Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) imply both a compound-complex system to conduct experiments under controlled conditions with compared groups of participants and a set of trials results measurements (1). RCTs’ main purposes are randomizing, provision for test outcomes integrity, and controlling, which are by comparing information obtained from participants to a reference group.
The implementation of RCTs has a set of significant strengths. The participating individuals are initially defined, while the appropriate randomization eliminates any population bias (2). Results are easier to obtain than in observational studies and can be analyzed with standard statistical tools (2). In addition, the unmeasured factors influences are minimized due to controllable experimentation environment conditions.
Randomized controlled trials have some weaknesses that complicate their utilization. RCTs are expensive in resources, as participants are usually paid and provided with particular treatment (2). Such measurements require time, and their outcomes may be partially damaged because of follow-up losses, as some patients do not return for continued care.
RCTs are valued for a higher level of evidence than non-experimental studies. This system enables researchers to avoid bias from factors such as gender, ethnicity, and age (3). RCTs remove the element of choice to eliminate selection subjectivity.
Although I agree with the posts provisions, it lacks information that RCTs may not be objective because of inappropriate choice of representatives (4). Thus, the choice element cannot be eliminated, and the small potential variety of representatives complicates it. Moreover, not many people have a particular disease and agree to participate in trials (4). In addition, a clinical trial cannot be conducted without ethical approval, which makes it impossible to use RCTs in some studies.
References
- Hariton E, Locascio JJ. Randomised controlled trials – the gold standard for effectiveness research: study design: randomised controlled trials. BJOG, 2018;125(13): 1716.
- Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library (US). Randomized controlled trial [Internet]. Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library (US). Web.
- Bhide A, Shah PS, Acharya G. A simplified guide to randomized controlled trials. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2018;97(4): 380-387.
- Daniel M. What is a randomized controlled trial? [Internet]. MedicalNewsToday; 2018. Web.