controlled trial
nounUK /kənˈtrəʊld ˈtraɪəl/
US /kənˈtroʊld ˈtraɪəl/
A test where scientists compare two groups to see if a new medicine or treatment really works.
The doctors ran a controlled trial to check if the new pill helped people feel better.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A scientific test in which one factor is changed while everything else is kept the same.
In the controlled trial, only the amount of water given to the plants was different.
3. A careful comparison between two or more groups under set conditions.
The school did a controlled trial to see which reading program worked best.
4. A study designed to reduce bias by using a comparison group.
The controlled trial used a placebo so nobody knew who got the real medicine.