[Moller] [EXTERNAL] Re: Blind analysis in Physics experiments: Is this trip necessary?

[Krishna Kumar]

No, is my vote. 

Especially since PVES is uniquely positioned to study the main systematics blinded without any serious compromise. This is not true in many other experimental techniques/measurements.

Happy Thanksgiving. 

KK

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 23, 2023, at 9:23 AM, Jay Benesch via Moller <moller at jlab.org> wrote:
> 
> Given the systematic error requirement, perhaps the collaboration should think about doing the first run unblinded to make studying them easier.  First ten percent?
> 
> 
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com_-3Furl-3Dhttps-253A-252F-252Farxiv.org-252Fabs-252F2311.13542-26data-3D05-257C01-257Ckkumar-2540physics.umass.edu-257Cce68f51dde0645dd121708dbec2fb6e7-257C7bd08b0b33954dc194bbd0b2e56a497f-257C0-257C0-257C638363461898558035-257CUnknown-257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0-253D-257C3000-257C-257C-257C-26sdata-3DG-252BQRWwx1ZwKt-252Fq-252BkO6rbRQ5GxnxtZ-252F9icxygwvQkwA8-253D-26reserved-3D0&d=DwIFaQ&c=CJqEzB1piLOyyvZjb8YUQw&r=k2-3YiXM4PG72x9M5ma_2Q&m=GGeVVvomrqJ2AF52wDJkayzJrOu3LDOqTT7CY9SIJPHDuFqjdzld5S5COSOTQ4jL&s=0Qo79O_r0nTxMxW2HnMyZWl_C85YmxmuOiS-LmwlmHA&e= 
> 
> Robert Golub
> 
>    Based on the work of Klein and Roodman we present an alternate conclusion as to the charm of blind analysis in physics experiments.
> 
> Discussion
> 
> Based on the paper by Klein and Roodman [2] written in support of the use
> of blind analysis in physics experiments we have attempted to show that the
> method, introduced into science by medical researchers to solve a real problem,
> has little place in physics research, since, as the authors admit there is surprisingly
> little evidence for experimenter bias in physics research even taking into
> account the cases cited by Feynman [1] and Galison [3]. and the introduction of
> the technique has real costs in both the ability to study systematic errors that
> are often unknown at the planning stage of the experiment and come to light
> during the measurement and analysis and the ability to follow up unexpected
> results which may only show up after opening the box.
> 
> The experience in medical research has shown that even double blind analysis
> is not sufficient to avoid experimental bias when the experimenters are
> really determined. Physicists on the other hand still have the ability to follow
> the advice of my mentor, Prof Gerrold R. Zacharias who often repeated the
> statement that experimental physics was really all about Character.
> 
> [2] Klein, J. and Roodman, A. ’Blind analysis in nuclear and particle physics’
> Ann. Rev. Nucl. Part. Sci. 55, 141-63, (2005)
> _______________________________________________
> Moller mailing list
> Moller at jlab.org
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com_-3Furl-3Dhttps-253A-252F-252Fmailman.jlab.org-252Fmailman-252Flistinfo-252Fmoller-26data-3D05-257C01-257Ckkumar-2540physics.umass.edu-257Cce68f51dde0645dd121708dbec2fb6e7-257C7bd08b0b33954dc194bbd0b2e56a497f-257C0-257C0-257C638363461898558035-257CUnknown-257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0-253D-257C3000-257C-257C-257C-26sdata-3DYza0HnQH2gVMzAW-252F9pAD-252FXhQT1QhFTE3Nhw-252FRVvokGU-253D-26reserved-3D0&d=DwIFaQ&c=CJqEzB1piLOyyvZjb8YUQw&r=k2-3YiXM4PG72x9M5ma_2Q&m=GGeVVvomrqJ2AF52wDJkayzJrOu3LDOqTT7CY9SIJPHDuFqjdzld5S5COSOTQ4jL&s=eyNfNyX1fJWd8ynaSKl0NHdZoKgCXu6GH9x_n5UW1Qw&e=