Evidence – OMERACT

information or knowledge obtained through systematic investigation or scientific research. It is used to support or refute a claim, hypothesis, intervention, or decision. In health and social sciences, evidence underpins guidelines, policies, and clinical practice by showing what works, for whom, and under what conditions.

Synonyms: Data, Findings, Research Results

Example
A panel developing new arthritis treatment guidelines reviews randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews. The combined results provide evidence that one drug reduces pain and improves mobility more effectively than the alternatives.

Glossary: Literature Search
the process of systematically locating and identifying published research, scholarly articles, and other relevant sources on a specific topic or research question.
Glossary: Knowledge translation in research
the process of turning research findings, evidence-based knowledge, and expertise into clear, practical, and accessible information that can be used by decision-makers, practitioners, and the public.
Glossary: Literature Review
a structured, critical, and comprehensive analysis of the existing research and scholarly publications on a particular topic or research question.
Glossary: Instrument Selection
the systematic process of identifying, evaluating, and choosing the most appropriate tools or instruments to measure the agreed-upon core domains in a research study or clinical trial.
Glossary: Meta-Analyses
a statistical technique that combines and synthesizes data from multiple independent studies on the same topic to produce a single, more precise estimate of the effect or association.