About Clinical Studies

The About Studies section of this site provides a brief overview of clinical research, information for potential clinical study participants, and a glossary of common words used on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Learn About Studies

Read a brief introduction to clinical research, including information on types of studies and what happens during a study. Find information about eligibility to participate in a study, risks and benefits of study participation, the informed consent process, and questions to ask when considering whether to participate in a study.

Other Sites About Studies

Find links to information provided by the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration about clinical studies, drug development, and other health care issues.

Glossary of Common Site Terms

Access a glossary providing definitions for many of the words used on ClinicalTrials.gov.