Placebos and Double-Blind Trials

A placebo is a "fake" drug that has no active effect.

In a blind trial, the patient doesn't know if they have the real drug.

In a double-blind trial, neither the doctor nor the patient knows.

Question 1

Which statement accurately describes placebos double blind trials at a GCSE level?

Accepted Answer

Correct pedagogical fact about trials

Answer

Common misconception about trials

Answer

Incorrect scale or unit

Answer

Irrelevant detail

Question 2

Why might a placebo be used in a double-blind clinical trial?

Accepted Answer

To compare the drug's effects with a treatment that has no active ingredient

Answer

To make sure nobody in the trial takes the drug

Answer

To increase the toxicity of the drug

Answer

To guarantee the drug will be approved

Question 3

Choose the best explanation: why might a placebo be used in a double-blind clinical trial?

Accepted Answer

To compare the drug's effects with a treatment that has no active ingredient

Answer

To make sure nobody in the trial takes the drug

Answer

To increase the toxicity of the drug

Answer

To guarantee the drug will be approved

Question 4

Select why might a placebo be used in a double-blind clinical trial?

Accepted Answer

To compare the drug's effects with a treatment that has no active ingredient

Answer

To increase the toxicity of the drug

Answer

To make sure nobody in the trial takes the drug

Answer

To guarantee the drug will be approved

What is Placebos and Double-Blind Trials?