Randomized Trials

Introduction

The randomized trial is often described as the “gold standard” of epidemiological research. In contrast to observational study designs such as the cohort study and the case-control study, randomized trials are experimental in nature: the researchers randomly assign exposure to individuals, rather than simply observing the patterns of exposure occurring in the study population. This exercise will highlight the key features of the randomized trials design, along with investigating its strengths and weaknesses.

Faculty Highlight: Dr. Alan Berkman

Dr. Alan Berkman is an Associate Professor of Clinical Epidemiology and Sociomedical Sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health. Dr. Berkman has been actively interested in Public Health and social change since (at least) his days as a medical student at Columbia University. The current focus of Dr. Berkman’s work is the development of comprehensive programs in resource-constrained settings that integrate prevention, treatment and mitigation of HIV/AIDS at a population level. He was an early advocate for the global expansion of HIV care and treatment programs and continues to explore ways that such programs can be used to strengthen prevention efforts.

His work in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, while initially focused on adults, has increasingly brought his attention to the issue of the family as a unit and the particular impact of the epidemic on children. His research interests include the development of behavioral interventions that promote adherence to care and prevention for HIV+ individuals; structural interventions to strengthen family and community-based efforts to stabilize the lives of orphans and vulnerable children, and policy issues including HIV testing algorithms and innovative approaches to prevention of maternal to child transmission.