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Minimum recruitment data collected by CRN

The NIHR CRN collects research activity data to:

  • Monitor performance of research studies
  • Improve CRN study support service
  • Monitor level and spread of research activity across the nation
  • Efficient resource direction to benefit patients

Minimum data on projects: This information is captured once for each project during the initial set up process on Siteline.

  1. Recruitment site (Research location on Siteline): NIHR defines this as "the site where the participant is consented should be listed as the recruitment site. This is on the assumption that, in general, the site where the participant is consented is the research site where most of the infrastructure support is required". Guidance for consents obtained during home visits and other Non-NHS locations can be found in Section 12 of NIHR recruitment policy.
  2. Site activity type (Research location type on Siteline): When different organisations are involved in providing a specific activity such as; recruitment site, follow-up site and so on (Ref. Section 13 of NIHR recruitment policy)..
  3. Participant type: NIHR CRN England captures 9 participant types to provide nuanced reporting. However, such level of granularity is not applicable to sites in Wales and Scotland along with many sites in Northern Ireland and parts of England. In such scenarios, the participant type will be listed as 'Not provided'. Ref: Sec 6.3 in Research Activity Confirmation Guidance (PDF)

Minimum recruitment data on participants: This information is captured for each participant.

  1. Consented: This is the date when the participant provided informed consent to join a study.
  2. Recruited (Enrolled on Siteline): This is the date when the participant is enrolled into the study. The participant provided informed consent to join a study and is taking part in the study (i.e. participants who count towards the sample size of the study as set out in the study protocol and having been deemed eligible according to any screening tests applicable).
  3. Failed screening (Screen failure on Siteline): This is the date when the participant failed screening. The participant has given consent to non-standard clinical investigations, procedures or tests relating to the study but following these procedures was found ineligible to
    take part in the study.