FINER
FINER stands for feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, and relevant
The FINER framework* is used for formulating research questions (feasible, interesting, novel, ethical, and relevant). FINER allows researchers to ponder the philosophical, logical, and scientific implications of writing research questions.
Researchers have to evaluate their immediate empirical and clinical environment when planning to answer a research question. Researchers also have to be introspective in terms of how much time and effort they are willing to invest in a research study from inception to publication.
In order to meet all of the FINER criteria, researchers MUST become vested in the empirical literature. Research questions are grounded in the empirical literature. Mastery of the literature allows researchers to know what questions have been asked and which questions need answers.
Other important questions that researchers work through with the FINER framework include:
Researchers have to evaluate their immediate empirical and clinical environment when planning to answer a research question. Researchers also have to be introspective in terms of how much time and effort they are willing to invest in a research study from inception to publication.
In order to meet all of the FINER criteria, researchers MUST become vested in the empirical literature. Research questions are grounded in the empirical literature. Mastery of the literature allows researchers to know what questions have been asked and which questions need answers.
Other important questions that researchers work through with the FINER framework include:
- Will the question fill a meaningful "gap" in the knowledge base?
- What new evidence will the research question yield?
- How will study participants be protected from harm? How will confidentiality and anonymity be upheld? Informed consent?
- How will answering the research question impact clinical practice? Patient outcomes? Quality improvement? Health policy?
The FINER framework for creating research questions
There are five parts to the FINER framework:
Click on the Feasible Research Questions button to start working through each component of the FINER mnemonic.
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*Hulley SB, Cummings SR, Browner WS, Grady DG, Newman TB. Designing clinical research. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins; 2013.