randomization

American  

[ran-duh-mahy-zey-shuhn] / ˌræn də maɪˈzeɪ ʃən /

especially British, randomisation

noun

1. the act or process of ordering or selecting people, things, or places in a random way, as in a sample or experiment, especially in order to reduce bias and interference by irrelevant variables.

   Randomization was achieved by using a computer-generated number to assign each participant to a group.

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Etymology

Origin of randomization

randomiz(e) ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Explanation

When you deliberately cause something not to be orderly or follow an expected pattern, that's randomization. Thoroughly shuffling a deck of cards is one example of randomization. When you deal the cards for your crazy eights game, you don't want them to be in order — that would be no fun at all! What you're going for when you shuffle is randomization, forcing the cards into a random order, entirely governed by chance. Randomization in scientific trials and studies means that a random group of people is surveyed or tested: people of different ages, races, and socioeconomic statuses.