Blind experiment

A blind — or blinded — experiment is an experiment in which information about the test is masked (kept) from the participant, to reduce or eliminate bias, until after a trial outcome is known. It is understood that bias may be intentional or unconscious, thus no dishonesty is implied by blinding. If both tester and subject are blinded, the trial is called a double-blind experiment.

Blind testing is used wherever items are to be compared without influences from testers' preferences or expectations, for example in clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of medicinal drugs and procedures without placebo effect, nocebo effect, observer bias, or conscious deception; and comparative testing of commercial products to objectively assess user preferences without being influenced by branding and other properties not being tested.

Blinding can be imposed on researchers, technicians, subjects, and funders. The opposite of a blind trial is an open trial. Blind experiments are an important tool of the scientific method, in many fields of research—medicine, psychology and the social sciences, natural sciences such as physics and biology, applied sciences such as market research, and many others. In some disciplines, such as medicinal drug testing, blind experiments are considered essential.

Double Blind

"Double Blind" is the 23rd episode of the tenth season of the American police procedural drama NCIS, and the 233rd episode overall. It originally aired on CBS in the United States on May 7, 2013. The episode is written by Christopher J. Walid and Steven D. Binder and directed by Dennis Smith, and was seen by 17.56 million viewers.

Plot

NCIS is subject to an investigation from the Department of Defense, questioning their response to the deaths of Eli David and Jackie Vance. Gibbs is accused of concealing evidence and obstruction of justice.

Production

Writing

"Double Blind" was written by Christopher J. Walid and Steven D. Binder and directed by Dennis Smith. "This episode definitely does not end well - at least not for Gibbs", Waild and Smith wrote about the episode, and continued saying "DoD IG Investigator Richard Parsons is out for Gibb’s blood – though Parsons does a brilliant job distracting our team from his goal". About the ending in the episode, Waild and Smith wrote "it’s probably a safe bet that Parson will have his work cut out for him as he continues his witch-hunt. Especially if the team dynamic that played out in this episode is any indication".