Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The randomized controlled trial: gold standard, or merely standard?

Jason Grossman1, Fiona J Mackenzie

  • 1Unit for History and Philosophy of Science, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. Jason.Grossman@staff.usyd.edu.au

Perspectives in Biology and Medicine
|October 18, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are not always superior. This study critically examines RCT limitations, revealing other evidence types can be more valuable, impacting research and clinical practice.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Cardiovascular Drug Interactions With Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir in Patients With COVID-19: JACC Review Topic of the Week.

Journal of the American College of Cardiology·2022
Same author

In Honour of Professor Cristobal dos Remedios on behalf of the MAWA Trust.

Biophysical reviews·2020
Same author

A Preliminary Exploration of the Barriers to Delivering (and Receiving) Exposure-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders in Adult Community Mental Health Settings.

Community mental health journal·2018
Same author

Stakeholder Perceptions of the Barriers to Receiving and Delivering Exposure-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders in Adult Community Mental Health Settings.

Community mental health journal·2018
Same author

Effectiveness of Using Incentives to Improve Parolee Admission and Attendance in Community Addiction Treatment.

Criminal justice and behavior·2017
Same author

Tracking and Locating Itinerant Subjects With a Rechargeable Incentive Card: Results of a Randomized Trial.

Substance use & misuse·2016

Area of Science:

  • Medical research methodology
  • Clinical evidence evaluation
  • Evidence-based medicine principles

Background:

  • Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are widely regarded as the gold standard for clinical evidence.
  • However, potential limitations in RCT design and implementation are often overlooked.
  • This perspective challenges the universal superiority attributed to RCTs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically examine the limitations inherent in randomized controlled trials.
  • To compare the relative strengths of RCTs against other evidence types.
  • To discuss the implications for research methodology, clinical practice, and funding.

Main Methods:

  • Critical analysis of existing literature on study design.
  • Comparative evaluation of evidence hierarchies.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Discussion of the practical application of different study designs.

    • Main Results:

    • Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) possess significant limitations and are not universally superior.
    • Certain non-RCT evidence types can be more appropriate and robust in specific contexts.
    • Over-reliance on the RCT/non-RCT dichotomy can hinder accurate evidence appraisal.

    Conclusions:

    • Study designs should be evaluated based on specific criteria, not a simplistic hierarchy.
    • Re-evaluating the evidence hierarchy is crucial for advancing medical research and quality of care.
    • Funding policies should consider the nuanced value of diverse research methodologies.