3 ms·
For that, they would have needed a control group that took placebo pills. They can estimate the likely behavior of such a group from other trials, but it's not
by dTal 5y ago
For that, they would have needed a control group that took placebo pills. They can estimate the likely behavior of such a group from other trials, but it's not a rigorous experiment unless they do it themselves, carefully controlling all the other possible variables.
- csee 5y agoAssuming methods were the same, the first study was the control.
- dTal 5y agoYou can't do that, I'm afraid. Too many uncontrolled variables still. What if placebo rates change seasonally? Also, you cannot properly double blind the test - the experimenters all know about the prior study, and know which cohort they are treating. To be fair, your attitude is quite common in cash-strapped university departments - but it leads to bad science.
- HWR_14 5y agoYou couldn't double blind that study, it would be obvious which treatment group people are in.