Writing Your Research Protocol​

Determining Your Research Question. A literature review, PICOT, FINER and your project mentor can help you specify a research question that leads to a focused, feasible study.

PICOT:

P – Population 
I – Intervention 
C – Comparison 
O – Outcome 
T – Time Frame

FINER:

F - Feasability 
I - Interesting 
N - Novel 
E - Ethical 
R - Relevant

See this short guide for more details on developing research questions. Once your question is specified, this checklist can help you determine if your project is feasible.

Protocol Development. A research protocol is the instruction manual for your study. Write it so that someone new to your study can follow the directions and carry out the study procedures correctly. Your protocol should include the following:

• Background and Significance: Why your study should be done
• Research Question / Hypothesis
• Specific Aims: The specific goals of your study
• Inclusion / Exclusion: Who you are studying
• Outcomes and Key Data Items: What you are measuring
• Study Design and Data Collection Process: Your overall study design and how you will obtain data
• Statistical Analysis Plan: Your planned sample size and statistical analysis

Use this template as a guide.