Article type
Abstract
"Background:
The GRADE methodology (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) is widely known and recognized by the scientific community and has been adopted by multiple organizations to evaluate and classify the certainty of scientific evidence. Numerous projects and activities undertaken at the Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre (CCIb) rely on the implementation of the GRADE methodology. However, explaining the intricacies of evaluating the certainty of evidence, especially to a broader audience, presents a significant challenge. Hence, the CCIb, in partnership with the Barcelona GRADE Center, is working on InfoGRADE, a resource intended to enhance the comprehensiveness and accessibility of the GRADE approach for a wider audience.
Methods:
We reviewed the principles of the GRADE approach for evaluating the certainty of the evidence. We identified the key concepts for understanding the process of assessing certainty of the evidence. We summarized and translated the information into plain language and evaluated its readability using the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) index. Furthermore, we are developing multimedia resources (“information pills”), comprising videos and infographics, to illustrate the most important concepts. The content will undergo validation through iterative user testing involving researchers and the public. Finally, these resources will be publicly available on the Barcelona GRADE Center and the CCIb websites and will be disseminated through CCIb social media.
Results:
We developed 10 information pills covering topics such as an introduction to GRADE, the concept of certainty of the evidence, levels and symbols, and factors influencing certainty. We will create 6 videos and 10 text graphics, in both Spanish and English. We aim to achieve a readability score of 16 to 17 years old for videos and 18 years old for written information (SMOG index).
Discussion:
Our goal for our target audience is to enhance their understanding of the concept of "certainty of evidence" while acknowledging the inherent uncertainties within the realm of science. We aim to illustrate how the assessment of evidence certainty can be categorized into varying levels using the GRADE approach. Furthermore, to enhance critical thinking, we underscore that scientific advancement entails acquiring knowledge with the aim of reducing uncertainty.
The GRADE methodology (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) is widely known and recognized by the scientific community and has been adopted by multiple organizations to evaluate and classify the certainty of scientific evidence. Numerous projects and activities undertaken at the Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre (CCIb) rely on the implementation of the GRADE methodology. However, explaining the intricacies of evaluating the certainty of evidence, especially to a broader audience, presents a significant challenge. Hence, the CCIb, in partnership with the Barcelona GRADE Center, is working on InfoGRADE, a resource intended to enhance the comprehensiveness and accessibility of the GRADE approach for a wider audience.
Methods:
We reviewed the principles of the GRADE approach for evaluating the certainty of the evidence. We identified the key concepts for understanding the process of assessing certainty of the evidence. We summarized and translated the information into plain language and evaluated its readability using the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) index. Furthermore, we are developing multimedia resources (“information pills”), comprising videos and infographics, to illustrate the most important concepts. The content will undergo validation through iterative user testing involving researchers and the public. Finally, these resources will be publicly available on the Barcelona GRADE Center and the CCIb websites and will be disseminated through CCIb social media.
Results:
We developed 10 information pills covering topics such as an introduction to GRADE, the concept of certainty of the evidence, levels and symbols, and factors influencing certainty. We will create 6 videos and 10 text graphics, in both Spanish and English. We aim to achieve a readability score of 16 to 17 years old for videos and 18 years old for written information (SMOG index).
Discussion:
Our goal for our target audience is to enhance their understanding of the concept of "certainty of evidence" while acknowledging the inherent uncertainties within the realm of science. We aim to illustrate how the assessment of evidence certainty can be categorized into varying levels using the GRADE approach. Furthermore, to enhance critical thinking, we underscore that scientific advancement entails acquiring knowledge with the aim of reducing uncertainty.