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A simplified guide to randomized controlled trials.

Bhide, A; Shah, PS; Acharya, G (2018) A simplified guide to randomized controlled trials. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 97 (4). pp. 380-387. ISSN 1600-0412 https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.13309
SGUL Authors: Bhide, Amarnath

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Abstract

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is a prospective, comparative, quantitative study/experiment performed under controlled conditions with random allocation of interventions to comparison groups. The RCT is the most rigorous and robust research method of determining whether a cause-effect relationship exists between an intervention and an outcome. High quality evidence can be generated by performing an RCT when evaluating the effectiveness and safety of an intervention. Furthermore, RCTs yield themselves well to systematic review and meta-analysis providing a solid base for synthesizing evidence generated by such studies. Evidence-based clinical practice improves patient outcomes, safety, and is generally cost-effective. Therefore, RCTs are becoming increasingly popular in all areas of clinical medicine including perinatology. However, designing and conducting an RCT, analyzing data, interpreting findings and disseminating results can be challenging as there are several practicalities to be considered. In this review, we provide a simple descriptive guidance on planning, conducting, analyzing and reporting RCTs.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Bhide A, Shah PS, Acharya G. A simplified guide to randomized controlled trials. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2018;97:380–387, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.13309. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
Keywords: clinical trial, good clinical practice, random allocation, randomized controlled trial, research methods, study design, Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine, 1114 Paediatrics And Reproductive Medicine, 1117 Public Health And Health Services
SGUL Research Institute / Research Centre: Academic Structure > Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute (MCS)
Academic Structure > Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute (MCS) > Vascular (INCCVA)
Journal or Publication Title: Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand
ISSN: 1600-0412
Language: eng
Dates:
DateEvent
15 March 2018Published
27 January 2018Published Online
22 January 2018Accepted
Publisher License: Publisher's own licence
PubMed ID: 29377058
Go to PubMed abstract
URI: https://openaccess.sgul.ac.uk/id/eprint/109614
Publisher's version: https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.13309

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