Clinical trials of vaccines and drugs

Question 1

Purpose of clinical trials

Answer 1

1. safety
2. effectiveness
3. dosage

Question 2

3 main protocols in clinical trials

Answer 2

1. randomised
2. placebo-controlled
3. double-blind

Question 3

Randomised

Answer 3

All participants are split into different groups entirely at random - computer generated

Reduces bias (e.g same gender or age)

Question 4

Placebo-controlled

Answer 4

One group given placebo (control group) and other group given drug. Participants must not be aware which group, and results compared.

Question 5

Double-blind

Answer 5

Neither participants or researchers know which group is which which reduces bias of results when interpreted

Question 6

Size of clinical trial

Answer 6

Ensure subject groups are suitable size to reduce magnitude of experimental error - smaller groups increases chance of unknown factor could affect results

Large enough to have relevance to wider population

Question 7

Graph from results

Answer 7

Often feature a error bar which shows spread of data around mean value - small error bar means smaller deviation around mean value

Question 8

3 stages of testing new drugs

Answer 8

human cell tests; animal testing; trials with humans