Learning Center

What’s the Difference Between Active, Inactive, mRNA, and Other Types of Vaccines

What’s the Difference Between Live, Inactive, mRNA, and Other Vaccines?

August 13, 2020

Our clinical staff is often asked by participants whether or not vaccines can cause the infections they’re supposed to prevent. Or, put another way, “Is this a live vaccine?” This has been especially true for our COVID-19, influenza, anthrax, and Zika virus studies. The answer is almost always no; vaccines generally cannot cause the illnesses … Read more

Understanding Placebos in Clinical Trials

Understanding Placebos in Clinical Trials

August 7, 2020

Clinical trials are intended to test the safety and effectiveness on investigational therapies. So why are placebos used, particularly in vaccine trials? Placebos are particularly useful for helping researchers assess safety, efficacy, and actual side effects among control and treatment groups. What is a placebo though? Placebos are inactive pills, injections, or procedures that have … Read more

Can I Get Paid for Participating in a Clinical Trial

Can I Get Paid for Participating in a Clinical Trial? | All About Paid Research Studies

May 4, 2020

“Can I get paid for participating in a research study?” This is the most common question people ask Velocity online when considering signing up for a clinical trial. The answer is yes, you can get paid for study-related time and travel for participating in most clinical trials. While not all research studies pay participants, most clinical … Read more

Checklist Questions to Ask Before Joining a Clinical Trial

Checklist: Questions to Ask Before Joining a Clinical Trial

April 20, 2020

Participating in a clinical trial is an important decision, and you should be comfortable with your decision. Each study is different, but the informed consent process ensures you understand what will happen. You’ll learn about the product being studied, your role in the trial, potential side effects, and the visits required. You can ask the … Read more

What is a Clinical Trial

What is a Clinical Trial?

April 14, 2020

Clinical trials are research studies of medications, vaccines, medical devices, procedures, and diagnostics (tests). These studies involve people (a.k.a., participants), and are meant to determine whether certain experimental products are safer and/or more effective than currently approved products.  Without clinical trials, it would be impossible to develop new medicines, cures, vaccines, and other medical products.  … Read more