Resources
Guides, glossary, and answers
Step-by-step articles
Research discovery · 5 min read
How to read a study listing in five minutes
Titles, purpose, location, and timeline. What each part of a listing usually tells you.
Screening · 4 min read
What screening is, and what it is not
Screening belongs to the research site. Here is what the conversation commonly covers.
Informed consent · 6 min read
Reading a consent document without the stress
A section by section walk through of the document you receive before deciding.
Study visits · 4 min read
Preparing for a study visit day
What to bring, how to plan travel time, and how to keep track of your questions.
Study completion · 3 min read
What happens when a study ends
Follow-up, final visits, and how general results may be shared later.
Research terminology · 7 min read
A plain language research glossary
Protocol, placebo, randomized, cohort, and more, explained simply.
Research terminology
- Protocol
- The written plan that describes how a study will be run.
- Informed consent
- The process of learning about a study and voluntarily deciding whether to join.
- Eligibility criteria
- The guidelines a research site uses to decide who can take part.
- Randomized
- Volunteers are assigned to groups by chance, like a coin toss.
- Placebo
- An inactive look-alike used so researchers can compare results fairly.
- Cohort
- A group of volunteers who share something in common within a study.
- Investigator
- The person at a research site who leads the study there.
Frequently asked questions
Is Trial Steps Network a research site?
No. We are an independent information and opportunity resource. We do not run studies, screen volunteers, or enroll anyone.
Do I need to sign up for texts to use the site?
No. Every article, checklist, and the timeline are open to everyone. Text messages are fully optional.
Will submitting the contact form enroll me in a study?
No. Submitting the form shares your general interests with us. Only an independent research site can screen or enroll volunteers.
What is courtesy coordination?
If you ask for it, we can organize the general interests you shared and help with an introduction to an independent program. It requires its own separate consent and is never guaranteed.
How do I stop text messages?
Reply STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, or QUIT at any time. Reply HELP for help.
Should I talk to my own healthcare provider?
Yes. A licensed healthcare provider who knows you is the right person to help you decide whether a study is a good idea.