Randomised controlled trials and population-based observational research: partners in the evolution of medical evidence

Recent reports have highlighted the distinct roles and occasional tension between randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and population-based observational research ( Concato, 2012 ; Hershman and Wright, 2012 ; Goodwin et al, 2013 ). In this commentary, we will discuss the relative strengths and limitations of each form of research (see Table 1 ), and propose that well-designed RCTs and population-based observational studies can serve as complementary forms of research to ensure that the results of clinical trials translate into tangible benefits in the general population. Table 1 An overview of relative strengths and limitations of randomized controlled trials and population-based observational studies Full size table