Guide library

Clinical research guide library

Begin with the question you need answered. Check a study’s identity, prepare for consent, estimate the time involved, or work through a problem during participation. Each group below covers a different stage.

Find and verify

Locate an official record and confirm who runs the study before sharing personal information.

How to find clinical studies
Read a ClinicalTrials.gov record
Verify a study, recruiter, and site

Understand and consent

Learn what you could be assigned, what consent covers, and which rights and costs to discuss.

Before you join a clinical study
Trial groups, assignment, and outcomes
Choose questions by study type
Healthy volunteer study questions
Read informed consent
Use participant rights
Study-related injury and insurance

Screen and decide

Prepare accurate screening information, ask about eligibility, and compare the demands of two studies.

Prepare for screening
Understand eligibility criteria
Protect medical information
Compare two studies

Plan the workload

Calculate active hours and expenses. Arrange travel, access support, home tasks, and payment follow-up.

Estimate time and costs
Review compensation
Plan travel and schedule
Plan accessibility and caregiver support
Remote clinical trial checklist

Participant evidence

Read findings from interviews and surveys, then work through clearly labeled fictional examples.

Read what participants report
Three study decision examples

During and after a study

Manage reporting and equipment, discuss withdrawal, arrange final visits, and request results.

Manage diaries, devices, and visits
Withdraw with a plan
What to do when a study ends
Handle results and incidental findings
Look up a research term
Read common questions