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Table 2 Categories of conclusion type

From: Risk of bias judgements and strength of conclusions in meta-evidence from the Cochrane Colorectal Cancer Group

Conclusion type

Criteria

Informs clinical practicefirm

A conclusion that makes a recommendation for practice (positive or negative), with minimal or no caveats.

Informs clinical practicetempered

A conclusion that makes a recommendation for practice, but places significant caveats on that recommendation.

Does not inform clinical practicetempered

A conclusion that is unable to make a recommendation but suggests that a recommendation might be possible soon based on an emerging trend or underlying theory.

Does not inform clinical practicefirm

A conclusion that is unable to make a recommendation and is completely uncertain. There may be no evidence at all, or of too poor a quality, or the evidence may be contradictory.