| blinded study | Clinical trials of drugs are often done blinded so that the patient does not know (is blinded as to) whether they are receiving the product being tested or the control/placebo to ensure that the results of a study are not affected by a possible placebo effect (by the power of suggestion). (12 Dec 1998) |
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| blind study | A study in which the experimenter is unaware of which group is subject to which procedure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| case-control study | <epidemiology> A study in which the risk factors of people with a disease are compared with those without a disease. It is an epidemiological method that begins by identifying persons with the disease or condition of interest (the cases) and compares their past history of exposure to identified or suspected risk factors with the past history of similar exposures among persons who resemble the cases but do not have the disease or condition of interest (the controls). The relationship of an attribute to the disease can therefore be examined by comparing affected and non-affected individuals with regard to the frequency or levels of the attribute in each group. (05 May 2002) |
| retrospective study | <epidemiology> A study in which people are enrolled and then have their history of risks, infections or disease measured. (05 Dec 1998) |
| rosenzweig picture-frustration study | A projective test depicting cartoon-like characters in frustrating situations. The scoring of the subject's responses indicates the direction of hostility or aggression, that is, whether he blames himself, the other person, or the set of circumstances. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cohort study | A study using epidemiological methods, such as a clinical trial, in which a cohort with a particular attribute (e.g., smokers, recipients of a drug) is followed prospectively and compared for some outcome (e.g., disease, cure) with another cohort not possessing the attribute. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pioped study | <radiology> 251 patients with documented PE on pulmonary angiograms were given V/Q scans: 102 high probability, 105 intermediate probability, 39 low probability, 5 normal or near-normal (12 Dec 1998) |
| multicenter study | A controlled study executed by several cooperating institutions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| multigeneration study | Toxicity test in which at least 3 generations of the test organisms are exposed to the substance being assessed. Exposure is usually continuous. Any medical study which follows a family of people through several generations. (09 Oct 1997) |
| crossover study | <statistics> A study that compares two or more treatments or interventions in which the subjects or patients, upon completion of the course of one treatment, are switched to another. Usually refers to a study in which the subject is switched from the experimental to the control procedure (or vice versa). In the case of two treatments, a and b, half the subjects are randomly allocated to receive these in the order a, b and half to receive them in the order b, a. A criticism of this design is that effects of the first treatment may carry over into the period when the second is given. With this type of study, every patient serves as his or her own control. (21 Jun 2000) |
| cross-sectional study | <epidemiology> A study in which the presence or absence of disease or other health-related variables are determined in each member of the study population or in a representative sample at one particular time. This contrasts with longitudinal studies which are followed over a period of time. Synonym: horizontal study. (18 Jul 2002) |
| preclinical study | A study to test a drug, procedure or other medical treatment in animals. The aim is to collect data in support of safety. Preclinical studies are required before clinical trials can be started. (12 Dec 1998) |
| prospective study | <epidemiology> A study in which people are initially enrolled and then followed up at subsequent times. (05 Dec 1998) |
| study | 1. To apply the mind to; to read and examine for the purpose of learning and understanding; as, to study law or theology; to study languages. 2. To consider attentively; to examine closely; as, to study the work of nature. "Study thyself; what rank or what degree The wise Creator has ordained for thee." (Dryden) 3. To form or arrange by previous thought; to con over, as in committing to memory; as, to study a speech. 4. To make an object of study; to aim at sedulously; to devote one's thoughts to; as, to study the welfare of others; to study variety in composition. "For their heart studieth destruction." (Prov. Xxiv. 2) Origin: OE. Studie, L. Studium, akin to studere to study; possibly akin to Gr. Haste, zeal, to hasten; cf. OF. Estudie, estude, F. Etude. Cf. Etude, Student, Studio, Study, v. I. 1. A setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject; hence, application of mind to books, arts, or science, or to any subject, for the purpose of acquiring knowledge. "Hammond . . . Spent thirteen hours of the day in study." (Bp. Fell) "Study gives strength to the mind; conversation, grace." (Sir W. Temple) 2. Mental occupation; absorbed or thoughtful attention; meditation; contemplation. "Just men they seemed, and all their study bent To worship God aright, and know his works." (Milton) 3. Any particular branch of learning that is studied; any object of attentive consideration. "The Holy Scriptures, especially the new Testament, are her daily study." (Law) "The proper study of mankind is man." (Pope) 4. A building or apartment devoted to study or to literary work. "His cheery little study." 5. A representation or rendering of any object or scene intended, not for exhibition as an original work of art, but for the information, instruction, or assistance of the maker; as, a study of heads or of hands for a figure picture. 6. A piece for special practice. See Etude. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| study, crossover | A type of clinical trial in which the study subjects receive each treatment in a random order. In this type of study, every patient serves as his or her own control. (12 Dec 1998) |