Finding a research study can be a problem for many generous potential volunteers. We hope to help with your search by providing links to some of the ongoing local research (in the box at the right of this page) and by giving you directions (below) for the use of a national website listing called Clinicaltrials.gov.

Using ClinicalTrials.gov

ClinicalTrials.gov can be used to locate clinical trials anywhere in the United States, many studies are registered, even if the trial is not sponsored (paid for) by the federal government.

Performing a search to locate clinical trials at OSU and Nationwide Children’s Hospital using ClinicalTrials.gov is most successful when the search is very thorough. Searching for studies that are involved in the CCTS at OSU can be best achieved by searching for more than just 'Ohio State University.'

Narrowing a search by putting 'Ohio State University AND Columbus' in the search field can help to make the results much more specific. (View an example of what this looks like.) Another approach might be to combine the 'Ohio State University AND Columbus AND diabetes' or another area which may be of interest.

Using these techniques will return more specific results, and should help to find research studies that would be relevant to certain geographic areas or research institutions.

When looking for a specific disease or condition, also consider common abbreviations for well known diseases, such as 'HCL' (Harry Cell Leukemia) or 'ALS' (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).

Performing an advanced search can help to narrow the search even further, by limiting the search to studies that are currently recruiting or ones that are looking for healthy volunteers or diabetic patients. (View an example of what this looks like.)

A successful search will list a number of important things. First, it shows how many studies were found. Second, under the ‘Status’ column, it shows which studies are actively recruiting and which have been completed. Third, it gives the name of every trial that is returned. (View an example of a successful search and how to read the results.)

In the search results, find and click on the title of a study that is of interest and currently recruiting.

The detailed description of the research study includes eligibility requirements (remember that many studies need healthy volunteers as well as participants with certain medical conditions/criteria) and a section called Contacts and Locations. Here is where the necessary information to get involved (contact emails and research study locations) is found. (View an example of where to find Contact Information in a study description.)

Finding clinical studies for children: At the bottom of the advanced search form there is a section called Additional Criteria. Locate the checkbox for 'Age Group' and check 'child'. This will restrict the search for pediatric or child-related studies. (View an example of where to find this.)

Perform a ClinicalTrials.gov search now.