Open AccessGuidance on the use of the weight of evidence approach in scientific assessments
Author(s) -
Hardy Anthony,
Benford Diane,
Halldorsson Thorhallur,
Jeger Michael John,
Knutsen Helle Katrine,
More Simon,
Naegeli Hanspeter,
Noteborn Hubert,
Ockleford Colin,
Ricci Antonia,
Rychen Guido,
Schlatter Josef R,
Silano Vittorio,
Solecki Roland,
Turck Dominique,
Benfenati Emilio,
Chaudhry Qasim Mohammad,
Craig Peter,
Frampton Geoff,
Greiner Matthias,
Hart Andrew,
Hogstrand Christer,
Lambre Claude,
Luttik Robert,
Makowski David,
Siani Alfonso,
Wahlstroem Helene,
Aguilera Jaime,
Dorne JeanLou,
Fernandez Dumont Antonio,
Hempen Michaela,
Valtueña Martínez Silvia,
Martino Laura,
Smeraldi Camilla,
Terron Andrea,
Georgiadis Nikolaos,
Younes Maged
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
efsa journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.076
H-Index - 97
ISSN - 1831-4732
DOI - 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4971
Subject(s) - scientific evidence , consistency (knowledge bases) , relevance (law) , evidence based practice , reliability (semiconductor) , empirical evidence , computer science , risk analysis (engineering) , psychology , management science , medicine , engineering , statistics , mathematics , political science , alternative medicine , artificial intelligence , power (physics) , physics , philosophy , epistemology , pathology , quantum mechanics , law
EFSA requested the Scientific Committee to develop a guidance document on the use of the weight of evidence approach in scientific assessments for use in all areas under EFSA 's remit. The guidance document addresses the use of weight of evidence approaches in scientific assessments using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Several case studies covering the various areas under EFSA 's remit are annexed to the guidance document to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach. Weight of evidence assessment is defined in this guidance as a process in which evidence is integrated to determine the relative support for possible answers to a question. This document considers the weight of evidence assessment as comprising three basic steps: (1) assembling the evidence into lines of evidence of similar type, (2) weighing the evidence, (3) integrating the evidence. The present document identifies reliability, relevance and consistency as three basic considerations for weighing evidence.