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Clinical Research: Definitions, “Anatomy and Physiology,” and the Quest for “Universal Truth”

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Essentials of Clinical Research

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Abstract

To answer many of their clinical questions, physicians need access to reports of original research. This requires the reader to critically appraise the design, conduct, and analysis of each study and subsequently interpret the results. This first chapter reviews some of the key historical developments that have led to the current paradigms used in clinical research, such as the concept of randomization, blinding (masking) and, placebo-controls.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Univesity of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 1717 11th Ave. South MT 638, Birmingham, AL

    Stephen P. Glasser (Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology)

Authors
  1. Stephen P. Glasser
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL, USA

    Stephen P. Glasser

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© 2008 Springer Science + Business Media B.V

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Glasser, S.P. (2008). Clinical Research: Definitions, “Anatomy and Physiology,” and the Quest for “Universal Truth”. In: Glasser, S.P. (eds) Essentials of Clinical Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8486-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8486-7_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-8485-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-8486-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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