What is ClinicalTrials.gov?
ClinicalTrials.gov is a database maintained by the United States government that records clinical trials supported by the public and private sectors. This platform is managed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
This platform contains information about ongoing and completed clinical trials. Researchers can register their studies here, update them, and even publish their results and related documents.
Organizations such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) require that clinical trials be publicly registered and their results published.
Why Should I Register on ClinicalTrials.gov?
Researchers have an ethical responsibility to share the results of their studies with the public, regardless of whether they are positive, negative, or inconclusive. Registering on this platform fulfills this responsibility and serves several important purposes:
- Public Information: It allows patients and the public to learn what research is being conducted and whether they can participate in it.
- Ensuring Transparency: It prevents selective publication or reporting of research.
- Efficient Use of Resources: It prevents unnecessary duplication of research and helps ensure more efficient use of research funds.
- Supporting the Ethical Review Process: It facilitates access for ethics committees to similar studies and data related to the research they are evaluating.
- Understanding the Context of Studies: It helps editors and other experts better understand the background of published study results.
How Can I Create an Account?
If you are the Principal Investigator of a clinical trial, you must register your study through the Protocol Registration and Outcomes System (PRS). To create a user account or appoint an authorized person to manage the registration process, you must contact the İstinye University PRS Administrator.
You should send your account requests from your institutional email address to kutuphane@istinye.edu.tr. Please note that accounts created using personal email addresses not belonging to İstinye University will be closed.