In a double-blind experiment, neither the researchers or the human test subjects know if they are receiving the tested medication or just a placebo (a harmless substance). This eliminates any bias by either the subject (who may psychologically influence his condition) or the experimenter (who may otherwise see effects that are not due to the treatment). While there are logistical and ethical questions that make double-blind experiments difficult, the ultimate aim is to definitively establish whether a drug or treatment actually works.
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