Question

What is a placebo and what purpose does it serve in an​ experiment?
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Part 1
Choose the correct answer below.
A.
A placebo is a fake treatment that looks like the treatment being tested in the experiment. Placebos blind subjects so they do not know whether or not they are receiving the treatment.
B.
A placebo is a variable whose values are controlled by the experimenter. By varying the levels of the​ placebo, the experimenter can try to determine the effect on the response variable.
C.
A placebo is a combination of specific levels from all the factors that an experimental unit receives. Placebos allow the experimenter to determine the effect that different levels have on the response variable.
D.
A placebo is a baseline measurement that is applied to the control group. Placebos help the experimenter avoid confounding from different variables.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

A. A placebo is a fake treatment that looks like the treatment being tested in the experiment. Placebos blind subjects so they do not know whether or not they are receiving the treatment.

This option accurately describes what a placebo is and its purpose in an experiment, particularly in clinical trials where it helps prevent bias by ensuring that participants do not know whether they are receiving the actual treatment or a placebo.