In evaluating preceptor impact on retention among new hires, what study level is represented?

The evaluation of preceptor impact on retention among new hires primarily involves assessing outcomes related to the effectiveness of mentoring or guidance provided by experienced personnel. This kind of assessment typically aligns with Level 4 of the research hierarchy, which focuses on measuring the results or outcomes of a particular process.

At Level 4, the study aims to understand how effective the preceptors are in influencing important outcomes such as employee retention. This level of evaluation seeks to quantify the impact of specific interventions (in this case, preceptorship) on measurable variables (such as retention rates).

In contrast, lower levels of the hierarchy, such as Level 1 or Level 2, emphasize basic reaction or learning assessments rather than outcomes. Therefore, the correct identification of the study level as Level 4 reflects a focus on outcome evaluation, which is crucial for determining the effectiveness of preceptor influence on retaining new hires.