When evaluating the quality of research, I need to know that the authenticity of the study, the goal of the study and the objectives. Quality research contains such elements as variables, associations, sampling, random selection, random assignment, and blinding (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). Additionally, quality research serves to answer a specific question with regard to therapy, etiology, diagnosis, prevention, prognosis, meaning, quality improvement, or cost. There are seven levels of evidence based on the methodological quality of each studies design, validity, and applicability to patient care. These are:

“ Level I: Evidence from a systematic review or meta-analysis of all relevant RCTs (randomized controlled trial) .

Level II: Evidence obtained from at least one well-designed RCT.

Level III: Evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials without randomization

Level IV: Evidence from well-designed case-control or cohort studies.

Level V: Evidence from systematic reviews of descriptive and qualitative studies.

Level VI: Evidence from a single descriptive or qualitative study.

Level VII: Evidence from the opinion of authorities and/or reports of expert committees.” (Winona State University, n.d.)

The purpose of the study, the elements, and the levels of evidence provide the information pertinent to evaluatiing and ultimately resolving issues within health care.

Kendra

References

The Office of Research Integrity. (2014). Module 3: Elements of Research. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Office of Research Integrity. Retrieved from https://ori.hhs.gov/module-3-elements-research

Winona State University. (n.d.) Levels of Evidence. Retrieved from https://libguides.winona.edu/ebptoolkit/Levels-Evi…