Describe the double-blind technique and why it is important to research studies. Include a discussion of the importance of controls.
What will be an ideal response?
Double Blind: When both the subjects and the researchers do not know which
subjects are in which group, the study is called a double-blind experiment.
Being fallible human beings and having an emotional and sometimes financial
investment in a successful outcome, researchers might record and interpret
results with a bias in the expected direction. To prevent such bias, the pills are
coded by a third party, who does not reveal to the experimenters which subjects
are in which group until all results have been recorded.
Controls: Research studies include control groups, which are similar in all
possible respects to the experimental group, except for the treatment. This is
accomplished through randomization. Ideally, the control group receives a
placebo while the experimental group receives the real treatment.
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