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The value of randomization and control in clinical trials
Author(s) -
Urbach Peter
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
statistics in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.996
H-Index - 183
eISSN - 1097-0258
pISSN - 0277-6715
DOI - 10.1002/sim.4780121508
Subject(s) - randomization , clinical trial , bayesian probability , principal (computer security) , randomized controlled trial , control (management) , value (mathematics) , restricted randomization , medicine , computer science , econometrics , statistics , mathematics , artificial intelligence , surgery , operating system
This paper examines the two principal justifications that have been offered for the standard conditions that clinical trials be randomized and controlled, with the conclusion that, strictly speaking, neither justification is valid. It is argued, on the other hand, that a Bayesian analysis of clinical trials affords a valid, intuitively plausible rationale for selective controls, and marks out a more limited role for randomization than it is generally accorded. The feasibility of retrospective trials is then considered in the light of these conclusions.