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Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (IPPCR)

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Welcome

The Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (IPPCR) course trains participants on how to effectively and safely conduct clinical research. The course focuses on the spectrum of clinical research and the research process by highlighting biostatistical and epidemiologic methods, study design, protocol preparation, patient monitoring, quality assurance, ethical and legal issues, and much more. This course will be of interest to physicians, scientists, medical and dental students, nurses, public health professionals, and others conducting or planning a career in clinical research.

 

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OCRECO IPPCR Step by Step

 

Register9/1/2026 - 6/25/2027 (12PM US ET)
Access Course9/1/2026 – 7/30/2027 (12PM US ET)
Final Exam Deadline7/22/2027 (12 PM US ET)

 

Course Objectives

  • Provide an overview of basic biostatistical and epidemiologic methods involved in conducting clinical research.
  • Describe the principles involved in the ethical, legal, and regulatory issues in clinical human subjects research, including the role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs).
  • Describe principles and issues involved in monitoring patient-oriented research.
  • Describe the infrastructure required in performing clinical research and the steps involved in developing and funding research studies.
  • Provide an overview of basic biostatistical and epidemiologic methods involved in conducting clinical research.
  • Describe the principles involved in the ethical, legal, and regulatory issues in clinical human subjects research, including the role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs).
  • Describe principles and issues involved in monitoring patient-oriented research.
  • Describe the infrastructure required in performing clinical research and the steps involved in developing and funding research studies.

General Information

  • This online course is offered annually at no cost. After registering, participants may begin their study immediately.
  • There are approximately 40 pre-recorded lectures (15-90 minutes each), lecture materials, templates, and discussion boards to engage with other participants and the faculty.
  • There is an online final exam, which consists of 50-80 multiple choice questions. Participants are permitted to use course materials during the final exam.
  • A Certificate of Completion is awarded to each registered participant who achieves a score of 80% or higher on the final exam.
  • There is no academic credit or continuing medical education (CME) credit offered for this course.
  • Only registered participants are allowed to take the final exam and receive a certificate of completion. However, if you do not wish to enroll in the course, you can still view the individual course lectures through the NIH IPPCR YouTube Playlist or by searching for 'IPPCR' in the NIH VideoCast Past Events site. Please refer to the course syllabus for the order of lectures.

Course Directors

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Lisa Cordes Headshot
Lisa Cordes, Pharm.D., BCACP, BCOP
Dr. Lisa M. Cordes is an Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and Educator at the National Institutes of Health. She is responsible for designing and teaching educational initiatives, as well as co-directing global pharmacology and research courses. In collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Cordes provides clinical expertise, serves as a clinical trials investigator, and offers guidance throughout the drug development process.
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Laura Lee Johnson
Laura Lee Johnson, Ph.D.
Laura Lee Johnson, Ph.D. is the patient focused drug development liaison and the division director for the Office of Biostatistics at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)

Advisor

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Anne Zajicek
Anne Zajicek, MD, Pharm.D., FAAP
Dr. Zajicek is a board certified pediatrician and pediatric clinical pharmacologist who served as Program Director of the Office of Clinical Research Education and Collaboration Outreach at the National Institutes of Health.