Question

Design a randomized comparative experiments to test whether fluoxetine is effective at reducing depression. the participants are 100 people suffering from depression and the response variable is the change on a standard questionnaire measuring level of depression.
Describe how randomization will be used in the design
Describe how the placebo will be used
Describe how to make the experiment double blind

Answer 1

(i)

A randomized comparative experiments to test whether fluoxetine is effective at reducing depression. is designed as follows:

Out of the 100 participants, allocate 50 participants randomly to each of the following 2 mutually exclusive groups:

Experimental group: the 50 participants allocated to this group will receive fluoxetine

Control group: the 50 participants allocated to this group will receive placebo, which will be looking like fluoxetin

A standard questionnaire measuring level of depression. will be conducted on all the participants before and after treatment and the significance of the change on a standard questionnaire measuring level of depression. will be done by hypothesis testing to test whether fluoxetine is effective at reducing depression.

(ii)

Randomization will be used in the design in allocating 50 participants randomly to each of the 2 groups by making use of statistical random number generator.

(iii)

The placebo will be used in the Control Group in order to test whether fluoxetine is effective at reducing depression by controlling any confounding variables.

(iv)

The experiment can be made double blind by ensuring both the experimenter as well as each one of the 50 participants will know which one of the 2 mutually exclusive groups:he will be included by making the allocation process done by a statistician.