DNP 820 Topic 3 DQ 1: methods for levels of evidence
Two advantages and one disadvantage is a count, not a suggestion — and the fourth requirement ties the whole thing to which articles are allowed into your review of literature.
Editorial process
Last reviewed · August 15, 2026
Four requirements, and the last one is about your ROL
Name a specific method rather than referring to the levels of evidence in general, because there are several and they differ in what they rank. The classical pyramid ranks by design, putting systematic reviews and randomised trials above cohort and case-control studies and expert opinion at the bottom. GRADE ranks bodies of evidence rather than individual studies and, crucially, allows a rating to be downgraded for risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness or imprecision and upgraded for a large effect — so a randomised trial can end up rated low. The Johns Hopkins and Melnyk hierarchies are widely used in nursing and both accommodate qualitative evidence, which the classical pyramid handles badly. Say which you prefer and why before listing anything. Name the system you mean before listing anything, because the advantages and the disadvantage are properties of a particular hierarchy rather than of the idea of ranking evidence.
Then respect the counts, because the prompt gives numbers. Two advantages and one disadvantage: if you choose GRADE, the advantages are that it assesses quality rather than design alone and that it produces a transparent, reproducible judgement, and the disadvantage is that it takes training and time that a single learner appraising twenty articles may not have. If you choose the pyramid, the advantages are speed and universal recognition, and the disadvantage is that design is a poor proxy for quality. The usage question wants a real instance, so name an assignment or a practice decision where you actually applied it. And the final question about your review of literature has a specific answer: levels determine what may be claimed from what, so a Chapter 2 built on low-level evidence cannot support a strong recommendation — and knowing the level before you read protects you from building an argument on studies that will not carry it.
Likely learning objectives
Inferred from the brief — check these against your own rubric.
- 01Distinguish the available systems for rating levels of evidence.
- 02Evaluate a rating system by what it can and cannot capture.
- 03Report an actual use rather than a hypothetical one.
- 04Connect evidence level to what a literature review can claim.
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Course-wide instructions that accompany this question
Important information for writing discussion questions and participation Hi Class, Please read through the following information on writing a Discussion question response and participation posts. Contact me if you have any questions. Important information on Writing a Discussion Question Your response needs to be a minimum of 150 words (not including your list of references) There needs to be at least TWO references with ONE being a peer reviewed professional journal article. Include in-text citations in your response Do not include quotes—instead summarize and paraphrase the information Follow APA-7th edition Points will be deducted if the above is not followed Participation –replies to your classmates or instructor A minimum of 6 responses per week, on at least 3 days of the week. 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There is a 5%-point deduction for every day your assignment is late. This only applies to approved extensions. Late assignments will not be accepted. If you think you would be needing accommodations due to any reasons, please contact the appropriate department to request accommodations. DNP 820 Topic 3 DQ 1 Which method do you prefer in determining levels of evidence Plagiarism is highly prohibited. Please ensure you are citing your sources correctly using APA 7th edition. All assignments including discussion posts should be formatted in APA with the appropriate spacing, font, margin, and indents. Any papers not well formatted would be returned back to you, hence, I advise you review APA formatting style. I have attached a sample paper in APA format and will also post sample discussion responses in subsequent announcements. Your initial discussion post should be a minimum of 200 words and response posts should be a minimum of 150 words. Be advised that I grade based on quality and not necessarily the number of words you post. A minimum of TWO references should be used for your initial post. For your response post, you do not need references as personal experiences would count as response posts. If you however cite anything from the literature for your response post, it is required that you cite your reference. You should include a minimum of THREE references for papers in this course. Please note that references should be no more than 5 years old except recommended as a resource for the class. Furthermore, for each discussion board question, you need ONE initial substantive response and TWO substantive responses to either your classmates or your instructor for a total of THREE responses. There are TWO discussion questions each week, hence, you need a total minimum of SIX discussion posts for each week. I usually post a discussion question each week. You could also respond to these as it would count towards your required SIX discussion posts for the week. I understand this is a lot of information to cover in 5 weeks, however, the Bible says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Even in times like this, we are encouraged by God’s word that we have that ability in us to succeed with His strength. I pray that each and every one of you receives strength for this course and life generally as we navigate through this pandemic that is shaking our world today. Relax and enjoy the course! Name: Discussion Rubric Grid View List View Excellent 90–100 Good 80–89 Fair 70–79 Poor 0–69 Main Posting: Response to the Discussion question is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources. 40 (40%) – 44 (44%) Thoroughly responds to the Discussion question(s). Is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources. No less than 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth. Supported by at least three current credible sources. 35 (35%) – 39 (39%) Responds to most of the Discussion question(s). Is somewhat reflective with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. 50% of the post has exceptional depth and breadth. Supported by at least three credible references. 31 (31%) – 34 (34%) Responds to some of the Discussion question(s). One to two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed. Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Cited with fewer than two credible references. 0 (0%) – 30 (30%) Does not respond to the Discussion question(s). Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria. Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Contains only one or no credible references. Main Posting: Writing 6 (6%) – 6 (6%) Written clearly and concisely. Contains no grammatical or spelling errors. Adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Written concisely. May contain one to two grammatical or spelling errors. Adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Written somewhat concisely. May contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Contains some APA formatting errors. 0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Not written clearly or concisely. Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style. Main Posting: Timely and full participation 9 (9%) – 10 (10%) Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation. Posts main Discussion by due date. 8 (8%) – 8 (8%) Meets requirements for full participation. Posts main Discussion by due date. 7 (7%) – 7 (7%) Posts main Discussion by due date. 0 (0%) – 6 (6%) Does not meet requirements for full participation. Does not post main Discussion by due date. First Response: Post to colleague’s main post that is reflective and justified with credible sources. 9 (9%) – 9 (9%) Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Responds to questions posed by faculty. The use of scholarly sources to support ideas demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. 8 (8%) – 8 (8%) Response has some depth and may exhibit critical thinking or application to practice setting. 7 (7%) – 7 (7%) Response is on topic and may have some depth. 0 (0%) – 6 (6%) Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. First Response: Writing 6 (6%) – 6 (6%) Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Response to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Communication is mostly professional and respectful to colleagues. Response to faculty questions are mostly answered, if posed. Provides opinions and ideas that are supported by few credible sources. Response is written in standard, edited English. 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Response posed in the Discussion may lack effective professional communication. Response to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Few or no credible sources are cited. 0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Responses posted in the Discussion lack effective communication. Response to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited. First Response: Timely and full participation 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation. Posts by due date. 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Meets requirements for full participation. Posts by due date. 3 (3%) – 3 (3%) Posts by due date. 0 (0%) – 2 (2%) Does not meet requirements for full participation. Does not post by due date. Second Response: Post to colleague’s main post that is reflective and justified with credible sources. 9 (9%) – 9 (9%) Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Responds to questions posed by faculty. The use of scholarly sources to support ideas demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. 8 (8%) – 8 (8%) Response has some depth and may exhibit critical thinking or application to practice setting. 7 (7%) – 7 (7%) Response is on topic and may have some depth. 0 (0%) – 6 (6%) Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. Second Response: Writing 6 (6%) – 6 (6%) Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Response to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Communication is mostly professional and respectful to colleagues. Response to faculty questions are mostly answered, if posed. Provides opinions and ideas that are supported by few credible sources. Response is written in standard, edited English. 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Response posed in the Discussion may lack effective professional communication. Response to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Few or no credible sources are cited. 0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Responses posted in the Discussion lack effective communication. Response to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited. Second Response: Timely and full participation 5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Meets requirements for timely, full, and active participation. Posts by due date. 4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Meets requirements for full participation. Posts by due date. 3 (3%) – 3 (3%) Posts by due date. 0 (0%) – 2 (2%) Does not meet requirements for full participation. Does not post by due date. Total Points: 100 Name: Discussion Rubric
Turn the brief into deliverables
- 01One named method for determining levels of evidence.
- 02Exactly two advantages and one disadvantage.
- 03A real instance of using it.
- 04An explanation of why levels matter for the review of literature.
The method, its trade-offs, your use, then the ROL
The method
Name a specific system and say what it ranks.
Two advantages
Give exactly two, tied to what the system captures.
One disadvantage
Name a genuine cost of using it.
Use, and the review of literature
Describe an actual application and explain what levels permit you to claim in Chapter 2.
The hierarchies themselves, not summaries of them
Recommended databases
- GRADE working group resources
- PubMed Central
- CINAHL
- Your programme's DPI handbook
Search sequence
- 1.Read the rating system itself rather than a table summarising it.
- 2.Check whether your programme prescribes a particular hierarchy for Chapter 2.
- 3.Find one review that downgraded a randomised trial and read why.
- 4.Look at how your chosen system handles qualitative evidence.
Reference shortlist
These are authoritative starting points, not a ready-made bibliography. A qualified reviewer must confirm that each source fits the assignment and supports the claim beside which it is cited.
Nothing here is cleared for citation until you have read it.
- 01
The hierarchy of evidence: levels and grades of recommendation
Indian Journal of Orthopaedics, via PubMed Central · 2010
The hierarchy of evidence set out with its levels and grades, which is the classical system stated properly.
- 02
Critical Appraisal Toolkit (CAT) for assessing multiple types of evidence
Canada Communicable Disease Report · 2017
A toolkit for appraising several evidence types, which is the answer to the pyramid's difficulty with qualitative work.
- 03
JBI Critical Appraisal Tools
JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute), University of Adelaide · 2024
Design-specific instruments, which is how a nursing hierarchy accommodates evidence the pyramid ranks poorly.
- 04
CASP Checklists
Critical Appraisal Skills Programme · 2024
The appraisal step that sits underneath any level assignment, and the practical form of the time cost.
Review before submission
Common mistakes
- Referring to the levels of evidence as though there were only one system.
- Giving three advantages and no disadvantage.
- Describing how the method works instead of when you used it.
- Treating design as identical to quality.
- Skipping the review of literature question, which is a quarter of the prompt.
Submission checklist
- Is a specific system named?
- Are there exactly two advantages and one disadvantage?
- Is the usage example real and identifiable?
- Does the review of literature answer explain what levels permit you to claim?
- Would your disadvantage be recognised by someone who uses the system?
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