Hierarchy of research design used to categorize the "strength of evidence"in answering clinical dental questions

The purpose of this article is to highlight important features of research design that clinicians can use to determine which articles are useful when attempting to answer clinical questions and determine the best therapy for a particular patient. This article offers a systematic means of categorizin g the quality of research reports for clinicians and clinical investigators . A recurring clinical theme of hygiene education is used to exemplify how phrasing the clinical question determines the type of study design that cou ld be used. The article describes the continuum of research reports, and ca tegorizes them by their inherent strengths and weaknesses. The report descr ibes why the research designs in the supreme position of the research hiera rchy, are the most valuable to clinicians seeking evidence that defines the best therapy for their patients.