Understanding the Process of Science Pt.2

What is a Clinical Trial?

A clinical trial is basically a health-related research studies on human beings that follow a certain protocol.

Double-Blind:A clinical trial design in which neither the participating individuals nor the study staff knows which participants are receiving the experimental drug and which are receiving a placebo (or another therapy). Double-blind trials are thought to produce objective results, since the expectations of the doctor and the participant about the experimental drug do not affect the outcome; also called double-masked study. 

Placebo: A placebo is an inactive pill, liquid, or powder that has no treatment value. In clinical trials, experimental treatments are often compared with placebos to assess the treatment's effectiveness. 


http://clinicaltrials.gov/
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