Question
I wanted to know how the hospital and/or school selects it’s research candidates. I have read several articles about some of the research performed. I would like to know if there are any programs or researchers in my area looking for weight loss canidates.
Answer
Researchers first decide on the scientific question they would like to study and find the answer to. Sometimes it involves whether a drug or therapy will be effective for a certain condition. Sometimes it is a study on the frequency or complication of a certain disease. The researchers then design the study. It is called a protocol. The researchers often have to apply for grants (from the NIH or foundations such as the Arthritis Foundation) to pay for the study. If the study involves patients, it has to also be reviewed by a review board to make sure that the patients are treated fairly and responsibly. Then patients are recruited according to the guidelines in the protocol.
To look for studies, look on websites of the NIH and local universities. Studies are often advertised in the newspaper and newspapers often have a classifed ad section. There is a website called Centerwatch that may list reasearch centers in your area.
