Observation & tracking
Observational trials are a type of clinical research where researchers observe participants and track health outcomes over time without assigning treatments or interventions (i.e., potential treatments).
Observational studies can help researchers understand how effective a treatment is in real-world settings, or show trends in survival and complications.
Participation: Observational studies can be less time-consuming than other types of studies, and participants can often be involved in more than one at a time. Participation may involve filling out a questionnaire or providing a blood sample.
Data collection: Researchers may collect medical history, exposure, clinical data, biospecimens, or images from participants.
Funding: Most observational studies are funded by non-industry sources, such as the National Institutes of Health, academic organizations, or nonprofits.
Reliability: The results of observational studies are considered reliable when patient selection and design are carefully considered.