Unit Three - Key Area 8

Question 1

What is the purpose of clinical trials?

Answer 1

Clinical trials are needed to establish safety and effectiveness before being licensed for use.

Question 2

Describe the ‘randomised’ technique in clinical trials?

Answer 2

All participants in the clinical trial are split into different groups entirely at random. A computer programme may be used. Randomising the participants reduces possible bias in the trial, for example by preventing people of the same gender or similar ages together.

Question 3

Described the ‘double-blind’ technique in clinical trials?

Answer 3

Neither the participants nor the researchers are aware which group has been given the drug and which group has been given the placebo. This also reduces bias when interpreting the results.

Question 4

Describe the ‘placebo-controlled’ technique in clinical trials?

Answer 4

One group of participants will be given the drug and another control group will be given the placebo. It is important that participants are not aware of which group they are in. Following the completion of the trial, results will be compared.

Question 5

Describe the importance of group size, when carrying out clinical trials

Answer 5

The importance of group size during clinical trials will reduce experimental error and establish a statistical significance.
At the end of the trial, results from two groups of a suitable size will reduce the magnitude of any experimental error and these two groups are also compared to determine whether there are any statistically significant differences between them.