APPLYING A METHOD TO FRAME RESEARCH QUESTIONS FOR BIBLIOGRAPHIC SEARCHES IN A FINAL GRADUATION PROJECT WITH HEALTH SCIENCE STUDENTS

Introduction/Background:
Nowadays, the syllabi in line with the 1999 Bologna Declaration include a subject known as a final graduation project (FGP) that forms part of degree studies. FGPs can follow various methodologies: professional assignments, research projects, bibliographic reviews, among others.
Bibliographic searches are considered essential for research work. To correctly undertake a FGP, it is particularly interesting to have a series of data and tools to help correctly perform bibliographic searches, and it is especially meaningful to know how to frame research questions.
The PICO method (population, intervention, comparison and outcome or result) method is a possible tool that can help correctly frame research questions. This method is used in Evidence-Based Life Sciences and can be applied to the bibliographic search process when undertaking a FGP.
So it would be interesting to train students in their final degree year who have to undertake FGPs in the usefulness of this research question framing method, and to also know its application as an element to help students undertake their FGPs.

Objective:
Design a pilot scheme to train students in their final degree year in this research question framing method as a facilitating element to correctly perform the bibliographic searches needed for their FGPs.

Method:
A quanti-qualitative pilot scheme with 12 participants who attended a seminar which included training in framing research questions as a tool for performing bibliographic searches following the PICO method. Four participants who were not trained in it were also included.
Using a questionnaire devised by the authors, the degree of knowledge and satisfaction of the students who had undertaken their FGPs following the PICO method, and the extent to which this instrument had helped them undertake their FGPs, was learned. The questionnaire included closed dichotomic-type questions, open qualitative questions, and socio-demographic data.

Results:
All the participants trained during the seminar in framing research questions as a pilot scheme and completed the final data collection questionnaire indicated that, thanks to the training received, had found it much easier to perform the bibliographic search on the chosen subject for their FGPs. Those who did not receive PICO method training and were not familiar with PICO considered it would have been useful for them to perform their FGPs.

Conclusions:
Providing data and tools to correctly perform bibliographic searches, in particular to frame research questions like the PICO method, to students who must undertake a FGP could help them with their FGPs and any other research work.