Findings from syntheses of qualitative research can help provide evidence on people’s views of health and social care issues, about whether interventions are acceptable to the people affected by them, and about factors that are likely to influence implementation. Such syntheses are being used increasingly to inform decisions about health and social policies. The GRADE-CERQual (Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research) approach helps decision makers use these syntheses by indicating how much confidence they should place in each finding. CERQual has been developed by an international team of qualitative researchers, as a subgroup of the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) Working Group (www.gradeworkinggroup.org). This series of papers provides detailed guidance on how to apply the GRADE-CERQual approach. The series is intended primarily for those undertaking qualitative evidence syntheses or using their findings in decision-making processes, but is also relevant to guideline development agencies, primary qualitative researchers and implementation scientists and practitioners.

This work received support from Cochrane to ensure greater rigour in qualitative evidence syntheses published in the Cochrane Library, and to facilitate the use of findings from these syntheses in decision making processes. Members of GRADE-CERQual and Cochrane will support training events to actively disseminate this new guidance on the CERQual approach, and Cochrane members should look out for future training opportunities. Jackie Chandler, Cochrane Methods Co-ordinator, adds “This welcome development ensures greater integrity of qualitative research findings and their interpretation for stakeholders of Cochrane Reviews”.

• Find out more about GRADE-CERQual
• Read the open access the articles