| Level I | Good quality evidence |
Systematic review of RCTs with consistent findings High quality individual RCT |
| Level II |
Limited quality patient orientated evidence |
Systematic review of lower quality studies or studies with inconsistent findings Low quality clinical trial Cohort studies Case-control studies |
| Level III | Other |
Consensus guidelines, extrapolations from bench research, usual practice, opinion, disease-oriented evidence (intermediate or physiologic outcomes only), or case series |
[1] Lieberthal AS, et. al. Clinical Practice Guideline: The Diagnosis and Management of Acute Otitis Media. American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2013; 131:e964-e999.