title: Randomised controlled trials: an introduction for nurse researchers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present an overview of the main components of randomised controlled trials and identify issues for consideration during their design and management.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are considered to be the gold standard for determining causality and can provide high quality evidence to inform nursing practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A search of online databases and websites was undertaken to identify relevant contemporary literature to inform the discussion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conducting a robust randomised controlled trial can present researchers with numerous challenges and practical considerations. The importance of taking account of the Consort guidelines during their design, conduct and reporting is emphasised.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evidence from well conducted RCTs contributes to the development of effective nursing interventions. To avoid bias and ensure valid results, the design, conduct and reporting of RCTs should follow the Consort guidelines. Service users should be involved in the design and management of RCTs.
authors.affiliation: Florence Nightingale School of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London, UK. suzanne.bench@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bench
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
mesh_terms: D015400:Clinical Nursing Research / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results