Research and scholarly methods: Appraising the available literature to inform a research project

Abstract

A literature review with an evaluation of existing evidence is often the first step in designing a research project. This article provides a systematic framework and guide for clinicians, researchers, and clinician-scientists to appraise the available literature to inform a clinical research project. The three-step approach outlined in this article starts with defining your research question using the Population Intervention Comparator Outcome-Design framework, followed by evaluation of the existing evidence and identification of gaps that could be addressed by a research project, and ends with guidance to refine the research question and start preparing a protocol.