What are "inclusion and exclusion criteria" used for?

Inclusion and exclusion criteria are pivotal components in clinical trials as they define the specific characteristics that participants must meet to join the study or that disqualify them from participating. These criteria are designed to ensure that the study population is homogenous enough to yield reliable and interpretable results, while also safeguarding the health and safety of the participants.

By determining participant eligibility, the criteria help researchers identify a relevant sample that reflects the target population for the intervention being studied. This careful selection process contributes to the validity of the trial, ensuring that the results can be appropriately attributed to the intervention rather than confounding variables.

Other options do not directly relate to the primary purpose of inclusion and exclusion criteria. For example, establishing a budget is focused on financial planning and resource allocation for the trial, while analyzing statistical outcomes pertains to evaluating results after the trial has been conducted. Creating marketing strategies, meanwhile, relates to promoting the trial and does not pertain to the scientific rigor required for participant selection.