Investigação em Enfermagem e Ensaio Clínico Randomizado: da Teoria à Prática

Abstract

The Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) is part of the quantitative research designs, adopting systematic, objective and rigorous research strategies that allow the generation and refining of knowledge. Thus, the knowledge produced from a quantitative study is the result of careful observation, mediation and interpretation of objective reality. This method of inquiry reflects a deterministic philosophy that is based on the postpositivist paradigm. This paradigm argues that reality can be discovered through a typically deductive approach. Nowadays, RCTs are widely recognized for their use in the pharmaceutical industry and other areas of medicine as a valuable research method, since all steps of the methodological process are rigorously fulfilled. They are recognized as promoters of high levels of evidence and are a powerful tool for evaluating the effectiveness of preventive or therapeutic interventions.