Zufallsisierung

Zufallsisierung is a German term that translates to "randomization" in English. It refers to the process of assigning participants or experimental units to different treatment groups in a study using a random method. The primary goal of Zufallsisierung is to ensure that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any of the available groups. This helps to minimize bias and create comparable groups, making it more likely that any observed differences between the groups are due to the treatment being studied, rather than pre-existing differences between the participants.

Common methods of Zufallsisierung include simple randomization, where a random number generator is used to assign participants; block randomization, which ensures a balanced number of participants in each group at different stages of recruitment; and stratified randomization, where participants are first divided into subgroups based on important characteristics (like age or sex) and then randomized within those subgroups. The rigorous application of Zufallsisierung is a cornerstone of well-designed clinical trials and other scientific experiments, contributing significantly to the internal validity of research findings. It helps establish a causal link between an intervention and its outcome.