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Open Access 01-01-2018 | Method

Applying GRADE-CERQual to qualitative evidence synthesis findings—paper 2: how to make an overall CERQual assessment of confidence and create a Summary of Qualitative Findings table

Authors: Simon Lewin, Meghan Bohren, Arash Rashidian, Heather Munthe-Kaas, Claire Glenton, Christopher J. Colvin, Ruth Garside, Jane Noyes, Andrew Booth, Özge Tunçalp, Megan Wainwright, Signe Flottorp, Joseph D. Tucker, Benedicte Carlsen

Published in: Implementation Science | Special Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

The GRADE-CERQual (Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research) approach has been developed by the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) Working Group. The approach has been developed to support the use of findings from qualitative evidence syntheses in decision making, including guideline development and policy formulation.

CERQual includes four components for assessing how much confidence to place in findings from reviews of qualitative research (also referred to as qualitative evidence syntheses): (1) methodological limitations, (2) coherence, (3) adequacy of data and (4) relevance. This paper is part of a series providing guidance on how to apply CERQual and focuses on making an overall assessment of confidence in a review finding and creating a CERQual Evidence Profile and a CERQual Summary of Qualitative Findings table.

Methods

We developed this guidance by examining the methods used by other GRADE approaches, gathering feedback from relevant research communities and developing consensus through project group meetings. We then piloted the guidance on several qualitative evidence syntheses before agreeing on the approach.

Results

Confidence in the evidence is an assessment of the extent to which a review finding is a reasonable representation of the phenomenon of interest. Creating a summary of each review finding and deciding whether or not CERQual should be used are important steps prior to assessing confidence. Confidence should be assessed for each review finding individually, based on the judgements made for each of the four CERQual components. Four levels are used to describe the overall assessment of confidence: high, moderate, low or very low. The overall CERQual assessment for each review finding should be explained in a CERQual Evidence Profile and Summary of Qualitative Findings table.

Conclusions

Structuring and summarising review findings, assessing confidence in those findings using CERQual and creating a CERQual Evidence Profile and Summary of Qualitative Findings table should be essential components of undertaking qualitative evidence syntheses. This paper describes the end point of a CERQual assessment and should be read in conjunction with the other papers in the series that provide information on assessing individual CERQual components.

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Title: Applying GRADE-CERQual to qualitative evidence synthesis findings—paper 2: how to make an overall CERQual assessment of confidence and create a Summary of Qualitative Findings table
Authors: Simon Lewin
Meghan Bohren
Arash Rashidian
Heather Munthe-Kaas
Claire Glenton
Christopher J. Colvin
Ruth Garside
Jane Noyes
Andrew Booth
Özge Tunçalp
Megan Wainwright
Signe Flottorp
Joseph D. Tucker
Benedicte Carlsen
Publication date: 01-01-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Implementation Science / Issue Special Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1748-5908
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-017-0689-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Applying GRADE-CERQual to qualitative evidence synthesis findings—paper 2: how to make an overall CERQual assessment of confidence and create a Summary of Qualitative Findings table

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Other articles of this Special Issue 1/2018

Applying GRADE-CERQual to qualitative evidence synthesis findings—paper 3: how to assess methodological limitations

Applying GRADE-CERQual to qualitative evidence synthesis findings—paper 4: how to assess coherence

Applying GRADE-CERQual to qualitative evidence synthesis findings–paper 6: how to assess relevance of the data

Applying GRADE-CERQual to qualitative evidence synthesis findings: introduction to the series

Applying GRADE-CERQual to qualitative evidence synthesis findings—paper 5: how to assess adequacy of data

Applying GRADE-CERQual to qualitative evidence synthesis findings–paper 7: understanding the potential impacts of dissemination bias