Types of Research Questions: Descriptive, Predictive, or Causal

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2020 Aug;50(8):468-469. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2020.0703.

Abstract

A previous Evidence in Practice article explained why a specific and answerable research question is important for clinicians and researchers. Determining whether a study aims to answer a descriptive, predictive, or causal question should be one of the first things a reader does when reading an article. Any type of question can be relevant and useful to support evidence-based practice, but only if the question is well defined, matched to the right study design, and reported correctly. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(8):468-469. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.0703.

Keywords: clinical practice; evidence-based practice; research; study quality.

MeSH terms

  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Humans
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Research Design / standards*