Random mating
Totally haphazard mating, with no regard to the genetic makeup (genotype) of the mate, so that any sperm has an equal chance of fertilizing any egg. Random mating rarely, if ever, occurs, but the concept is important in population genetics. Also known as panmixus.
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- Random number table
A table of numbers generated in an unpredictable, haphazard sequence. Tables of random numbers are used to create a random sample. A random number table is therefore also called a random sample table. Random numbers were traditionally selected from a printed table. Today random numbers can be generated by computer.
- Random numbers
Numbers generated in an unpredictable haphazard sequence; numbers generated by chance alone.
- Random sample
A test group that is selected solely by chance.
- Randomization
A method based on chance alone by which study participants are assigned to a treatment group. Randomization minimizes the differences among groups by equally distributing people with particular characteristics among all the trial arms. The researchers do not know which treatment is better. From what is known at the time, any one of the treatments […]
- Randomize
To use chance alone to assign or arrange. For example, the investigators may randomize the participants in a clinical trial to different groups in order to compare the outcomes of different treatments.