Question 10 of 25 • Probability and Statistics with Applications Honors Sem-1-FL-1210300 (2024-2025)
A study is testing the effectiveness of a new allergy medication. Sixty people who reported they experience allergies were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one with the new medication, and another with a placebo. After two weeks, the subjects were surveyed by technicians to determine their level of allergic symptoms.
Answer
A
This experiment should be double blind. Neither the subject nor the technician should know which group is receiving the new medication and which is receiving the placebo. This method would control for the placebo effect and prevent any effect on the response.
B
This experiment should be single blind. The subjects do not know which treatment they are receiving to control for the placebo effect, but the technicians need to know which group received which treatment.
C
This experiment should be single blind. The subjects know which treatment they are receiving but the technicians do not know which group received which treatment, so the response being measured is not affected.
D
This experiment should not use blinding. It is unethical for the subjects not to know which treatment they are receiving, placebo or new medication, and for the technicians not to know which group received which treatment.