randomization

/ˌrændəmaɪˈzeɪʃən/

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.

Definitions of randomization

1. noun

   a deliberately haphazard arrangement of observations so as to simulate chance
   synonyms: randomisation

   type of:

   organisation, organization

   the activity or result of distributing or disposing persons or things properly or methodically