1.4 Clinical Trials 101

This lesson describes the intents, phases, and the criteria for clinical trial selection by research institutions. Some questions to consider while completing this lesson include: 

  • What is the intent of clinical trials? 
  • How do research institutions decide which clinical trials will open? 
  • What are the main characteristics of the different phases of clinical trials? 

Learning Objectives 

  • Identify the different phases of clinical trials 
  • Discuss how clinical trials can be used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of different types of interventions (e.g., drugs, exercise) 
  • Describe the criteria used by research centers in selecting which clinical trials should be offered  

Video Tutorial

Presented By: Paul Crispen

 Practice Assessment

Instructions: After watching the video tutorial, complete the following practice assessment. Choose the best answer for each question, and check your response for immediate feedback.

Reflection Questions

The reflection questions are meant to support your understanding of the topic and give you an opportunity to reflect about the topic based on your own individual perspectives. There are no right or wrong answers.

  • Is the topic of clinical trial new to you?
  • Did anything in the video stand out to you?
  • How did it make you feel?

Additional Resources

What Are Clinical Trials?
From the National Cancer Institute, this site offers introductory information about clinical trials, including what information is typically included in the research protocol.

Types and Phases of Clinical Trials
This site details information about how different types of trials are helpful and what is included in each phase.