Blindbedømmelse

Blindbedømmelse, often translated as blind evaluation or blind review, is a methodological approach used to minimize bias in assessments or judgments. In this process, the identity or specific characteristics of the item or individual being evaluated are concealed from the evaluator. This is done to ensure that the assessment is based solely on the objective merits of the work or performance, rather than on preconceived notions, reputation, or personal relationships.

The principle behind blindbedømmelse is that removing identifying information prevents subjective factors from influencing the outcome. For example, in academic publishing, peer review is often conducted as blindbedømmelse, where reviewers are unaware of the authors' identities. This aims to prevent bias based on the author's institution, gender, or past work. Similarly, in competitions, such as music or art contests, blind auditions or blind judging can be employed to focus attention on the quality of the performance or creation itself.

The effectiveness of blindbedømmelse can vary depending on the degree of blinding. Single-blind refers to a situation where either the participant or the researcher is unaware of the group allocation. Double-blind means that neither the participant nor the researcher knows who is in which group. Triple-blind extends this to include the data analysts as well. While blindbedømmelse is a powerful tool for reducing bias, it is not always feasible or sufficient to eliminate all potential influences.