These terms are often mistaken for one another due to their similar phrasing; however, each carries a specific meaning and serves a unique purpose within its context. The distinctions between the two are explained below.

• Clinical research is a broad term. It includes any study that involves people, even ones that don’t test treatments.
• Clinical trials are a type of clinical research. They test a new drug, device, or method to see if it works and is safe.

For example:

• A survey about sleep habits is clinical research.
• A study testing a new sleep medication is a clinical trial.

Key Note: All types of clinical research must follow strict rules to protect participants. This includes informed consent, safety monitoring, and privacy protections under HIPAA.