Randomised controlled trial
Randomised Controlled Trial
A Randomised Controlled Trial (pronounced: /ˈrændəmaɪzd kənˈtroʊld ˈtraɪəl/), often abbreviated as RCT, is a type of scientific experiment commonly used in medical research and social science to test the efficacy or effectiveness of various types of interventions. The term originates from the English language, with "randomised" referring to the process of random allocation, "controlled" indicating the presence of a control group, and "trial" denoting the experimental nature of the study.
Definition
A Randomised Controlled Trial is an experimental setup where individuals or groups are randomly allocated to receive or not receive an experimental therapeutic or preventive intervention. This random allocation is done to reduce bias and ensure that the groups are comparable, thereby allowing for a fair comparison of outcomes.
Process
The process of a Randomised Controlled Trial involves several steps:
- Identification of participants: Individuals who meet the inclusion criteria for the study are identified and recruited.
- Randomisation: The participants are randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group.
- Intervention: The intervention group receives the experimental treatment, while the control group receives a placebo or standard care.
- Follow-up: The participants are followed up over time to assess the outcomes of interest.
- Analysis: The results are analysed to determine whether the intervention had a significant effect.
Types of RCTs
There are several types of Randomised Controlled Trials, including:
- Parallel-group RCT: Each participant is randomly assigned to a treatment group and remains in that group for the duration of the trial.
- Crossover RCT: Each participant receives both the experimental treatment and the control treatment in a random order, with a washout period in between.
- Cluster RCT: Groups of participants, rather than individuals, are randomly assigned to the intervention or control group.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Randomised Controlled Trials are considered the gold standard in medical research due to their ability to minimise bias and provide robust evidence. However, they can be expensive and time-consuming to conduct, and ethical considerations may limit their use in certain situations.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Randomised controlled trial
- Wikipedia's article - Randomised controlled trial
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