Open AccessIn Defense of the Randomized Controlled Trial for Health Promotion Research
Author(s) -
Laura Rosen,
Orly Manor,
Dan Engelhard,
David M. Zucker
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2004.061713
Subject(s) - rebuttal , randomized controlled trial , health promotion , promotion (chess) , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , gerontology , public relations , nursing , public health , political science , law , surgery , politics
The overwhelming evidence about the role lifestyle plays in mortality, morbidity, and quality of life has pushed the young field of modern health promotion to center stage. The field is beset with intense debate about appropriate evaluation methodologies. Increasingly, randomized designs are considered inappropriate for health promotion research. We have reviewed criticisms against randomized trials that raise philosophical and practical issues, and we will show how most of these criticisms can be overcome with minor design modifications. By providing rebuttal to arguments against randomized trials, our work contributes to building a sound methodological base for health promotion research.