A behind-the-scenes blog about research methods at Pew Research Center. For our latest findings, visit pewresearch.org. Identifying causal relationships from observational data is not easy. Still, ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Very little in this life is truly random. A coin flip is influenced ...

Researchers have built the fastest random-number generator ever made, using a simple laser. It exploits fluctuations in the intensity of light to generate randomness — a coveted resource in ...

If your name gets picked for jury duty, it’s because a computer used a random number generator to select it. The same goes for tax audits or when you opt for a quick pick lottery ticket. But how can ...

Randomness is incredibly useful. People often draw straws, throw dice or flip coins to make fair choices. Random numbers can enable auditors to make completely unbiased selections. Randomness is also ...

Chip-based device paves the way for scalable and secure random number generation, an essential building block for future digital infrastructure Chip-based device paves the way for scalable and secure ...