What is randomisation and why is it important?

In this video Professor Shaun Treweek explains why researchers get excited about the idea of randomisation in trials. In everyday life we probably often say ‘well that’s a bit random’ and we don’t generally mean that in a good way. But what randomisation allows us to do is create groups of people who are alike apart from the treatment being tested and that’s why we get so excited about randomisation in trials.