LessWrong (Curated & Popular) “Intention to Treat” by Alicorn
Mar 22, 2025
A parent's journey through a vision study reveals the trials of compliance when dealing with a young child. Frustrations abound as glasses get lost frequently, raising questions about the unpredictable nature of human behavior in research. The narrative dives into the complexities of experimental protocols, highlighting the balance between intention and reality. It’s a touching reflection on both the challenges of parenting and the meticulous nature of scientific studies.
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Vision Study Anecdote
- Ali Korn's three-year-old son participated in a vision study requiring an eye patch.
- Despite non-compliance, including lost glasses and sensors, the study considered their protocol effective.
Intention to Treat
- Real-world application of protocols must account for human error and non-compliance.
- The "intention to treat" principle acknowledges imperfect adherence in assessing effectiveness.
Protocol Design Advice
- Consider "intention to treat" when designing protocols for humans or chaotic systems.
- Build robustness against attrition, harm, and error through tolerance or system design.