Commonly used data-collection approaches in clinical research

We provide an overview of the different data-collection approaches that are commonly used in carrying out clinical, public health, and translational research. We discuss several of the factors that researchers need to consider in using data collected in questionnaire surveys, from proxy informants, through the review of medical records, and in the collection of biologic samples. We hope that the points raised in this overview will lead to the collection of rich and high-quality data in observational studies and randomized controlled trials.

Keywords: Clinical research; Data-collection approaches; Observational studies.

Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interests for any of the authors on this manuscript. All authors has access to the data and a role in writing the manuscript.

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