Study planning consultation can benefit an investigator in many different ways. Most problems in research result from poor design rather than poor analysis.
Study planning and implementation issues may include:
- Choosing type of study (case-control, cohort, trial, etc)
- Sampling strategy, selection of controls
- Design of survey instruments
- Identification of existing databases
- Measurement, quality control
- Randomization and blinding schemes
- Recruitment, retention, and logistical issues
- Coordination of multiple centers
- Budgeting
- Data and safety monitoring
- Data collection strategies
- Data management strategies
Ethical issues can include:
- Recruitment
- Informed consent
- Confidentiality
- Clinical trial issues (including randomization, use of placebo)
- Special populations (including children, prisoners, impaired decision-making)
- Working in resource-poor countries
- Payment of participants
- Sensitive conditions (including HIV infection, injection drug use, major psychiatric illness)
- Other ethical issues
For more information, contact us.