About Clinical Studies

The About Clinical 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 Clinical Studies

Read a brief introduction to clinical research, including types of studies and what happens during a study. Find information on 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 Clinical Studies

Find links from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for information 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.