Clinical Research: Thinking it through

Introduction

So, you’ve got an idea for clinical research. Great! Now for some brainwork! Is your idea meaningful? Answering this question leads to other questions.

How valid is your idea? Has anyone come up with it before you? If so, how was it developed? If work has already been carried out, is it worth recreating the wheel? How about from a different approach? How likely are you to succeed?

Will the idea provide new information? Is it worthwhile? Does it meet ethical standards? Will it answer the needs of the people concerned?

In answering these questions, you will be able to gradually adjust your initial idea to the point of setting a protocol, from which you can launch your research and begin actual work.