Major clinical research investigations, especially large multicenter
trials, require the involvement, cooperation, and dedication of many individuals.
Roles and responsibilities range from conceiving the study and designing the
protocol to collecting and analyzing the data, and numerous essential steps
in between. Following completion of the study, the most important responsibilities
are prompt preparation of a manuscript that reports the study findings, and
timely submission of the paper to a journal for peer review, publication,
and communication of the study findings to the scientific and clinical communities.