On hierarchies, malarkeys and anarchies of evidence

Abstract

The article discusses the term hierarchy of evidence which is found frequently in research that is concerned with evidence-based medicine and evidence-based research. In the article the author offers his opinions on the term and discusses alternatives for it which can be used to conduct more accurate and effective research, including signal-to noise ratios, evidence typologies and evidence networks. Research which has evaluated the effectiveness of different types of research methodologies is discussed.