From the idea to the research question and hypothesis

The research idea, research question, hypothesis, and research objective collectively form the bedrock of every scientific study and thus demand careful and precise development. Guidelines such as the FINER (feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, relevant) and PICOT (population, intervention, comparison group, outcome of interest, and time) criteria provide a structured approach to establishing the study’s foundation. Ultimately, clinical relevance and a well-defined study concept are pivotal for a successful publication process and the scientific contribution that a study can make to the current literature.