Randomized Controlled Trials
What are randomized controlled trials?
Key Points
- Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) are a type of study design commonly used in health research to explore the efficacy of interventions.
- The goal of an RCT is to increase the validity of experimental results and strengthen the evidence for causal relationships.
- RCTs use randomization, control groups, and blinding to control for variables and limit biases.
Helpful Links, Videos and Online Courses
Overview
- Randomized Controlled Trial
- An introduction to RCTs, including a step-by-step outline for how to design an RCT. Includes examples and tips in practice.
Videos
- Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
- A video from UNICEF that highlights the importance of control groups in Randomized Controlled Trials, different RCT designs (including factorial, cluster, and multifactorial designs), and pitfalls to avoid in sampling procedures.
- How do we know if an intervention works?
- A 5-minute video describing how RCTs can be used to minimize bias and increase the validity of experimental findings, in terms of control groups and blinding.
Online Courses
- Randomized Controlled Trials
- A 30-minute video lecture on statistical interventions and methods commonly used in RCTs.
- Note: the video refers to a textbook, but the video is helpful even without the textbook.
Relevant Publications
- Stanley, K. (2007). Design of Randomized Controlled Trials. Circulation, 115(9), 1164–1169.
- A comprehensive article from 2007 describing elements of RCT design, especially for clinical trials and health research