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The National Institutes of Health definition of clinical research is:

Patient-oriented research: This type of research involves a particular person or group of people or uses materials from humans. This research can include:

  • Studies of mechanisms of human disease
  • Studies of therapies or interventions for disease
  • Clinical trials or clinical research studies (see About Clinical Trials for more details)
  • Studies to develop new technology related to disease

Epidemiological and behavioral studies: These types of studies examine the distribution of disease, the factors that affect health, and how people make health-related decisions.

Outcomes and health services research: These studies seek to identify the most effective and most efficient interventions, treatments, and services.