Trials usually involve lots of different people.

You 'll meet some of these people if you take part in a trial.

Some of them work behind the scenes and you won 't even see them.

The principal investigator sometimes called the chief investigator leads the study, and this is likely to be a doctor or researcher.

A research nurse or study nurse will usually look after you during the trial and collect information about you.

Sometimes this work is done by the doctor looking after you, your GP or the hospital doctor.

Scientists and researchers study your blood samples and the results of the tests.

The data manager enters this data into the computer, and the statistician will analyse the data to make sure the maths is right.

They all work together as a team to make sure the trial runs well.

A clinical trial is a type of research that tests medical or health-related treatments or procedures.

We might think one kind of treatment is better than another, but we cannot know until we compare the treatments in a trial.

For example, we might want to see if a new medicine is better than the one used at the moment...

or we might want to see whether having an operation is better than not having one.

So, clinical trials are needed to compare treatments and find out what works best...

This helps us to improve the care that we give to patients.

In a trial, one group of patients receives one treatment while another group receives a different treatment.

The decision about which treatment a patient receives is made using a method called randomisation.

All the patients then receive their treatment...

and the researchers collect information about how the patients in each group are responding to that treatment.

The results from trials help patients in the future, by finding out which treatments work best.

A clinical trial is a type of research that tests medical or health-related treatments or procedures.

We might think one kind of treatment is better than another, but we cannot know until we compare the treatments in a trial.

For example, we might want to see if a new medicine is better than the one used at the moment...

or we might want to see whether having an operation is better than not having one.

So, clinical trials are needed to compare treatments and find out what works best...

This helps us to improve the care that we give to patients.

In a trial, one group of patients receives one treatment while another group receives a different treatment.

The decision about which treatment a patient receives is made using a method called randomisation.

All the patients then receive their treatment...

and the researchers collect information about how the patients in each group are responding to that treatment.

The results from trials help patients in the future, by finding out which treatments work best.

A trial is a way to test something. So, a medical trial can be used to test treatments.

For example, if a new medicine is better than what is used at the moment…or how safe a treatment is.

Trials can be different sizes, from a single set of patients in one city, to patients all over the country and abroad, in many research centres.

Usually in a trial, some patients receive one treatment while others receive another.

The decision about which patients receive which treatment, is usually made by computer.

This is called randomisation. So the patient, nurse or doctor don 't make the decision.

Randomisation means each treatment is given to a similar mix of patients to make sure the results are not due to anything else, like their age or where they live.

Usually the patient, nurse or doctor will only find out which treatment a patient has received at the end of the trial.

A trial is a way to test something. So, a medical trial can be used to test treatments.

For example, if a new medicine is better than what is used at the moment…or how safe a treatment is.

Trials can be different sizes, from a single set of patients in one city, to patients all over the country and abroad, in many research centres.

Usually in a trial, some patients receive one treatment while others receive another.

The decision about which patients receive which treatment, is usually made by computer.

This is called randomisation. So the patient, nurse or doctor don 't make the decision.

Randomisation means each treatment is given to a similar mix of patients to make sure the results are not due to anything else, like their age or where they live.

Usually the patient, nurse or doctor will only find out which treatment a patient has received at the end of the trial.

Medical care and treatment can only be given to you if you and your parents give consent.

That means you agree to it.

And you can only give consent properly if you understand the treatment and what will happen to you. You may need to ask questions and take time to decide.

Consent is also needed for medical research, such as a trial. A trial cannot include you unless the trial has been explained to you and you agree voluntarily.

That means you have the right to say yes or no, and you make your decision without any pressure.

Your parents will consent for you if you are aged under 16 years. Just as they make some other decisions about you. And because your views are important the people working on the trial will also tell you about it.

Then if you agree to take part you would sign a form. This is called giving assent.