A randomized clinical trial (RCT) is currently the strongest method for evaluating interventions in clinical practice. RCTs also provide the politically most powerful form of evidence. However it is not necessarily agreed what constitutes an RCT. This editorial explores what might be included within the rubric of ‘randomized clinical trial' (and randomized controlled trial) by considering the reasons for using randomization and controls, and by discussing the definitions of clinical and trial. It suggests that the definition used in the Cochrane Glossary is too restricted and needs revision.
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