Archives: Glossary
Translational research aims to bring results obtained in a laboratory or theoretical setting (basic research) into practice, e.g. into the clinic. Reverse translation is when scientists notice something important in cancer patients, like why a treatment works well for some people but not others, and then go back to the lab to study it more […]
Adjuvant therapy is extra treatment given after the main treatment, such as surgery, to help lower the risk of cancer coming back. Even if the visible tumour is removed, tiny cancer cells might still be hiding in the body – and adjuvant therapy helps to find and destroy them. See neo-adjuvant therapy.
Research that focuses on descriptive data and individual observations rather than numerical data to obtain the results.
Research that uses numerical data and statistical analysis to quantify the relationship between variables. For example, will Drug A cause improve the overall survival of patients than Drug B?
A method used by researchers to identify, analyse and combine the findings of many studies in a rigorous way.
Research that takes place before any testing in humans is done (i.e. before clinical trials). Preclinical studies may study if a drug, procedure, or treatment is likely to work. These studies are conducted in a lab setting and may be in vitro or in vivo.
Research looking at the emotional, psychological and social factors that can influence disease prevention and risk but also researches the effects of disease in these areas and how people can be helped through supportive care measures.
The study of drugs and how they can be used to treat diseases. A branch of pharmacology is toxicology, which is the study of the harmful effects of chemicals (including drugs) on living systems and how to prevent or reduce these effects.
A small test project that is carried out to see whether an idea or hypothesis may have any merit before being taken forward into larger studies.
The study of methods to promote the adoption and integration of evidence-based practices and interventions into routine health care and public health settings, to improve our impact on population health. Evidence-based practice: Making healthcare or public health decisions using the best available research evidence, together with professional expertise and the needs and preferences of the […]