Randomized controlled trial
What it is
A randomized controlled trial assigns participants to comparison groups by chance.
What it does
Random assignment helps make an intervention comparison less vulnerable to confounding.
Research context and ingredient forms
It does not guarantee perfect balance, blinding, complete follow-up, or a clinically important effect.
Using this information
Read the comparator, allocation method, sample size, outcomes, and losses to follow-up before treating the result as strong evidence.
Scientific Research & References
- NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: randomized clinical trial
National Cancer Institute
Limitations: Terminology support only; not evidence of benefit for a particular intervention.
Source assessment recorded.
- Study Quality Assessment Tools
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH
Limitations: Methods guidance, not an intervention effect estimate. NHLBI notes that the tools were developed for its reviews and are not independently standardized.
Source assessment recorded.
Related dictionary entries
Products containing it
No label-specific product relationship has been reviewed for this entry.