finished product above did not appear all at once. Here is the path from the question to the turned-in work, so you can follow the same steps.
- 1Start from today's question: What is outside the frame?
- 2Work the Model and the Explore questions to reason it out before writing anything.
- 3Pull the specific evidence the product needs from the reading and any database you used.
- 4Write it up in the required format: Pick one open question about Mateo and write it as a clean PICO question with all four parts (P, I, C, O) labeled, then write one sentence stating what kind of data you would collect to answer it and whether the outcome is something you could actually measure.
- 5Check it against the rubric, then submit.
| Criterion | Proficient | Developing | Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete | Every required part of the artifact is present and filled in. | Most parts are present, but one is missing or left blank. | Several parts are missing. |
| Accurate | The science and data are correct and match the evidence. | Mostly correct, with a small factual slip. | Key science or data is wrong. |
| Scientific reasoning (CER) | States a claim, backs it with specific evidence, and explains the reasoning. | Has a claim and evidence, but the reasoning is thin or missing. | Gives an answer with no evidence or reasoning. |
| Professional communication | Clear, organized, and labeled the way a clinician or scientist would write it. | Readable but disorganized or missing labels. | Hard to follow. |
| Submitted | Turned in through the route named under Submit here and confirmed. | Turned in, but in the wrong place or unconfirmed. | Not turned in. |
- CompleteProficient: Nothing is left blank: the model fills every part of "Pick one open question about Mateo and write it as a clean PICO question with all four parts (P, I, C, O) labeled, then write one sentence stating what kind of data you would collect to answer it and whether the outcome is something you could actually measure.".
- AccurateProficient: Every number and claim matches the case evidence.
- Scientific reasoning (CER)Proficient: It names a claim, cites the specific evidence, and explains the reasoning, not just the answer.
- Professional communicationProficient: It is organized and labeled like a real chart note.
- SubmittedProficient: It would be attached to your class form or handed in, and confirmed.
One exam-style question that uses exactly what you practiced today. Try it before you reveal the answer, then read why each choice is right or wrong.
Tap an answer to see the full explanation. Nothing is recorded or graded.
It builds this reusable test skill: Recognizing a researchable PICO question versus a non-researchable one.
- Name the concept or data pattern being tested.
- Cross out choices that violate that rule or the evidence.
- Justify the best remaining choice before checking the answer.