Archives: Glossary

The study of body tissues and cells under a microscope.

An explanation or guess based on limited evidence that serves as a starting point for research.

In research terms, this means communicating the findings of a study to a wide range of people who might find it useful, for example, through reports, newsletter, articles published in journals, press releases, talks at conferences.

Effectiveness. The extent of the ability of an intervention (for example, a drug or surgery) to achieve the intended outcome.

The percentage of people who are alive five years after diagnosis, such as cancer.

An organisation that contributes to the project but does not usually manage the grant funding. Collaborating institutions may provide expertise, data, staff, facilities, recruitment support or access to research participants.

In research, a control is used as a baseline measure for comparison and helps scientists investigate what happens when they change something in a study. In clinical trials, control groups often serve to compare outcomes of different interventions (e.g. different treatments) to work out how well the intervention works compared to the current standard. For […]

Working with people affected by cancer or members of the broader community so their perspectives help shape research questions, study design, recruitment, communication, interpretation of results or funding decisions.

An approach where researchers and affected stakeholders work together to design a project, resource, service or process from the beginning. This may include people with lived experience, community members, clinicians, service providers, policy makers or others affected by, or involved in, the issue being addressed. Co-design aims to make the final outcome more relevant, practical […]

A facility that collects, catalogues, and stores samples of biological materials. This could include blood, urine, cancer tissue, cells, stool and others.