1.4 Key principles for developing guidelines
NICE develops guidelines according to the same core principles we use for all our guidance:
- Guidance is based on the best available evidence of what works, and what it costs.
- Guidance is developed by independent and unbiased Committees of experts.
- All our Committees include at least 2 lay members (people with personal experience of using health or care services, or from a community affected by the guideline).
- Regular consultation allows organisations and individuals to comment on our recommendations.
- Once published, all NICE guidance is regularly checked, and updated in light of new evidence if necessary.
- We are committed to advancing equality of opportunity and ensuring that the social value judgements we make reflect the values of society.
- We ensure that our processes, methods and policies remain up‑to‑date.
NICE also considers dissemination and implementation when developing guidelines.
Review questions guide the search for evidence, and the type of evidence that gives the best 'fit' depends on the type of question (see
chapter 4). For example, a randomised controlled trial is often the most appropriate type of study to assess the efficacy or
effectiveness (including cost effectiveness) of an intervention. However,
other study designs (including observational, experimental or qualitative) may also be used to assess effectiveness, or aspects of effectiveness. These may include ways of delivering services, or the experience of people using services and how this contributes to outcomes. For some topics, there is little evidence from scientific studies, or the evidence is weak or contradictory. In these cases, we look for evidence from other sources to see if it concurs or differs ('triangulation').
Whatever evidence is used, it is selected and quality assessed using clear and appropriate methods (see chapters
5,
6 and
7).
