{"title":"Experimentation Without Randomised Controls.","authors":"Stephen D Simon","doi":"10.1111/joor.13960","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In an experimental study, researchers often have the ability to assign different treatments. This is often done with randomisation. There are many settings; however, where it is not desirable to use randomisation. It is unclear how to best design an experimental study without randomisation while still providing persuasive evidence.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of this study was to outline several approaches, broadly classified as quasiexperimental studies, where researchers can use methodologically sound alternatives to randomisation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The interrupted time series, phased inventions, withdrawal design, waiting list control group, stepped wedge design and regression discontinuity all represent approaches where careful nonrandom allocation to treatment groups can produce high-quality research findings.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Quasiexperimental studies can produce rigorous research findings. The allocation to treatment groups and the times of evaluation need to be carefully designed. Proper use of these quasiexperimental approaches can enhance research options in settings where the research team has control of allocation but finds randomisation to be problematic.</p>","PeriodicalId":16605,"journal":{"name":"Journal of oral rehabilitation","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of oral rehabilitation","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.13960","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE","Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: In an experimental study, researchers often have the ability to assign different treatments. This is often done with randomisation. There are many settings; however, where it is not desirable to use randomisation. It is unclear how to best design an experimental study without randomisation while still providing persuasive evidence.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to outline several approaches, broadly classified as quasiexperimental studies, where researchers can use methodologically sound alternatives to randomisation.
Results: The interrupted time series, phased inventions, withdrawal design, waiting list control group, stepped wedge design and regression discontinuity all represent approaches where careful nonrandom allocation to treatment groups can produce high-quality research findings.
Conclusion: Quasiexperimental studies can produce rigorous research findings. The allocation to treatment groups and the times of evaluation need to be carefully designed. Proper use of these quasiexperimental approaches can enhance research options in settings where the research team has control of allocation but finds randomisation to be problematic.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation aims to be the most prestigious journal of dental research within all aspects of oral rehabilitation and applied oral physiology. It covers all diagnostic and clinical management aspects necessary to re-establish a subjective and objective harmonious oral function.
Oral rehabilitation may become necessary as a result of developmental or acquired disturbances in the orofacial region, orofacial traumas, or a variety of dental and oral diseases (primarily dental caries and periodontal diseases) and orofacial pain conditions. As such, oral rehabilitation in the twenty-first century is a matter of skilful diagnosis and minimal, appropriate intervention, the nature of which is intimately linked to a profound knowledge of oral physiology, oral biology, and dental and oral pathology.
The scientific content of the journal therefore strives to reflect the best of evidence-based clinical dentistry. Modern clinical management should be based on solid scientific evidence gathered about diagnostic procedures and the properties and efficacy of the chosen intervention (e.g. material science, biological, toxicological, pharmacological or psychological aspects). The content of the journal also reflects documentation of the possible side-effects of rehabilitation, and includes prognostic perspectives of the treatment modalities chosen.