Double Blind Study Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Double Blind Study?
A double blind study is a type of research method in which neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving an experimental treatment or placebo. This eliminates any potential bias in the results. Double blind studies can be used to study the efficacy of medical treatments, pharmaceuticals and psychological therapies. The idea behind this methodology is that both parties are “blindto what they are getting; thus eliminating a potential source of bias in the outcome. In order for a double blind study to be successful, it must meet certain criteria such as randomization (that all participants have an equal chance of being assigned to either group), blinding (neither participant nor researcher knows who received which treatment) and ensuring that only those involved directly with administering treatments have knowledge about them so that there cannot be any kind of deliberate or unintentional manipulation or suggestion during administration or evaluation. A double blind study also requires good record keeping and accurate reporting for each participant throughout the duration of the experiment, including pre-selecting criteria that allows valid comparisons between groups, tracking changes over time, and collecting data from follow up visits after completion of treatment. The primary advantage associated with double blind studies is its ability to eliminate many forms of bias that could potentially affect outcomes if either party was aware of their own status within the experiment. It also helps reduce dropout rates since participants may not feel obligated to remain in a study if they believe they are receiving no direct benefit from it (e.g., placebo effect). Furthermore, due to randomization, it can help control for any differences among different types/groups of people participating in an experiment by creating an even playing field where all individuals have similar chances at being assigned one particular treatment or another regardless of personal characteristics like age, gender etc.