Research trials carried out by CROs like Veristat introduce the main concepts of the clinical trials. As such, these trials help introduce the research perspective, topic areas, and focus as well as the research methods. During the research trials, you will develop the research topics and the research statements, and even define the possible research questions.
You may have clear research questions at this stage but you’re uncertain about the best strategy to implement and address those questions. To simplify the process for you, here’s a look at some of the research strategies you can adopt when working with a Clinical Research Organization to implement your trials.
Case Study
This strategy mainly focuses on an in-depth focus of a single case or a small number of people. In some cases, a case study strategy involves the investigation of a single organization. With this strategy, you will sort information from different sources and through different means. You will need to get different types of data through surveys, observation, analysis of documents, and interviews. With a case study strategy, the data can either be qualitative or quantitative or a mix of the two. Doing case studies allows you to hold a multi-faceted investigation on a problem or issue during your research.
Qualitative Interviews
Types of qualitative interviews include structured, unstructured, and semi-structured. Qualitative interviews are the most common method for gathering data. When using qualitative interviews, you’ll have access to rich information. However, you’ll find out that you need extensive planning when it comes to the decision of whom to interview and the structure of the interview. You also need to figure out if you will hold individual interviews or group interviews. You also need to know how you will record the interviews as well as how you will analyze them. Some characteristics your interviewees must have include great social skills, great communication skills as well as excellent listening skills. Interviews are time-consuming and in some cases prone to be biased. Therefore, it’s advisable that you minimize the possibility of being biased during the design stage or ignore them completely if you can.
Quantitative Survey
This method is common in a big organization or instance where you need to collect data from a large group of people. Nowadays there are online sites that allow for wide and inexpensive distribution of surveys and better organization of the responses. Looking at the questions on the questionnaire, you’ll note that it’s quite easy to get the needed information. However, these questions need to follow some rules. Quantitative surveys are great for the initial research trial stages due to their level of accuracy.
The strategy you choose when implementing your research trials is purely dependent on the nature of the research you need to undertake. Even then, it is important that you choose a strategy that will give you the most accurate results. And when necessary, be sure to avoid a strategy that will result in biased findings and only focus on gathering accurate information for your research trial.