The diagram shows the journey of an average clinical study.

Starting with study planning and design the diagram then moves through the stages of grant application/commercial costing, and sponsorship agreement. The diagram then splits as the next stages run in parallel. Site identification, feasibility and selection lead onto local info pack sent to sites, and site confirmation / NHS permission; all of these run alongside IRAS submission, REC, CAG and MHRA submission, REC, CAG and MHRA review and approval outcomes. The divergent paths meet up again at study registration and move on to research delivery. The diagram then shows the journey of a study moving to end of study,  with divergent lines moving off to show that some studies may need to submit amendments and amendment review before end of study. Finally the three parallel stages which take place after the end of the study are end of study reporting, publication of results and communicating results to participants. All of the stages shown in the diagram are important stages in the lifecycle of a study. However that stages where transparency especially comes in to play are study planning and design, registration, end of study reporting, publication of results and communicating results to participants.

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