CLinical research Empirical Assessment & Recommendations (CLEAR) Methods Center

CLEAR methods for better clinical research

The CLinical research Empirical Assessment & Recommendations (CLEAR) Methods Center fosters innovative and evidence-based research methodology for high-impact clinical research. We support clinical researchers and service staff members with applicable solutions and methodological guidance.

In national and international networks with researchers and other stakeholders we promote collaboration, efficiency, transparency, and patient-relevance in clinical studies.

A particular research focus of CLEAR is the development, evaluation, and implementation of new clinical trial designs.

We provide a platform for academic collaboration across medical fields, disciplines, and career stages to create a productive research environment for the generation of trustworthy evidence enabling optimal care decisions.

Projects

Photo by Tara Winstead: https://www.pexels.com/photo/disco-ball-on-blue-background-8386424/

Adherence to SPIrit REcommendations

ASPIRE & DISCO

The aims of ASPIRE are to investigate adherence to SPIRIT checklist items of RCT protocols, determine features associated with non-adherence, and assess potential differences in adherence across countries. The DISCO study evaluates prematurely discontinued RCTs. more

Prediction of RECRUITment In randomized clinical Trials

RECRUIT-IT

Poor recruitment of patients is the predominant reason for early termination of RCTs. Investigations and validation studies of existing recruitment models are lacking. We aim to provide evidence-based guidance on how to predict and monitor recruitment into RCTs. more

Photo by Alena Shekhovtcova: https://www.pexels.com/photo/heap-of-vials-of-coronavirus-vaccine-scattered-on-table-in-laboratory-6074966/

COrona VaccinE tRiAL pLatform

COVERALL

This multicenter randomized controlled trial embedded in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study and the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study provides crucial information about the efficacy and safety of the mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. more

Library of Guidance for Health Scientists

LIGHTS

There is a need for improving the methodological quality of health research but methods guidance published in journal articles can be hard to find.The goal of LIGHTS is to help health researchers find appropriate methods guidance for their projects. more

Making Randomized Trials Affordable

MARTA

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are costly and published information on resource requirements for their conduct is limited. To identify key factors for making RCTs more sustainable, empirical data on resource use and associated costs are needed. more

Innovative Trial Designs

TwiCs and Platforms

Innovative trials designs have the potential to overcome frequent problems of traditional Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT). Two promising ones are TwiCs and platform trials. more