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What is the Evidence Hierarchy? (#25)

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The evidence hierarchy lists various study types according to the quality of evidence that they produce. Study types expected to deliver good quality, reliable, applicable research are at the top of the pyramid.

Different study types can be used to research different types of problems. Study types have key characteristics that define them. These characteristics may affect the quality of the study such as whether the study is prone to bias or how accurate the results will be. These are things to consider when you are deciding to include a paper as part of your evidence.

Image showing the Evidence Hierarchy pyramid - with case reports at the bottom and systematic reviews at the top; the quality of evidence increases up the pyramid
Image showing the Evidence Hierarchy pyramid - with case reports at the bottom and systematic reviews at the top; the quality of evidence increases up the pyramid

As we have seen with our other evaluation tools, it is not about deciding whether a paper is good or poor but whether it is good, reliable and appropriate to answer your question.

Learn more about the Evidence Hierarchy and study types by completing our online tutorial.

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