Which statement best describes the objective of clinical trials?

• A. Increase profits
• B. Prove superiority
• C. Expand data collection quickly
• D. Maximize objectivity, minimize bias, and avoid errors

Answer: (D)

Clinical trials aim to determine whether a treatment works and is safe, based on evidence that is as free from bias as possible. The best statement captures this aim: to maximize objectivity, minimize bias, and avoid errors. Achieving that relies on careful design and conduct—randomization to balance differences between groups, blinding to keep expectations from shaping outcomes, pre-specified outcomes and analysis plans to prevent fishing for favorable results, and an adequate sample size to reduce random error. While some trials may seek to prove one treatment is superior or to move quickly to gather data, these are specific goals within a broader objective of producing reliable, trustworthy evidence that can guide clinical decisions.