What does randomization help prevent in clinical research?

Randomization is a critical process in clinical research as it helps to eliminate bias in the selection of participants. By randomly assigning participants to either the treatment or control group, researchers ensure that each individual has an equal chance of being placed in either group, which reduces the likelihood that the differences observed in outcomes are influenced by pre-existing differences between participants. This helps to create comparable groups, allowing for a more valid assessment of the treatment's effects.

An important aspect of randomization is that it minimizes confounding variables—factors that can affect the outcome and are not related to the intervention being studied. Without randomization, researchers might unknowingly favor certain groups or individuals for treatment based on their characteristics, leading to skewed results and potentially invalid conclusions.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of randomization. Data loss, delays in research, and interpretation errors are not directly addressed through randomization; instead, they relate to other aspects of study design and execution.