In comparative drug studies, double-blind experiments are typically used. The purpose of keeping the diagnosing physicians ignorant of the treatment status of the experimental subjects is to
A) eliminate grounds for malpractice suits.
B) ensure that subjects were randomly assigned to treatments.
C) eliminate a possible source of bias.
D) make sure nobody is harmed.
E) prevent stratification of the experiment.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Keeping the diagnosing physicians ignorant of the treatment status of the experimental subjects helps to eliminate a possible source of bias, which could be introduced if the physician knew which treatment the subject was receiving. Without blinding the physicians, the results of the study might be influenced by the physician's expectations, leading to an incorrect conclusion about the effectiveness of the treatment. By blinding the diagnosing physicians, the study can be conducted more objectively, and the results are more likely to be accurate.

In Comparative Drug Studies, Double-Blind Experiments Are Typically Used