Perhaps I am just lacking in imagination, but I am trying without success to
envision the double-blinding procedure for a study of comforting techniques
to be carried out by parents.  Harvey Karp reports that a double-blinded
study of the five S's, funded by the NIH, is underway.
Single-blinding means that EITHER the observer OR the participant is unaware
of whether a given participant is in the experimental group or the control
group of a study.  Double blinding means that both participant and observer
are unaware of group placement.
How can someone be unaware of whether they are using a specific set of
techniques, or not?  Is the control group using bogus comforting techniques,
and if so, how on earth did they get that one past the ethical review
process?
I would appreciate it if anyone here can enlighten us on this.  I would
appreciate it all the more if the response were free of promotional mention
of any products for sale by any subscribers on Lactnet, in accordance with
our guidelines.  If you have only recently subscribed you may not have taken
the time to read the welcome message thoroughly, and we strongly recommend
that you do so before posting.

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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