We briefly introduced the concept，methods and key methodological considerations of comparative effectiveness research(CER)，and provided a profile for important international acupuncture CERs and their contributions.Based on three world recognized evaluation scales and tools(the PRECIS，IOM 6 items，and the Efficacy-Effectiveness Continuum)for CERs，we developed a checklist for the design and appraisal of acupuncture CERs to illustrate the two types of acupuncture CERs to evaluate either a specific acupuncture intervention pack or a general concept of acupuncture practice in population base.