Quality of Evidence Hierarchy
Hierarchy of Evidence
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Evidence Level |
Types of Evidence |
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RESEARCH EVIDENCE |
Level I |
-Systematic review of RCTs, with or without meta-analysis -Experimental study, randomized controlled trial (RCT) -Explanatory mixed methods design that includes only a Level I quantitative study
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Level II |
-Systematic review of a combination of RCTs and quasi-experimental studies, or quasi-experimental studies only, with or without meta-analysis -Quasi-experimental study -Explanatory mixed methods design that includes only a Level II quantitative study |
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Level III |
-Systematic review of a combination of RCTs, quasi-experimental and nonexperimental studies, or nonexperimental studies only, with or without meta-analysis. - Nonexperimental study (Single group) -Exploratory, convergent, or multiphasic mixed methods studies -Explanatory mixed methods design that includes only a Level III quantitative study -Qualitative study -Systematic review of qualitative studies with or without meta-synthesis |
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NON-RESEARCH EVIDENCE |
Level IV |
Opinion of respected authorities and/or nationally recognized expert committees or consensus panels based on scientific evidence. Includes: -Clinical practice guidelines -Consensus panels/position statements |
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Level V |
Based on experiential and non-research evidence. Includes: -Scoping reviews -Integrative reviews -Literature reviews -Quality improvement, program or financial evaluation -Case reports -Opinion of nationally recognized expert(s) based on experiential evidence |
2022 Johns Hopkins Health System/Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
Dang, D., Dearholt, S., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2022). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model and guidelines. 4th ed. Sigma Theta Tau International