What Are the Different Types of Research Studies?
Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) Comparative effectiveness research (CER) is a direct comparison of existing options available for treating a particular medical condition. It may compare similar treatments, such as competing drugs, or it may analyze very different interventions, such as surgery and drug therapy. It may also compare the effectiveness of how and when health care is delivered, such as different intervals of follow-up, or schedules of dosing. CER can use a range of research tools and methods, including systematic review of existing studies and evidence, modeling to simulate effects of interventions on different populations, or head-to-head clinical trials comparing one treatment to another.
