title: Evidence-based urology: how does a randomized clinical trial achieve its designed goals?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the methodological considerations of a standard and applicable randomized clinical trial (RCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a predefined strategy, we conducted systematic computerized search of the MEDLINE (1966 to 2011) and EMBASE (1980 to 2011) databases to identify all English language educational articles discussing the RCT methodological aspects. Full text versions of identified studies were reviewed in blinded fashion for key methodological and statistical characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Randomized clinical trials in surgery are the highest level of the primary research evidence in evidence-based medicine. There is increasing demand for implementation of RCTs in urological daily practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Randomized clinical trials' report should be absolutely clear, simple, and easy to understand with well-defined internal and external validity. Efforts should be made to design high quality RCTs in urology. There are substantial needs for urologists to their knowledge about RCT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Homayoun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sadeghi Bazargani
authors.forename: Sakineh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hajebrahimi
mesh_terms: D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014572:Urology