What does research involve?

Clinical research is research in human volunteers designed to answer particular health-related questions. 
It is important that children have the same opportunity to access well tested and scientifically proven drugs and treatments for illness. Progression of high quality research means that this is a reality. 

Different types of clinical research

• Studies that only use information from health records.These are generally looking for statistical information that may link, for example, a disease with a location, age or medical history.
• Studies that ask you to complete a questionnaire or attend a focus group or interview. The researchers may want to find out about certain lifestyles, families or attitudes to illness or treatments.
• Studies that take measurements or collect samples.These studies often don't involve any kind of treatment and are used in genetic research and to compare one group of people with another.
• Studies that involve treatment. These are often but not always clinical trials.

What is involved?

• Coming to hospital for extra visits.
• Our Clinical Research Facility has been specially designed for people who are interested in taking part in research
• Having extra blood or tissue samples, pictures, x-rays or scans
• Studies that ask you to complete a questionnaire or attend a focus group or interview
• Being asked extra questions, or filling in questionnaires
• Taking special medicine or tablets
• Keeping a diary of activity levels, food intake or how you are feeling
• Joining a group to talk about the study

Everything you need to do for the study will be explained to you by the research team. You will be given an information leaflet to help you remember. If you don't want to do the research anymore then you can just tell a member of the research team at any time. You will still have the same care whilst you are at hospital.