Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are a type of scientific experiment often used in medical and social science research. In an RCT, participants are randomly assigned to different groups or conditions, with one group receiving the intervention (such as a new medication or treatment) and another group serving as a control or comparison group. By randomly assigning participants, researchers can ensure that any differences observed between the groups are due to the intervention and not other factors. RCTs are considered the gold standard for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, as they can help researchers establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the intervention and outcomes. RCTs are commonly used in pharmaceutical research, healthcare interventions, public health programs, and social science studies.