Randomized Controlled Trial
A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) is a scientific experiment that randomly assigns participants to either a treatment group or a control group to test the efficacy of an intervention. It is considered the gold standard for establishing causal relationships in fields like medicine, psychology, and social sciences. By minimizing bias through randomization, it allows researchers to draw reliable conclusions about cause and effect.
Developers should learn about RCTs when working in data science, healthcare technology, or A/B testing for software products, as it provides a rigorous framework for evaluating interventions. It is essential for designing experiments in clinical trials, user experience research, and policy evaluations where unbiased evidence is critical. Understanding RCTs helps in implementing robust testing methodologies in tech-driven projects.