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 Concept Videos

Randomized Experiments01:13

Randomized Experiments

6.7K
The randomization process involves assigning study participants randomly to experimental or control groups based on their probability of being equally assigned. Randomization is meant to eliminate selection bias and balance known and unknown confounding factors so that the control group is similar to the treatment group as much as possible. A computer program and a random number generator can be used to assign participants to groups in a way that minimizes bias.
Simple randomization
Simple...
6.7K
Blinding01:11

Blinding

2.4K
Blinding is a commonly used method of not telling participants which treatment a subject is receiving. Blinding is a critical part of a randomized control trial or RCT. It reduces the bias that affects the results. In an RCT, blinding is used in the form of a placebo. A placebo effect occurs when untreated subjects falsely believe they have received the treatment and report improved symptoms. A placebo or a dummy treatment is administered to subjects to negate the bias caused by such an effect.
2.4K
Group Design02:01

Group Design

8.9K
The most basic experimental design involves two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The two groups are designed to be the same except for one difference— experimental manipulation. The experimental group gets the experimental manipulation—that is, the treatment or variable being tested—and the control group does not. Since experimental manipulation is the only difference between the experimental and control groups, we can be sure that any differences between...
8.9K
Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches01:23

Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches

120
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
120
Controls in Experiments01:13

Controls in Experiments

6.9K
When conducting an experiment, it is crucial to have control to reduce bias and accurately measure the dependent variables. It also marks the results more reliable. Controls are elements in an experiment that have the same characteristics as the treatment groups but are not affected by the independent variable. By sorting these data into control and experimental conditions, the relationship between the dependent and independent variables can be drawn. A randomized experiment always includes a...
6.9K
Hazard Ratio01:12

Hazard Ratio

87
The hazard ratio (HR) is a widely used measure in clinical trials to compare the risk of events, such as death or disease recurrence, between two groups over time. It reflects the ratio of hazard rates—the instantaneous risk of the event occurring—between a treatment group and a control group. This measure provides valuable insights into the relative effectiveness of a treatment by assessing how the risk of an event differs between the two groups.
For example, in a clinical trial...
87

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same authorSame journal

Journal of Pediatric Urology Editorial Board policy statement on appropriate endpoints when conducting research on hydronephrosis/urinary tract dilation (UTD)/ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO).

Journal of pediatric urology·2026
Same authorSame journal

Commentary to "Preoperative intramuscular testosterone and urethrocutaneous fistula formation after primary hypospadias repair".

Journal of pediatric urology·2026
Same author

Urinary antimicrobial peptides and cytokines as biomarkers for recurrent urinary tract infection in children and adolescents.

Frontiers in immunology·2026
Same author

Establishing a clinician-prioritized pediatric urology clinical research agenda in the United States.

Journal of pediatric urology·2026
Same author

What the editors are reading: innovation and technology.

Journal of pediatric urology·2026
Same author

Primary, Non-Refluxive Megaureters: Ureteral Peristalsis Detected on Initial Ultrasound Is Not a Valid Predictor for Spontaneous Resolution.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same journal

Vesicoureteral reflux and anorectal malformations.

Journal of pediatric urology·2026
Same journal

Trends in surgical management of hypospadias in Germany: A nationwide analysis on legislative and guideline changes.

Journal of pediatric urology·2026
Same journal

Clinical and endocrine correlates of genetic etiologies in severe hypospadias: Study from 34 patients.

Journal of pediatric urology·2026
Same journal

Letter to the Editor re: "ChatGPT-4o's performance on pediatric vesicoureteral reflux".

Journal of pediatric urology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2025

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
00:04

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition

Published on: September 20, 2019

10.6K

Randomized controlled trials - The what, when, how and why.

Luis H Braga1, Forough Farrokhyar2, M İrfan Dönmez3

  • 1Department of Surgery/Urology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Journal of Pediatric Urology
|December 19, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) provide strong evidence for treatment efficacy. However, small or underpowered RCTs may mislead, necessitating careful interpretation of all study designs.

Keywords:
PediatricRandomized controlled trialReviewUrology

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Impact of Reduced Resistance Exercise Volume on Metabolic Health
06:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Impact of Reduced Resistance Exercise Volume on Metabolic Health

Published on: December 1, 2023

1.0K
Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: An Update on Safety and Tolerability
08:22

Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: An Update on Safety and Tolerability

Published on: October 7, 2017

8.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 4, 2025

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
00:04

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition

Published on: September 20, 2019

10.6K
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Impact of Reduced Resistance Exercise Volume on Metabolic Health
06:13

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Impact of Reduced Resistance Exercise Volume on Metabolic Health

Published on: December 1, 2023

1.0K
Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: An Update on Safety and Tolerability
08:22

Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: An Update on Safety and Tolerability

Published on: October 7, 2017

8.0K

Area of Science:

  • Medical Research Methodology
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for evaluating treatment efficacy.
  • Methodological features like randomization, blinding, and allocation concealment minimize bias.
  • This review specifically examines parallel group RCTs, common in Pediatric Urology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the strengths and limitations of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  • To introduce the concept of the Fragility Index (FI) for assessing statistical significance in RCTs.
  • To highlight the applicability and limitations of RCTs in surgical research.

Main Methods:

  • Focus on parallel group randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  • Discussion of superiority, equivalency, and non-inferiority trial designs.
  • Consideration of pilot studies preceding definitive RCTs.

Main Results:

  • RCTs, while valuable, can be prone to misleading results if small or underpowered.
  • The Fragility Index (FI) quantifies the sensitivity of statistical significance to small changes in data.
  • Approximately 60% of surgical research questions are not addressable by RCTs due to feasibility, ethical, or cost constraints.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical decisions should rely on the best available evidence, irrespective of study design.
  • Conclusions from observational studies, often used when RCTs are not feasible, require cautious interpretation.
  • Understanding the limitations of RCTs, including the potential for misleading results and the utility of the Fragility Index, is crucial for evidence-based practice.