Editing Randomization (section)

{{Short description|Process of making something random}}
'''Randomization''' is a statistical process in which a random mechanism is employed to select a sample from a population or assign subjects to different groups.<ref name=":0">[[Oxford English Dictionary]] "randomization"</ref><ref name=":3">{{Citation |last1=Bespalov |first1=Anton |title=Blinding and Randomization |date=2020 |work=Good Research Practice in Non-Clinical Pharmacology and Biomedicine |pages=81–100 |editor-last=Bespalov |editor-first=Anton |series=Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/164_2019_279 |isbn=978-3-030-33656-1 |last2=Wicke |first2=Karsten |last3=Castagné |first3=Vincent |volume=257 |pmid=31696347 |s2cid=207956615 |editor2-last=Michel |editor2-first=Martin C. |editor3-last=Steckler |editor3-first=Thomas|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last1=Kang |first1=Minsoo |last2=Ragan |first2=Brian G |last3=Park |first3=Jae-Hyeon |date=2008 |title=Issues in Outcomes Research: An Overview of Randomization Techniques for Clinical Trials |journal=Journal of Athletic Training |volume=43 |issue=2 |pages=215–221 |doi=10.4085/1062-6050-43.2.215 |issn=1062-6050 |pmc=2267325 |pmid=18345348}}</ref> The process is crucial in ensuring the random allocation of experimental units or treatment protocols, thereby minimizing [[selection bias]] and enhancing the [[Validity (statistics)|statistical validity]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Saghaei |first=Mahmoud |date=2011 |title=An Overview of Randomization and Minimization Programs for Randomized Clinical Trials |journal=Journal of Medical Signals and Sensors |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=55–61 |doi=10.4103/2228-7477.83520 |issn=2228-7477 |pmc=3317766 |pmid=22606659 |doi-access=free }}</ref> It facilitates the objective comparison of treatment effects in [[Design of experiments|experimental design]], as it equates groups statistically by balancing both known and unknown factors at the outset of the study. In statistical terms, it underpins the principle of probabilistic equivalence among groups, allowing for the unbiased estimation of treatment effects and the generalizability of conclusions drawn from sample data to the broader population.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Desharnais |first1=Josée |last2=Laviolette |first2=François |last3=Zhioua |first3=Sami |date=2013-06-01 |title=Testing probabilistic equivalence through Reinforcement Learning |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890540113000163 |journal=Information and Computation |volume=227 |pages=21–57 |doi=10.1016/j.ic.2013.02.002 |issn=0890-5401}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sedgwick |first=Philip |date=2011-11-23 |title=Random sampling versus random allocation |url=https://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d7453 |journal=BMJ |language=en |volume=343 |pages=d7453 |doi=10.1136/bmj.d7453 |s2cid=71545281 |issn=0959-8138|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Randomization is not haphazard; instead, a [[stochastic process|random process]] is a sequence of random variables describing a process whose outcomes do not follow a deterministic pattern but follow an evolution described by [[Probability distribution|probability distributions]]. For example, a random sample of individuals from a population refers to a sample where every individual has a known probability of being sampled. This would be contrasted with [[nonprobability sampling]], where [[Arbitrariness|arbitrary]] individuals are selected. A [[Wald–Wolfowitz runs test|runs test]] can be used to determine whether the occurrence of a set of measured values is random.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Alhakim |first1=A |last2=Hooper |first2=W |date=2008 |title=A non-parametric test for several independent samples |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10485250801976741 |journal=Journal of Nonparametric Statistics |volume=20 |issue=3 |pages=253–261 |citeseerx=10.1.1.568.6110 |doi=10.1080/10485250801976741|s2cid=123493589 }}</ref> Randomization is widely applied in various fields, especially in scientific research, statistical analysis, and resource allocation, to ensure fairness and validity in the outcomes.<ref name=":5">{{Citation |last1=Fowler |first1=Kathryn L. |title=Chapter 58 - Principles and methods of randomization in research |date=2023-01-01 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323903004000380 |work=Translational Surgery |pages=353–358 |editor-last=Eltorai |editor-first=Adam E. M. |access-date=2023-12-10 |series=Handbook for Designing and Conducting Clinical and Translational Research |publisher=Academic Press |isbn=978-0-323-90300-4 |last2=Fleming |first2=Martin D. |editor2-last=Bakal |editor2-first=Jeffrey A. |editor3-last=Newell |editor3-first=Paige C. |editor4-last=Osband |editor4-first=Adena J.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Berger |first1=Vance W. |last2=Bour |first2=Louis Joseph |last3=Carter |first3=Kerstine |last4=Chipman |first4=Jonathan J. |last5=Everett |first5=Colin C. |last6=Heussen |first6=Nicole |last7=Hewitt |first7=Catherine |last8=Hilgers |first8=Ralf-Dieter |last9=Luo |first9=Yuqun Abigail |last10=Renteria |first10=Jone |last11=Ryeznik |first11=Yevgen |last12=Sverdlov |first12=Oleksandr |last13=Uschner |first13=Diane |date=2021-08-16 |title=A roadmap to using randomization in clinical trials |journal=BMC Medical Research Methodology |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=168 |doi=10.1186/s12874-021-01303-z |issn=1471-2288 |pmc=8366748 |pmid=34399696 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Toroyan |first1=Tami |last2=Roberts |first2=Ian |last3=Oakley |first3=Ann |date=2000-10-01 |title=Randomisation and resource allocation: a missed opportunity for evaluating health care and social interventions |url=https://jme.bmj.com/content/26/5/319 |journal=Journal of Medical Ethics |language=en |volume=26 |issue=5 |pages=319–322 |doi=10.1136/jme.26.5.319 |issn=0306-6800 |pmid=11055032|pmc=1733281 }}</ref>

In various contexts, randomization may involve

* <u>Generating Random Permutations</u>: This is essential in various situations, such as [[Shuffling|shuffling cards]]. By randomly rearranging the sequence, it ensures fairness and unpredictability in games and experiments.
* <u>Selecting Random Samples from Populations</u>: In [[Sampling (statistics)|statistical sampling]], this method is vital for obtaining representative samples. By randomly choosing a subset of individuals, biases are minimized, ensuring that the sample accurately reflects the larger population.
* <u>Random Allocation in Experimental Design</u>: Random assignment of experimental units to treatment or control conditions is fundamental in scientific studies. This approach ensures that each unit has an equal chance of receiving any treatment, thereby reducing [[systematic bias]] and improving the reliability of experimental results.
* <u>Generating Random Numbers</u>: The process of [[random number generation]] is central to simulations, [[Cryptography|cryptographic]] applications, and statistical analysis. These numbers form the basis for simulations, model testing, and secure data encryption.
* <u>Data Stream Transformation</u>: In telecommunications, randomization is used to transform [[Data stream|data streams]]. Techniques like [[Scrambler|scramblers]] randomize the data to prevent predictable patterns, which is crucial for securing communication channels and enhancing transmission reliability."

Randomization has many uses in [[Science|gambling]], political use, statistical analysis, [[art]], [[cryptography]], [[Video game|gaming]] and other fields.