Single Idea 22177

[catalogued under 14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 3. Experiment]

Full Idea

In the Randomised Controlled Trial for a new drug, patients are divided at random into a treatment group who receive the drug, and a control group who do not. Randomisation is important to eliminate confounding factors.

Gist of Idea

Randomised Control Trials have a treatment and a control group, chosen at random

Source

Samir Okasha (Philosophy of Science: Very Short Intro (2nd ed) [2016], 2)

Book Reference

Okasha,Samir: 'Philosophy of Science: very short intro (2nd ed)' [OUP 2016], p.29


A Reaction

[compressed] Devised in the 1930s, and a major breakthrough in methodology for that kind of trial. Psychologists use the method all the time. Some theorists say it is the only reliable method.