The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Human Research Protections has created a series of short videos with basic information about research. These videos are intended to help potential participants understand how research works, what questions they should consider asking, and things to think about when deciding whether to participate in a study.
Research with Children: What Parents Need to Know
Video (7:13)
This video provides basic information about scientific research, the goals of research, and discusses how clinical research differs from medical care. (3:00)
This video discusses types of human research with a focus on clinical trials, and explains common terms that potential participants should know. (4:20)
This video emphasizes that participating in research is voluntary and encourages potential participants to ask questions and get the information they need to decide whether to participate. (4:44)
Explaining Randomization in Clinical Trials
This video explains the concept of randomization in research studies and what potential participants need to know when volunteering for a study with a randomized design. (7:25)
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)
This video explains the concept of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), which review certain research studies involving human volunteers to ensure that the studies meet ethical standards and regulatory requirements. (6:45)
Participating in Social & Behavioral Health Research
This video provides basic information about social and behavioral health research and what makes it different from clinical research. (6:05)
Research Use of Information and Samples from Patient Care
This video provides basic information about research use of information and biological samples from clinical care. (5:16)
How is Medical Research Different from Medical Care?
This video explores the basic differences between medical research and medical care to help you make the right decision about whether to join a medical research study. (5:43)
