What is Evidence Quality?

Understanding how to evaluate the quality of evidence is essential when choosing the most appropriate and up-to-date approach to clinical care.

Evaluating evidence means understanding where to find relevant information and deciding whether the research is sufficiently robust, reliable and accurate.

Careful evaluation helps you decide whether research findings and recommendations can be applied safely within your area of practice.

What You Will Learn

By watching the videos and working through this section, you will develop the knowledge and skills needed to find, understand and critically appraise research evidence.

Types of Evidence

Understand the different forms of evidence used in healthcare and research.

Hierarchy of Evidence

Learn how different study designs provide different levels and strengths of evidence.

Finding Evidence

Understand where to look for relevant evidence and how literature searching can support your work.

Sources of Bias

Recognise common sources of bias and understand how they can affect research findings.

Quality Appraisal

Learn how to choose and use an appropriate quality appraisal tool to assess the strength and reliability of evidence.

Understanding Evidence Quality

Not all evidence has the same level of reliability. The quality of evidence can be affected by the study design, the methods used, the number and characteristics of participants, and how the findings were analysed.

Before applying research findings to clinical practice, consider whether the methods were appropriate, whether potential sources of bias were addressed and whether the conclusions are supported by the results.

You should also consider whether the evidence is relevant to your service, patient population and clinical setting.

Questions to Consider

When reviewing research evidence, ask:

  • Is the research question clearly defined?
  • Was the study design appropriate for the research question?
  • Were the participants and setting relevant?
  • Was the sample size appropriate?
  • Were potential sources of bias identified and addressed?
  • Are the findings clearly reported?
  • Are the conclusions supported by the results?
  • Can the findings be applied safely within your clinical context?

How to Complete this Stage at BCHC

To learn about the existing knowledge relating to a particular intervention or topic:

  1. Contact Smallwood Library to check whether an evidence search has already been completed on the topic.
  2. Check whether related research, service evaluations or audits have already been undertaken.
  3. Identify relevant evidence using an appropriate literature search.
  4. Consider the hierarchy and strength of the evidence identified.
  5. Review potential sources of bias.
  6. Select an appropriate critical appraisal tool.
  7. Assess whether the evidence is relevant and applicable to your clinical setting.
  8. Contact the Research & Innovation Team if further research support is required.

Research Support Resources

Use the resources below to access further support with literature searching, evidence identification and critical appraisal.

BCHC research and evidence support resources
Resource Purpose Access
Smallwood Library Check whether evidence searches, research, service evaluations or audits have already been completed on your topic. Smallwood Library
Research & Innovation Team Access further support with research methods, evidence quality and critical appraisal. Contact R&I

Recommended Next Steps

  1. Identify the evidence relevant to your topic.
  2. Consider where the evidence sits within the hierarchy of evidence.
  3. Review the research methods and potential sources of bias.
  4. Select an appropriate critical appraisal tool.
  5. Assess whether the findings can be applied within your area of practice.
  6. Seek additional support if the evidence or methods are unclear.

Top tip: A published study is not automatically high-quality evidence. Always review the study design, methods, potential bias and relevance before applying the findings.

Download the Evaluating Evidence Quality Crib Sheet

Use the crib sheet as a quick reference guide when reviewing and critically appraising evidence.

Click Here to Download 

Our Partners

We are always keen to hear from industrial or academic organisations that would like to partner with us on research and innovation projects.

If your institution is interested in partnering with us, please contact the Research & Innovation Team or learn more about our partners.