double-blind

[duhb-uhl-blahynd]

adjective

1. of or relating to an experiment or clinical trial in which neither the subjects nor the researchers know which subjects are receiving the active medication, treatment, etc., and which are not: a technique for eliminating subjective bias from the test results.

double-blind

adjective

1. of or relating to an experiment to discover reactions to certain commodities, drugs, etc, in which neither the experimenters nor the subjects know the particulars of the test items during the experiments Compare single-blind

Word History and Origins

Origin of double-blind¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

But to move from hypothesis to proven treatment, he says, the scientific community urgently needs double-blind, randomized, controlled trials—the gold standard for treatment research—on nicotine therapy for post-acute infection syndromes.

From Slate

Just last week, Kennedy told American parents to “do your own research” on vaccines as if the average American mother is capable of running a double-blind study at her kitchen table in her abundant downtime.

From Los Angeles Times

Because it’s a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, if Jose is accepted, Tarantino will not know whether or not her dog is receiving the drug.

From Slate

The trial is a double-blind study, so no one knows who is on the drug and who is taking the placebo, with researchers monitoring changes in iron levels in all participants.

From BBC

“Although there are many hangover products marketed, there is no convincing scientific evidence that these treatments are effective. Independent double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials in social drinkers are needed,” Verster said.

From Los Angeles Times