OldDog/NewTricks
Well-known member
Question & Answer
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368) Question:
In testing new medicines, what's the difference between a blind and a double-blind test?
Answer:
What both have in common is a group of patients, some of whom get the new medication while others receive a placebo. The question is, who knows what was given to whom? (For purposes of this explanation, we ignore drug companies that stand to profit from these medicines, which approach the tests with eyes wide open and focused on their spreadsheets.)
In a blind test, the patients do not know if they got the placebo or the real thing. But the doctor administering the medication does know which went to whom. This keeps the patients from having a subjective reaction and skewing the results. But it's always possible the doctor could unconsciously signal to patients what they were getting.
In a double-blind test, patient and doctor are each in the dark. The doctor doesn't know to whom she gave the experimental whosamajiggie, and who swallowed peppermint candy.
(Source: THE BOOK OF ANSWERS by Barbara Berliner)
>>>>>> <<<<<<
368) Question:
In testing new medicines, what's the difference between a blind and a double-blind test?
Answer:
What both have in common is a group of patients, some of whom get the new medication while others receive a placebo. The question is, who knows what was given to whom? (For purposes of this explanation, we ignore drug companies that stand to profit from these medicines, which approach the tests with eyes wide open and focused on their spreadsheets.)
In a blind test, the patients do not know if they got the placebo or the real thing. But the doctor administering the medication does know which went to whom. This keeps the patients from having a subjective reaction and skewing the results. But it's always possible the doctor could unconsciously signal to patients what they were getting.
In a double-blind test, patient and doctor are each in the dark. The doctor doesn't know to whom she gave the experimental whosamajiggie, and who swallowed peppermint candy.
(Source: THE BOOK OF ANSWERS by Barbara Berliner)