EDUCATION
I have my research question, now what? Using the hierarchy of evidence to inform your decisions .
When comparing studies to answer a clinical question, it helps to picture an evidence pyramid. Designs placed higher in the pyramid tend to carry less bias and offer a clearer view of an intervention’s true effect, but quality still outweighs quantity. Unfiltered studies range from case reports to randomized trials, while filtered sources—especially systematic reviews—synthesize findings but remain limited by the quality of the underlying research. Context also matters, since higher-tier designs may not always be feasible or necessary, and lower-level evidence can play an important role in early innovation. Ultimately, recommendations rely on the full body of evidence, interpreted through both methodological rigor and the needs of the clinical question.
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