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Chapter 5 - Randomization

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2023

S. Nassir Ghaemi
S. Nassir Ghaemi
Affiliation:
Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston
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Summary

Randomization solves the problem of confounding bias; it addresses systematic error, which is the most important source of error, not chance. It equalizes all potential confounding factors, known and unknown, in all groups so that they equally influence the results, and thus can be ignored. Only then can the results of randomized treatment be interpreted at face value and causal inferences made. Sample size and other factors are relevant, though, and small randomized clinical trials (RCTs) can be misleading. Examples are given.

Keywords

randomizationsystematic errorbiaschancerandomized clinical trialssample sizepower
Type
Chapter
Information
A Clinician's Guide to Statistics in Mental Health , pp. 21 - 26
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • Randomization
  • S. Nassir Ghaemi, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston
  • Book: A Clinician's Guide to Statistics in Mental Health
  • Online publication: 20 January 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108887526.006
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  • Randomization
  • S. Nassir Ghaemi, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston
  • Book: A Clinician's Guide to Statistics in Mental Health
  • Online publication: 20 January 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108887526.006
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Randomization
  • S. Nassir Ghaemi, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston
  • Book: A Clinician's Guide to Statistics in Mental Health
  • Online publication: 20 January 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108887526.006
Available formats
×