Hierarchies of evidence in education

The trend toward providing evidence-based education has emerged in part from the precedent set by the evidence-based practice movement in medicine. Historically, the medical model specified that evidence should be informed by experimental research. However, more contemporary models draw on a variety of evidence to determine best practices. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods designs, as well as the incorporation of professional expertise, are recognized as acceptable approaches to interpreting evidence in the educational arena. This article describes an integrated level of evidence model to assist educators in identifying the best evidence to inform teaching and learning practices.