Randomization - What is this?

• Randomization of subjects into groups

  • Applicable guidelines: MDAR, NIH, CONSORT, ARRIVE

  • Considered addressed when a statement describing whether randomization was used (e.g. assigning subjects to experimental groups, positions in a multiwell device, processing order, etc.).

  • Good overview of topic for clinical studies Kang 2008 (PMC2267325)

  • Good overview of topic for animal studies: ARRIVE Guidelines

• How SciScore works

  • If we find a randomization statement, then SciScore expects to find the following items (blinding, power);

  • Note, in a previous version of SciScore we noticed that sometimes Randomization was not detected when spelled as Randomisation. This bug was fixed, but if you notice that an alternative spelling is not being recognized please do let us know.

• Example sentences

  • Animals were assigned to experimental groups using simple randomization.

  • The injured rats were randomly assigned to receive treatment by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection at 5 min and 2, 6.

  • The randomisation was based on the random number generator function in Microsoft Excel 2013.