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Science's default position -- the null hypothesis -- is that there is no relationship between two phenomena. In this case, the phenomena are "administering tre
by pharrlax 10y ago
Science's default position -- the null hypothesis -- is that there is no relationship between two phenomena.
In this case, the phenomena are "administering treatment" and "seeing positive results".
If the null hypothesis is accurate, and there is no relationship between treatment and outcomes, then it doesn't work. So yes, that is indeed science's default position.
- imaginenore 10y agoNo, in this case, the phenomena are "administering treatment" and "seeing results" (not just positive). You start off with "we don't know if it makes humans better or worse or does absolutely nothing, let's do a bunch of tests". Also, when it comes to clinical tests, you almost never do simply control/placebo vs treatment. There are usually a few groups with various degrees of treatment.
- JshWright 10y agoNo, you start off with "we assume it does nothing". "Clinical tests" is a wide range of studies, and initially may indeed be 'simple' placebo controlled studies. If an effect is seen, then testing will be done with 'various degrees' to determine a dose response, etc.