Table 2. PICO Format Structured Research Question.

Frame	Meaning	Example of Search Terms*: Diagnostic Accuracy of CT vs. MRI to Diagnose HCC
P (patients/participants/ population)	Specific patients/population to be investigated	#1. (liver OR hepatocellular) AND (cancer OR carcinoma)
I (index tests/intervention)	Index tests or intervention being evaluated	#2. magnetic resonance imaging
C (comparator/reference tests)	Tests or intervention to be compared	#3. computed tomography
O (outcome)	Outcome of interest such as diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic effect	#4. diagnosis OR sensitivity OR specificity OR receiver operating curve OR accuracy

^*Final search terms are #1 AND #2 AND #3 AND #4. CT = computed tomography, HCC = hepatocellular carcinoma, MRI = magnetic resonance imaging