HomeCasa Refine a research question with PICO and the FINER criteria
Turn a vague idea into a clear research question: a PICO breakdown, three refined versions, a scored FINER assessment, measurable variables and a hypothesis. Designed for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity. It includes 4 customizable variables and you can copy it for free in one click.
Intermediate · Text · Pending editorial review
Prompt
Act as a research methodologist who advises master's and PhD students and applied research teams.
My starting point:
- Current idea or question: {{question}}
- Discipline: {{discipline}}
- Type of study I have in mind: {{study_type}}
- Available resources and timeline: {{resources}}
Deliverables:
1. Diagnosis: what is wrong with the current question (too broad, no defined population, not measurable, bias built into the wording, etc.).
2. Structured breakdown: use PICO (Population, Intervention or exposure, Comparison, Outcome) if it is quantitative; PEO or SPIDER if it is qualitative. Say which framework you chose and why.
3. Three refined versions of the question with different scopes (descriptive, comparative, explanatory or associational), each in a single sentence.
4. FINER assessment (Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant) of each version in a table with a 1-5 score and a short justification.
5. For the recommended version: main variables, how to measure each one, the hypothesis (or purpose statement, if qualitative) and the most suitable study design.
6. Feasibility risks and ethical issues (consent, personal data, vulnerable groups) to raise with the ethics board (IRB).
7. Search terms and synonyms for a first literature search to confirm the question really is novel.
Constraints:
- Do not claim there is a gap in the literature without checking: mark novelty as [FILL IN: confirm with a literature search] unless you cite real, verifiable studies.
- Do not invent references or prevalence figures.
- If key information is missing (for example, the population or data access), ask me up to three questions before answering.
Format: numbered sections, the FINER table and the final question highlighted in bold.How to use it
Write your idea even if it is rough. Answer the AI's follow-up questions and pick one of the three versions. Take the FINER table to your advisor to discuss feasibility, then run a search with the suggested terms to confirm novelty.
Usage example
Idea: does remote work affect mental health? · Discipline: occupational psychology · Study type: quantitative · Resources: 6-month master's thesis, online survey.
Sample output
1. Diagnosis
- Too broad: "remote work" and "mental health" each cover dozens of variables.
- No defined population: which sector, country, contract type?
- Bias in the wording: "affect" assumes an effect, and a cross-sectional survey can't establish causality.
2. PICO breakdown (quantitative)
| Element | Proposal |
|---|---|
| P | Office employees in [FILL IN: country, sector] |
| I/E | Remote days per week |
| C | Fully on-site (0 days) |
| O | Emotional exhaustion symptoms (validated scale [FILL IN]) |
3. Refined versions
- Descriptive: What level of emotional exhaustion do office employees report by number of remote days per week?
- Comparative: Does emotional exhaustion differ between fully remote, hybrid and on-site employees?
- Associational: Is the number of remote days associated with emotional exhaustion, controlling for workload and manager support?
4. FINER assessment
| Version | F | I | N | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 3 | [FILL IN: confirm with a literature search] | 5 | 3 |
| 3 | 4 | 4 | [FILL IN] | 4 | 5 |
Recommended: version 3, feasible with an online survey in 6 months and more useful to employers…
Key facts
- Category
- Research · Research questions
- Output type
- Text
- Level
- Intermediate
- Designed for
- ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity
- Verified in
- Pending editorial verification
- Variables
- Current idea or question, Discipline, Study type and Resources and timeline
- Language
- English
- Price
- Free, no sign-up
- Updated
- Nov 7, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Which framework should I use for a qualitative study?
PICO suits intervention studies best. For experiences or perceptions, PEO (Population, Exposure, Outcome) or SPIDER usually works better; the prompt picks one and explains why.
What does FINER stand for?
Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical and Relevant. It helps you drop questions that sound brilliant but cannot be answered with your resources.
What is this prompt for?
Turn a vague idea into a clear research question: a PICO breakdown, three refined versions, a scored FINER assessment, measurable variables and a hypothesis.
Which AI tools does it work with?
It is designed for ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity. We have not verified it in these tools yet, so results may vary between them.
How do I customize the prompt?
Click “Customize” and fill in the variables (Current idea or question, Discipline, Study type and Resources and timeline). The text updates instantly and you can then copy it in one click. Values are stored only in your browser.
Do I need experience to use it?
It is intermediate: it helps to know the topic so you can provide good context and review the result critically.
Is this prompt free?
Yes. Every HomeCasa Prompts prompt is free, with no sign-up or subscription. You can also use them in professional projects.
Can I trust the AI output?
Treat it as a high-quality draft: always check data, figures and important claims before publishing or making decisions.