Discuss the importance of blinding to strengthen a study.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Blinding is a process used to reduce outside influence on a study. Blinding can be done in several ways: the participants are not informed whether they are in the control or intervention group, the statistician is not informed of the study details, or data collectors are not informed about the details of the study. Blinding can use a single, double, or triple approach, depending on how much the researcher feels is necessary to prevent outside influence on the study. Blinding of participants, for example, would reduce the likelihood of participants believing they have had some effect from the study when they haven't. Blinding of the data collectors reduces influence to alter participant responses. Blinding of statisticians prevents bias in the evaluation of data. All aspects of blinding are applied to improve the quality of the study results.

Discuss the Importance of Blinding to Strengthen a Study