Whilst cataloguing a new book, Evidence-based nursing care guidelines
(2008) Ackley, I noticed in the inside cover a level of evidence
pyramid. It is the the first attempt I've seen that mixes quantitative
and qualitative research designs together. For the record its hierarchy
goes:
Level 1 Systematic reviews/Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines
based on systematic reviews of RCTs/3 or more RCTs of good quality
wioth similar results
Level 2 One or two RCTs
Level 3 Controlled trials without randomization
Level 4 Case control or cohort studies
Level 5 Systematic reviews of descriptive and qualitative studies
(meta-synthesis)
Level 6 Descriptive or qualitative study
Level 7 Opinions of authorities and/or reports of expert committees
An interesting divergence from the traditional modeels I've seen.
John Addison
Library Manager
Education Centre Library
Royal Oldham Hospital
Rochdale Rd
Oldham
OL1 2JH
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