The blind method is a part of the scientific method, used to prevent research outcomes from being influenced by either the placebo effect or the observer bias. To blind a person involved in research (whether a researcher, subject, funder, or other person) is to prevent them from knowing certain information about the process. The terms 'blind' (adj) or 'to blind' (vt) when used in this sense are figurative extensions of the literal idea of blindfo...
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The blind method is a part of the scientific method, used to prevent research outcomes from being influenced by either the placebo effect or the observer bias. To blind a person involved in research (whether a researcher, subject, funder, or other person) is to prevent them from knowing certain information about the process. The terms 'blind' (adj) or 'to blind' (vt) when used in this sense are figurative extensions of the literal idea of blindfolding someone. Blinded research is an important tool in many fields of research, from medicine, to psychology and the social sciences, to forensics.
There can be varying degrees of blinding (eg, single-blind, double-blind, triple-blind), as explained more below.
The opposite of a blind trial is an open trial.
Blinding is a basic tool to prevent conscious as well as subconscious bias in research. For example, in open taste tests comparing different product brands, consumers usually choose their regular brand. However, in blind taste tests,...
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