GRADE-CERQual
GRADE-CERQual is a method that helps assess how confident we can be in findings from reviews of qualitative research, especially when using them to guide health and social care decisions.
At a glance
Use when
You are conducting or using a qualitative evidence synthesis to inform health or social care decisions and need to assess confidence in the synthesized findings
Avoid when
You are assessing individual qualitative studies rather than synthesized findings, or when only quantitative evidence is being considered
Inputs
Findings from a qualitative evidence synthesis, including study contexts, methods, and data
Outputs
An assessment of confidence (high, moderate, low, very low) in each review finding
How it works
GRADE-CERQual (Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research) is a systematic approach to evaluate the confidence in findings from qualitative evidence syntheses. It assesses four components: methodological limitations, coherence, adequacy of data, and relevance. Developed as an extension of the GRADE framework, it supports transparent and consistent use of qualitative evidence in decision-making contexts such as guideline development and health policy.
- HTA domains
- Clinical Effectiveness, Safety, Patient and Social Aspects
- Assumptions
- Qualitative evidence syntheses are used to inform decision-making; transparency in confidence assessment improves credibility and utility of findings
- Strengths
- Improves transparency and consistency in using qualitative evidence,Compatible with GRADE framework for quantitative evidence,Facilitates integration of qualitative findings into policy and practice guidelines
- Limitations
- Requires trained assessors to apply consistently,Subjective judgments may affect confidence ratings,Not designed for assessing individual qualitative studies, only synthesized findings
- Also known as
- CERQual, GRADE-CERQual approach
Questions this answers
- › How confident can we be in a finding from a qualitative evidence synthesis?
- › What are the methodological limitations of the included studies in a qualitative review?
- › How relevant is the finding to the context of interest?
- › Is the finding well-supported by the data (coherence)?
- › Is there enough data to support the finding (adequacy)?
- › How should qualitative evidence be used in informing health and social care decisions?
References & sources
Related methods
Similar by meaning
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