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QPS Blog

Learn more about clinical resarch studies – and how your participation makes a difference.

Clinical Research Study Design 101

  • QPS Missouri
  • October 12, 2021
  • Clinical Research Studies

Clinical research studies aim to improve the medical community’s understanding of various new medical devices and medications, whether those are as complex as cutting-edge drug therapies or as simple as improved blood sugar monitors. But for a trial to be effective, the actual design of the study needs to reflect its unique aims and objectives. Before you enroll in a clinical research study, you might ask yourself: How are these studies designed, and how does that impact study outcomes? Read on to find out more about the basics of clinical research study study design.

Close-up-of-medical-professional-writing-on-paper-looking-at-laptop

Exploring the Basics of clinical research study Design

Types of Clinical Research Studies

To understand clinical research study study design, we must first explore the different types of clinical research studies:

Experimental

When you think of clinical research studies, you probably picture experimental studies. In these studies, patients are assigned to either an experimental group or control group. The control group receives a placebo treatment (a substance that has no therapeutic effect), while the experimental group receives the treatment being tested. Double-blind randomized research studies are considered the “gold standard” of experimental research studies, as they offer the highest level of protection against unintentional researcher bias. In double-blind randomized experimental research studies, neither the patients nor the researchers know which patients are receiving the placebo treatment.

Observational

Unlike experimental studies, observational studies do not involve randomization. Instead, the researcher commits to observing the results of the trial – hence the term “observational study” – without intervening by assigning specific test groups. There are two types of observational studies: analytical and descriptive. Analytical studies explore the relationship between an outcome and a variable – for example, lower blood pressure in patients who may have received a new treatment. Descriptive studies, however, focus on information like patient demographics, disease history, and treatment history to develop a clearer picture of a treatment’s potential impact.

clinical research study Design Considerations

So, how do researchers choose a certain clinical research study design? The study design process involves a variety of different factors. First, researchers must work to reduce bias as much as possible, especially in studies that involve patient reflection. For example, if patients are asked to recall the last time they experienced a certain symptom, that can impact the efficacy of a trial. In these cases, researchers may opt for a more quantitatively controlled trial to ensure accurate data. Researchers also have to take several more practical considerations into account. For example, some studies might explore seasonal issues like allergies, cold and flu, or Seasonal Affective Disorder. In these cases, researchers would obviously need to design a study that takes place during a specific time of year – winter, in the case of cold and flu or Seasonal Affective Disorder.

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An effective clinical research study can have groundbreaking effects on human health, improving healthcare outcomes in meaningful ways. However, flaws in study design can negatively affect trial data. For this reason, researchers must carefully design each study to best serve the patients involved, as well as the proposed research outcomes.

Have you ever thought about participating in a clinical research study? You could be a part of history! QPS Missouri is looking for new participants. Since opening its doors in 1994, QPS Missouri has conducted over 1,000 FDA-regulated studies, paying out over $35 million to local participants. Your local participation could have a global impact, as QPS is an international leader in contract research with facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia. Our mission is to accelerate the development of drugs worldwide by enabling breakthroughs in pharmaceutical innovation. This includes several pediatric studies across several age ranges. If you would like to join us in this crucial healthcare mission, consider applying for a clinical research study.

To get started, you simply need to fill out an online application. After that, within 48 business hours, a recruiting coordinator will contact you for your pre-screening assessment. To learn more, please visit the QPS Missouri website, review the study participation process, or check out our list of frequently asked questions.

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