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.

Example Sentences

The paper, titled "High Body Mass Index as a Causal Risk Factor for Vascular-related Dementia a Mendelian Randomization Study," was published online ahead of print.

From Science Daily • Jan. 26, 2026

Randomization and double-blind methods create potential ethical issues because they seem to favor producing good data over patient interests.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Randomization also helps protect against potential bias in studies, such as researchers with allegiances to certain therapies or facilities, said Raquel Halfond, an expert on child and adolescent research with the American Psychological Association.

From Salon • Feb. 2, 2020

Randomization has undoubtedly improved scholarship on development work, imbuing economic studies of interventions in the developing world with more methodological rigor.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2014

Randomization is not a necessarily even the best way to advance science.

From New York Times • Mar. 5, 2014