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.