CEA Nursing Practice Exam

When reviewing a research article, which type of study represents the highest level of research quality?

1. Unblinded retrospective analysis.

2. Expert opinion statement.

3. Cohort study.

4. Systematic review.

The correct answer is: Systematic review.

A systematic review represents the highest level of research quality primarily because it synthesizes findings from multiple studies on a specific topic, utilizing rigorous methods to collect, evaluate, and analyze available evidence. This approach minimizes biases that can occur in individual studies and provides a comprehensive overview of the existing research. By collating data from various sources, systematic reviews present a more reliable conclusion based on a wider range of evidence, making them particularly valuable for evidence-based practice in nursing and other healthcare fields. In contrast, a cohort study, while useful, typically examines a smaller population and may be more susceptible to biases and confounding variables compared to a systematic review. Unblinded retrospective analyses and expert opinion statements are generally considered to provide lower levels of evidence. They can be influenced by subjective judgment and may not thoroughly account for all variables, thus providing a less reliable basis for clinical decisions. Therefore, the systematic review stands out in evidence hierarchy as it integrates findings in a way that enhances the overall understanding of the topic.