The Clinical Trial –The Gold Standard

The clinical trial, the most highly regarded research method is evaluated and a brief history of the clinical trial is included. Considered the gold standard for medical research, the clinical trial is held in such high regard because it is based on the simple but remarkable principles of a scientific experiment. Randomization of subjects to treatments, double blinding and the use of contemporaneous control groups add to its appeal. Nevertheless, in spite of it lofty position it can't guarantee that it's found all the correct answer in any single trial. No matter how well planned and executed a study's conclusions may still be wrong.