Systematically Tabulated Outcomes Research Matrix (STORM): a methodology to generate research hypotheses.

Creator(s)

Joseph G. Crompton
Tolulope A. Oyetunji, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Elliott R. Haut
Edward E. Cornwell
Adil H. Haider

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2014

Identifier

DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2013.10.018

Abstract

Background: Here we describe the Systematically Tabulated Outcomes Research Matrix (STORM) method to generate research questions from pre-existing databases with the aim of improving patient outcomes.

Materials and methods: STORM can be applied to a database by tabulating its variables into a matrix of independent variables (y-axis) and dependent variables (x-axis) and then applying each unique pairing of an independent and dependent variable to a patient population to generate potentially meaningful research questions.

Results: To demonstrate this methodology and establish proof-of-principle, STORM was applied on a small scale to the National Trauma Data Bank and generated at least seven clinically meaningful research questions.

Conclusion: When coupled with rigorous clinical judgment, the STORM approach complements the traditional method of hypothesis formation and can be generalized to outcomes research using registry databases across different medical specialties.

Journal Title

Surgery

Volume

155

Issue

3

First Page

541

Last Page

544

MeSH Keywords

Accidents; Traffic; Data Interpretation; Statistical; Data Mining; Databases; Factual; Female; Head Protective Devices; Humans; Male; Motorcycles; Registries; Research Design; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Injuries

Keywords

Health Outcomes Research; STORM; Research Questions

Comments

Grant support

• 1K08HS017952-01/HS/AHRQ HHS/United States

Recommended Citation

Crompton, J. G., Oyetunji, T. A., Haut, E. R., Cornwell, E. E., Haider, A. H. Systematically Tabulated Outcomes Research Matrix (STORM): a methodology to generate research hypotheses. Surgery 155, 541-544 (2014).