Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Certified Professional Practice Exam

What is the purpose of masking in clinical trials?

1. To improve data collection

2. To ensure unbiased assessment of outcomes

3. To reduce the sample size

4. To determine the study’s primary variable

The correct answer is: To ensure unbiased assessment of outcomes

Masking, commonly referred to as blinding, plays a crucial role in clinical trials by ensuring unbiased assessment of outcomes. The process involves keeping certain information hidden from participants and, in some cases, from the researchers themselves. By doing so, it minimizes the risk of bias that can arise from participants’ expectations or researchers’ influences on the study results. When participants are unaware of which treatment they are receiving, their behavior and reporting of outcomes can be more objective, as they are less likely to be swayed by their knowledge of the treatment. Similarly, when researchers who assess outcomes do not know which participants are in which group, they are less likely to inadvertently influence the results or their interpretation. This precise control helps uphold the integrity of the data collected and enhances the reliability of the conclusions drawn from the study. The other choices, while important in the context of clinical trials, do not specifically capture the primary role of masking. Improving data collection relates more to methodologies and tools rather than the concept of masking. Reducing sample size and determining a study’s primary variable do not directly involve masking practices. Therefore, the focus on unbiased outcome assessment distinctly highlights the purpose of masking in clinical trials.