What is the main purpose of randomization in clinical trials?

The main purpose of randomization in clinical trials is to eliminate selection bias and ensure that differences in outcomes are due to the intervention. By randomly assigning participants to different treatment groups, researchers can make sure that each group is comparable and that participant characteristics are evenly distributed. This process helps to isolate the effect of the intervention being tested, thereby enhancing the validity of the results.

Randomization plays a crucial role in the integrity of the study's findings. It mitigates the potential influence of confounding variables, which are characteristics that could affect the outcome of the study apart from the intervention itself. As a result, any observed effects can be more confidently attributed to the treatment rather than other external factors.

Understanding this aspect is fundamental to the design of robust clinical trials and contributes significantly to the reliability of scientific evidence in medical research. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the core objective of randomization in ensuring that the study yields valid and interpretable results.