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Clinical study design, explained

How studies are built.

Five designs. Clear diagrams. No background needed.

05

Designs

04

Methods

15

Terms

  • Randomize
  • Blind
  • Control
  • Placebo
  • Cohort
  • Crossover
  • Snapshot
  • Endpoint
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Study planning objects: flowchart cards, jars of dice, a stopwatch, a ruler, and printed charts

Five designs to know

Tap a design.

studydesignstudio.com/rct
RGROUP AGROUP B

Randomized Controlled Trials

Volunteers are assigned to groups by chance, so the groups start out alike and differences at the end are easier to interpret.

  • Random assignment to groups
  • A comparison or control group
  • Often paired with blinding

Comparison chart

How they stack up.

  • Randomized5/5
  • Cohort3/5
  • Case-control2/5
  • Cross-sectional1/5
Relative scale, for learning only.

How it works

Three steps.

  1. 01

    Pick a design

    Start with one of five study types.

  2. 02

    Follow the diagram

    See how people move through it.

  3. 03

    Compare

    Check what each design can and cannot show.

Isometric blocks: one group of tokens splits into two colored groups, then a bar chart

FAQ

Quick answers.

Do I need a science background?

No. Every guide starts from zero.

Is this a research program?

No. Study Design Studio explains how studies work. It does not run studies or enroll anyone.

Are the text messages required?

No. They are optional, and every page is free to read without them.

How do I stop texts?

Reply STOP at any time. Reply HELP for help.

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