In order to compile and accurately measure its effectiveness, the subject pool for a new antidepressant was about 200 subjects. The pharmaceutical company prescribes 100 subjects the new medication X and a sugar pill for the remaining 100 individuals. To ensure effectiveness, the subjects are unaware of who has taken medication X and who has taken the sugar pill. This practice is known as:
A) experimenter bias.
B) pharmaceutical design.
C) placebo.
D) subject bias.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This practice is known as a placebo, where an inactive substance (in this case, a sugar pill) is given to a part of the study group to compare its effects with those of the actual medication, without the subjects knowing which one they are receiving. This helps to measure the medication's effectiveness more accurately by controlling for the placebo effect.

In Order to Compile and Accurately Measure Its Effectiveness, the Subject