Classical experiments seek to measure the causal effects of treatment variables on response variables through random assignment of subjects to experimental groups and through the manipulation of the treatment variables; sometimes referred to as “laboratory experiments” because of the high degree of control over settings and are commonly used in psychology and related disciplines and in clinical settings, law and other professions. Studies that do not permit high levels of control are generally known as “Quasi-experiments” and are generally used in field settings such as schools and other institutions.

Classical experiments create situations as close to real as possible. Quasi-experiments compensate for lack of controls through matching, placement and withdrawal of treatments, and statistical analysis. An example of an application of ProtoGenie for a classical experiment in vision science is the study of the effects of different types of room illumination and wall coloring on reading performance. This list shows example Classical and Quasi-Experiments.

Clinical trials are studies that follow selected individuals forward in time from a pre-set baseline, some receiving an intervention and some not. Typically, such studies measure the effects of medical interventions, including therapeutic agents, devices, regimens, and procedures. They are most commonly used in medical, pharmaceutical, and public health research. A major part of the design of clinical trials is usually the provision of mechanisms and procedures for maximizing and assessing “compliance,” as in taking a medication daily in the prescribed amount at the prescribed times. An example of an application of ProtoGenie in clinical trials in vision science is a test of the efficacy of sustained-release, intraocular implants that deliver ganciclovir in the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Typically, this study would involve one or more control groups that receive another intervention or a placebo. This list shows example Clinical Trials.

Whitepaper on FDA Compliance for Clinical Trial Software.