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The mission of the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science is to support scientific education, critical thinking and evidence-based understanding of the natural world in the quest to overcome religious fundamentalism, superstition, intolerance and suffering.
The Magic of Reality
for the iPad
Sean Faircloth:
Attack of the Theocrats!
jinmane asks:
"I'm probably being really dumb here, but I don't quite understand why the control samples need to be shaken."
I understand it is standard in any kind of double-blind test as RD suggests here, that both groups must be handled in exactly the same way. Those taking part in the various stages on the experiment will not be aware which is the control group (that's why it is double-blind). The object is to eliminate any possibility that those running the experiment may give away which group is which, even subconsciously by body language or voice intonation.
Permalink Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:34:00 UTC | #443731