ADVANCED CONCEPTS OF CLIENT* CARE – II & III NURSING RESEARCH ARTICLE ANALYSIS HIERARCHY OF EVIDENCE Level I – Highest Level of Significance Systematic review of randomized clinical trials or non-randomized clinical trials Looking at several research studies on the same topic and comparing results. Also called meta-analysis Level II A single randomized or non-randomized clinical trial Level III A systematic review of correlational or observational studies Looking at several research studies on the same topic and comparing results Level IV A single correlational or observational study Level V Systematic review of descriptive, qualitative, or physiologic study Looking at several research studies on the same topic and comparing results Level VI A single descriptive, qualitative, or physiologic study Level VII – Lowest Level of Significance Opinions of authorities, expert committees ADVANCED CONCEPTS OF CLIENT* CARE – II & III NURSING REASEARCH ARTICLE ANALYSIS – GUIDELINES GLOSSARY OF RESEARCH TERMS Adapted from: Polit, D. & Hungler, B. (1999). Nursing Research. Philadelphia: Lippincott. Quotes are taken from the Glossary on pages 695 – 718