In a meta-analysis, a question always arises. Is it worthwhile to combine estimates from
studies of different populations using various formulations of an intervention, evaluating …

The randomized controlled trial (RCT) is not a gold standard: it is a good experimental
design in some circumstances, but that's all. Potential shortcomings in the design and …

Many scientific and statistical issues are involved in generalizing the results of randomized
clinical trials. This paper examines the issues of heterogeneity of risk and heterogeneity of …

The best information concerning therapeutic interventions comes from randomized
controlled trials (RCTs). The validity of an RCT depends on the correct performance of a …

Objective.—To determine if inadequate approaches to randomized controlled trial design
and execution are associated with evidence of bias in estimating treatment effects. Design …

Objective: To assess whether there is evidence that randomized controlled trials are
systematically beneficial, or harmful, for patients. In other words, is there a “trial effect”? If so …

A new type of research, termed meta-analysis, attempts to analyze and combine the results
of previous reports. We found 86 meta-analyses of reports of randomized controlled trials in …

To compare the use of randomized controls (RCTs) and historical controls (HCTs) for clinical
trials, we searched the literature for therapies studied by both methods. We found six …

Objective Meta-epidemiological studies provide empirical evidence of trial characteristics
associated with treatment effects. We aimed to evaluate methods used and characteristics …

IN 1992, HANSSON ET AL1 PROPOSED A NOVEL DESIGN, THE prospective randomized
open trial with blinded end-point assessments. The lack of blinding of investigators and …