The Vroooz glossary

The scientific terms you meet in our verdicts, explained in plain language. The same definitions appear as tooltips in the app.

Meta-analysis

A study that combines the results of many studies for a sturdier conclusion.

Systematic review

A rigorous, exhaustive review of all the serious studies on a question.

Randomized controlled trial

An experiment with random allocation and a control group: the most reliable evidence.

Cohort study

A study that follows a group of people over time to see what happens to them.

Observational study

Observing without intervening: it shows links, not necessarily a cause.

Correlation

Two things move together, which doesn't prove one causes the other.

p-value

A number estimating the chance the result is due to luck. Smaller means less likely to be chance.

Relative risk

How much a risk goes up or down in proportion (e.g. +20%), without the starting risk.

Absolute risk

The real risk as a number of people affected (e.g. 2 in 100).

Confidence interval

The range within which the true result probably sits.

In vitro

In the lab (cells, test tube), not in humans.

Placebo

A dummy treatment used to compare and measure the true effect.