Clinical trials

Question 1

Why are clinical trials used

Answer 1

To establish effectiveness and safety of a drug before it is licensed for use.

Question 2

Explain randomisation in clinical trials

Answer 2

To reduce bias, the individuals in the group are randomised so that factors such as age and gender of participants is minimised

Question 3

Explain placebo control in clinical trials

Answer 3

One group of subjects received the vaccine, while the second group receives a placebo instead of the vaccine. The placebo is administered the same way but it’s is a ‘blank’ and does not contain the vaccine or drug. This is to ensure valid comparisons.

Question 4

Describe double blindness in clinical trials

Answer 4

A double blind trial is one in which neither the researcher or the members of the groups know who is receiving what - this eliminated bias.

Question 5

Explain the importance of group size

Answer 5

During clinical trials it’s important that the group size is large to increase the reliability of the results. This can help reduce experimental error and increase the statistical significance of results

Question 6

What is statistical significance

Answer 6

When the difference in results between control and test groups is great enough to deem the drug effective.