double-blind procedure

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Explanation of "Double-Blind Procedure"

Definition: A "double-blind procedure" is a method used in experiments, especially in medical and scientific research. In this procedure, neither the participants (subjects) nor the researchers (people administering the experiment) know important details about the experiment. This helps to ensure that the results are fair and not influenced by people's expectations or biases.

Advanced Usage:

1. Research Context: In clinical trials, researchers often use double-blind procedures to prevent any bias that could affect the results. This is essential for the credibility of the findings.
2. Statistical Analysis: After conducting a double-blind study, researchers can analyze the data more reliably since they are less likely to be influenced by personal opinions or expectations.

Word Variants:

• Single-blind procedure: In this method, only the participants do not know certain details, while the researchers do. This is less rigorous than a double-blind procedure.
• Blind study: This is a broader term that can refer to either single-blind or double-blind methods.

Different Meanings:

The term "double-blind" primarily relates to experimental procedures. However, in a broader sense, "blind" can refer to being unaware of something. For example, "blind to the facts" means not aware of important information.

Synonyms:

• Blind trial: Another term for an experiment where participants do not know whether they are receiving a treatment or a placebo.
• Controlled trial: This refers to experiments where conditions are controlled to isolate the effects of the treatment being studied.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While "double-blind procedure" is a specific term without direct idioms or phrasal verbs associated with it, you might encounter phrases like: - "In the dark": This means not knowing something important, similar to how participants are "in the dark" about what they receive in a double-blind study.

Summary:

A double-blind procedure is a scientific method to ensure fair and unbiased results in experiments by keeping both participants and researchers unaware of key details.

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Noun

1. an experimental procedure in which neither the subjects of the experiment nor the persons administering the experiment know the critical aspects of the experiment
   • a double-blind procedure is used to guard against both experimenter bias and placebo effects

Synonyms

• double-blind experiment
• double-blind study