Learn About Clinical Studies

What Is a Clinical Study?
A clinical study involves research using human volunteers (also called participants) that is intended to add to medical knowledge. There are two main types of clinical studies:
• Interventional studies
• Observational studies

Clinical Trials
In a clinical trial, participants receive specific interventions according to the research plan or protocol created by the investigators. These interventions may be medical products, such as drugs or devices; procedures; or changes to participants’ behavior, such as diet. Clinical trials may compare a new medical approach to a standard one that is already available, to a placebo that contains no active ingredients, or to no intervention.

More on Clinical Trial Education:
Glossary of Common Site Terms
Phases of Clinical Trials
Informed Consent for Clinical Trials