Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC) Practice Exam

Which type of data is considered to provide the highest level of evidence?

1. Cohort study

2. Meta-analysis

3. Case study

4. Randomized controlled trial

The correct answer is: Meta-analysis

The highest level of evidence is represented by a meta-analysis, which synthesizes data from multiple studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of a specific research question. This type of data combines findings from various individual research studies, ideally including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), allowing for a more robust statistical analysis and greater generalizability of results. Meta-analyses utilize systematic reviews, which adhere to rigorous standards in collecting and analyzing data. By leveraging a larger sample size and diverse populations, they can increase the statistical power and validity of conclusions drawn from the studies included. This comprehensive approach helps to identify trends or disparities that individual studies may not fully capture, making it a valuable tool in the field of evidence-based practice. Other types of evidence, such as cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, and case studies, provide important insights but do not reach the same level of strength and reliability as a meta-analysis. Cohort studies may show associations over time but can be subject to various biases. Randomized controlled trials are significant as they minimize biases by randomly assigning participants, but they represent single studies rather than a collective synthesis. Case studies, while useful for in-depth exploration of cases, often lack generalizability due to their focus on limited populations or situations. Therefore,