Clinical research is a branch of healthcare science that determines the safety and effectiveness (efficacy) of medications, devices, diagnostic products and treatment regimens intended for human use. These may be used for prevention, treatment, diagnosis or for relieving symptoms of a disease.

Clinical trials are research studies performed in people that are aimed at evaluating a medical, surgical, or behavioral intervention. They are the primary way that researchers find out if a new treatment, like a new drug or diet or medical device (for example, a pacemaker) is safe and effective in people.

Working as a Clinical Research Associate (CRA) can be a very exciting job that offers great opportunities to travel, work from home, meet new people and play a pivotal role in the drug development process. Clinical Research Assistants take the lead in assisting in scientific studies by identifying subjects or clinical trials, collecting data and evaluating the results. They work at hospitals, laboratories and various research institutions.