IACUC and Animal Welfare Resources: Step 1: The Research Question

Begin your search process with documenting your research question. Then think through what aspects of your question will require topics to be searched.  For example, if you are planning a pharmacokinetic study of plasma concentrations of a drug in a rabbit model to identify the drug half life, then one of your topics may be related to getting the blood samples from the rabbits. 

Topic

A research topic is the subject you are interested in investigating. 

• Example: Blood sampling in Rabbits

Searchable Question 

A searchable research question is what drives your investigation. It is something you seek to explore about the topic. For example, using the topic outlined above on blood sampling in Rabbits, what is it about blood sampling in Rabbits that you want to explore? Are you seeking for ways to reduce pain and stress involved in blood drawing through methods such using as positive reinforcement, sedation etc.? 

Your research question should be comprehensive, searchable and relevant.

Some tips for developing a research question include: 

• Finding your topic of interest 
• Searching for background information on the topic 
• Framing your research question 
  • What are you seeking to learn about the topic? 
  • What has already been done in the literature about the topic? 
  • Who is involved? 
  • Are you making comparisons? 
  • How is your research different from others? How will it expand on what is already out there? 

Searchable Research Question Example 

Here is an example research question using the topic of blood sampling in Rabbits. 

Example: "What factors under the researcher's control can make repeated blood samplings in Rabbits less stressful or painful?"

As you begin to search the literature, you will find yourself modifying your research question. Searching the literature can help further define or develop your research question.