Intent |
To generate potentially generalisable new knowledge or hypotheses |
To assess the current standard of care against a specified target |
To define or improve the current standard of care |
Question |
Tests hypotheses or clearly defined questions where there is no or limited research evidence |
Are we reaching a specified, evidence based standard of care? |
What standard do we achieve? Can we improve efficacy or efficiency? |
Aims |
Compares interventions
Typically involves new treatments, indications or populations
|
Relates to interventions already in use |
Relates to interventions already in use
May include local introduction of an intervention used elsewhere with an established evidence base
May compare processes
|
Burden |
May require data or samples additional to those for routine care |
Uses existing data but may require questionnaires or inconsequential interventions |
Uses existing data but may require questionnaires or inconsequential interventions |
Methodology |
Allocation or randomisation permitted |
No allocation or randomisation |
No allocation or randomisation |