
In this article, Basic Science Editor Sloka Iyengar PhD answers questions about clinical research, including how its conducted and what steps are taken to keep participants' information safe and private. She also suggests questions you might ask if you are considering participating in a clinical trial. Learn more about clinical trials and access our clinical trials database.
Each trial and each person in it is unique. There may be special considerations for each trial and for each person participating. Understanding what will happen during the study is important. Here is a list of questions you might ask the doctor, scientist, or the study coordinator (the person at the hospital or the clinic who facilitates the clinical trial):