| Definition |
A process used in clinical trials to assign individuals to the control group (to receive the standard treatment) or the test group (to receive the new treatment under study) without the individuals or the researchers knowing to which group they have been assigned. Blinding helps ensure that information collected in the study is true and not biased (flawed). In a single-blinded study, the individuals do not know whether the standard treatment or a new treatment is being given. In a double-blinded study, neither the individuals nor the researchers know which treatment is being given. |