Term Time
Research – is a systematic investigation designed to discover, develop or contribute to knowledge. Scientific research uses methods for collecting data or evidence through observation or experiments. Medical Research is research done to advance or expand knowledge in the field of medicine.
Clinical Research – research that is patient oriented; may explore any aspect of health or healthcare and often explores ways to diagnose illness, prevent disease or tests new treatments.
Basic Science Research – this type of research is exploratory and driven by the researcher’s quest to identify or solve some basic or fundamental theory. The results or answers found from basic research may have applications or lead to further scientific quests. Often these types of studies are often done in laboratories. Applied research takes the basic findings and applies them to some other use, additional question or further experimentation including clinical testing.
Translational Research is medical research that links questions and findings from basic science research more directly to patient care. The objective is to keep the stream of discovery, inquiry and knowledge flowing from basic to clinical scientist and back in an effort to advance healthcare. A discovery in a lab may be help doctors in treating patients and in turn those doctors make observations when treating patients that may further stimulate basic science experiments. The UK Center for Clinical & Translational Science exists to provide all the elements needed to connect the dots between science, research and medicine.