randomised controlled trial (RCT)

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is a scientific study used to test the effectiveness of a treatment or intervention. Participants are randomly assigned to either the treatment group, which receives the intervention, or the control group, which does not. This random assignment helps eliminate bias and ensures that the groups are comparable. Researchers then compare outcomes between the two groups to determine if the treatment had a significant effect. RCTs are considered the gold standard in research because they provide strong evidence for cause-and-effect relationships.