Engineering (Basic)
What is PICO?
P = Population, Problem, Process
The population doesn't need to be human. In engineering, it is most often a problem or process.
I = Intervention, Inquiry, Investigation, Improvement
Possible solution
C = Comparison
Current practice or opposing viewpoints
O = Outcomes
Measuring what worked best
Asking the Searchable Question
PICO Question | Engineering
Background | Five Ws
Who or What equals Population, Problem or Process
How or Why equals Intervention, Investigation or Improvement
When equals Special conditions
Example: How can PV cells be made more efficient, especially in low sun conditions?
Ask broad topical question and read to:
- build knowledge base.
- identify trending facts, issues, cutting edge research
- lay foundation for asking focused research question
Foreground | PICO
Example: In PV cells (P) how does using gallium (I) compared to silicon (C) improve electrical production efficiency (O)?
Formulate research question using PICO to:
- identify research elements related to topic
- select keywords representing those elements
- retrieve relevant research articles when PICO keywords appear in TI,AB
Searching the Answerable Question
Search in Compendex & Inspec:
SS1: (PV or photovoltaic) AND (gallium OR silicon) AND efficien*
SS2: ((((PV or photovoltaic) WN TI) AND ((gallium OR silicon) WN TI)) AND ((efficien*) WN TI))
Search in Academic Search Premier:
SS1: (PV or photovoltaic) AND (gallium OR silicon) AND efficien*
SS2: TI (PV or photovoltaic) AND TI (gallium OR silicon) AND TI efficien*