GRADE Evidence Framework
Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. A systematic approach to rating the certainty of evidence and strength of recommendations in clinical guidelines.
In Depth
GRADE classifies evidence quality as high, moderate, low, or very low based on study design, risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision, and publication bias. Most cannabinoid evidence is rated as low to moderate quality due to small sample sizes, short follow-up, and methodological limitations. GRADE is used by WHO, Cochrane, and most major clinical guideline bodies. Understanding GRADE ratings is essential for interpreting cannabis research claims.
Related Terms
Further Reading
More in Research Methods
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
The gold standard study design in clinical research. Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups to minimize bias and establish causation.
Systematic Review
A structured synthesis of all available evidence on a specific research question, using predefined criteria to identify, evaluate, and summarize studies.
Meta-Analysis
A statistical technique that combines quantitative data from multiple studies to produce a pooled estimate of effect size with greater statistical power than any individual study.
Placebo-Controlled
A study design in which the control group receives an inert substance (placebo) identical in appearance to the active treatment, to account for the placebo effect.
Observational Study
A study in which researchers observe participants without intervening. Includes cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional surveys.