Table 1

Summary of a simplified evidence hierarchy, A) Levels of evidence across clinical research studies, and B) Grading of recommendations based on levels of evidence (Adapted from [2,3])

A)


Levels of Evidence

Level I
Well conducted, suitably powered RCT
Level II
Well conducted, but small and under powered RCT
Level III
Non-randomized observational studies
Level IV
Non-randomized study with historical controls
Level V
Case series without controls

B)


Grades of Recommendations

Grade A
Level I
Grade B
Level II
Grade C
Level III or lower

Bagshaw and Bellomo Philosophy, Ethics, and Humanities in Medicine 2008 3:23   doi:10.1186/1747-5341-3-23