Based on trust alone

Expert opinion

Opinions of experts, authorities, celebrities, or other respected individuals do not alone provide a reliable basis for deciding on the benefits and harms of interventions.

Teachers, researchers, and parents – like anyone else – often disagree about the effects of interventions. This may be because their opinions are not always based on systematic reviews of fair comparisons of interventions.

BEWARE of expert opinions that are not based on reliable evidence.

REMEMBER: Do not rely on the opinions of experts or other authorities about the effects of interventions, unless they clearly base their opinions on the findings of systematic reviews of fair comparisons of interventions.