In nursing research, the quality of the study must be evaluated. The quality and reliability of a study can be determined using the levels of evidence. With rapidly emerging technology in healthcare, nurses must take the time to compare the research against the levels of evidence.
Levels 1 and 2 of evidence are deemed the most reliable. Level one is considered the most trustworthy as it is a meta-analysis of randomized control studies. Level 2 is a close second as it contains at least one RCT. As the levels increase, the reliability of the studies decreases, and the evidence becomes less scientific and more opinionated. Level 7 consists of expert opinions and the opinions of expert committees (Bartzak, 2021).
As research is evaluated, a PICOT question can be developed using the levels of evidence to support evidence-based practice. One study by Coyne, et al. discussed developing chemotherapy infusion protocols by the nursing staff (Coyne, et al., 2019). Prior to this, the level of evidence in research was relatively low. Based on the observations of this study, a standardized protocol was developed for chemotherapy administration. The level of evidence in this study reached level 3 and lacked the support of a randomized control trial.
Bartzak, P. J. (2021). Creating a Nursing Procedure: When evidence-based practice doesn’t fill in all the blanks. MEDSURG Nursing, 30(1), 59–60.
Coyne, E., Northfield, S., Ash, K., & Brown-West, L. (2019). Current evidence of education and safety requirements for the nursing administration of chemotherapy: An integrative review. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 41, 24–32. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2019.05.001