Evidence Hierarchy — NDEB AFK MCQ
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Correct answer: B — Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
The evidence hierarchy places systematic reviews and meta-analyses of well-designed RCTs at the highest level of evidence for evaluating the effectiveness of healthcare interventions. A systematic review uses a rigorous, reproducible methodology to identify, appraise, and synthesise all relevant studies on a specific question. A meta-analysis statistically combines results from multiple studies to produce a pooled estimate of effect size. Below this are individual RCTs, cohort studies, case-control studies, case series, and expert opinion (lowest level).
Reference: Sackett DL – Evidence-Based Medicine, 1996