# Randomized non-comparative trials: an oxymoron?

**URL:** <https://discourse.datamethods.org/t/randomized-non-comparative-trials-an-oxymoron/20863>\
**Category:** general\
**Tags:** rct, design, interpretation\
**Created:** [September 24, 2024, 6:57am UTC](https://discourse.datamethods.org/t/randomized-non-comparative-trials-an-oxymoron/20863 "2024-09-24T06:57:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 19

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**Author:** ![ESMD](https://discourse.datamethods.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@ESMD](https://discourse.datamethods.org/u/ESMD)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 9:33pm UTC](https://discourse.datamethods.org/t/randomized-non-comparative-trials-an-oxymoron/20863/19 "2025-02-01T21:33:30Z")

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Arrgh! So frustrating. My own 2 cents- I think these errors stem from widespread misunderstanding of the phrase “RCTs show causality.”

[https://discourse.datamethods.org/t/causal-inferences-from-rcts-could-toy-clinical-examples-promote-understanding/18375/15?u=esmd](https://discourse.datamethods.org/t/causal-inferences-from-rcts-could-toy-clinical-examples-promote-understanding/18375/15?u=esmd)

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