Question 1

Who can participate in clinical research?

Accepted Answer

Clinical research studies typically have specific inclusion and exclusion criteria that determine who can participate. These criteria may include factors such as age, gender, medical history, and current health status.

Question 2

How is participant safety protected in a clinical research study?

Accepted Answer

Clinical research studies are heavily regulated to ensure the safety of participants. Studies must be approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) before they can begin, and the research team is required to follow strict guidelines to protect participant safety. Participants will be monitored throughout the study.

Question 3

Will I be compensated for participating in a clinical research study?

Accepted Answer

Our Clinical research studies do provide compensation for participants, such as reimbursement for travel expenses and a stipend. The compensation varies depending on the study, and the research team will provide more information on this during the informed consent process.

Question 4

Can I withdraw from a clinical research study at any time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, participants have the right to withdraw from a clinical research study at any time without penalty. The research team will provide more information on this during the informed consent process.

Question 5

What should I do if I want to participate in a clinical study?

Accepted Answer

Click the "Join a study" button on our home page or call our team with the information on the contacts page (252-515-0050). They will let you know if we have any studies that you may qualify for.

Question 6

What is the difference between a clinical trial and a clinical study?

Accepted Answer

"Clinical trial" and "clinical study" are often used interchangeably, but they do have slightly different meanings in a medical research context:

1. Clinical Study: This is a broad term that refers to any type of research involving human participants that's intended to add to medical knowledge. It does not necessarily mean that a new treatment is being investigated.
2. Clinical Trial: This is a type of clinical study where participants are assigned to specific interventions, usually randomly, according to a research plan or protocol created by investigators. These interventions may be medical products, such as drugs or devices; procedures; or changes to participants' behavior, such as diet.

Clinical trials can be further divided into:
 • Interventional trials, where the researchers actively manage the test treatments, which can include medications, procedures, or lifestyle changes.
 • Observational trials, where researchers observe the participants and measure outcomes, but do not affect changes in the participants' care.

In summary, a clinical trial is a subtype of a clinical study. All clinical trials are clinical studies, but not all clinical studies are clinical trials.