Lay Language

abdomen belly, stomach

abdominal distention bloating

absorb take up fluids, take in

acid taste sour taste

acidosis condition when blood contains more acid than normal

acuity clearness, keenness, esp. of vision and airways

acute new, recent, sudden, urgent

acute cholecystitis

gall stones, which may cause upper abdominal pain and require

hospitalization and surgery

adenopathy swollen lymph nodes (glands)

adjuvant helpful, assisting, aiding, supportive

agent drug, medication

albumin protein found in blood

allergic reaction rash, hives, swelling, trouble breathing

alopecia loss of hair

ambulate/ambulation/

ambulatory

walk, able to walk

analgesic pain-relieving drug

anaphylaxis serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction

anasarca

build up of fluid throughout the whole body, which occurs in

severely ill people

anemia

low number of red blood cells, can causes tiredness and

shortness of breath. May require a blood transfusion

anesthetic

a drug or agent used to decrease the feeling of pain, or eliminate

the feeling of pain by putting you to sleep

angina chest pain due to decreased oxygen getting to the heart.

anorexia disorder in which person will not eat; lack of appetite

antecubital related to the inner side of the forearm

antibody protein made in the body in response to foreign substance

anticonvulsant drug used to prevent seizures

antiemetic medication to prevent nausea/vomiting

antilipemic a drug that lowers fat levels in the blood

antimicrobial drug that kills bacteria and other germs

antiretroviral drug that works against the growth of certain viruses

antitussive a drug used to relieve coughing

aplastic anemia a disorder caused by decreased production of red blood cells

arrhythmia irregular heart beat

arterial thrombosis

blood clot in an artery that blocks the artery. This could be serious

and life threatening

arterial catheter small tube placed in an artery

arthralgia joint pain

ascites

build up of fluid in the abdomen, which causes bloating and

discomfort. This could require that the fluid be removed by a

procedure called paracentesis

aspiration fluid entering the lungs, such as after vomiting

assay lab test

asthenia feeling weak and having no energy

asthma

lung disease associated with tightening of air passages, making

breathing difficult

autoimmune enteritis

this is when your immune system attacks normal cells in your

body, including the cells that line your digestive tract. This may

result in bleeding and inflammation of the esophagus, bowel

(intestines), and lower gi tract (colon), which can cause bleeding,

diarrhea and perforations (holes). This could be serious or life

threatening. Hospitalization and treatment with medications

(steroids) may be necessary. This can become severe and may

require surgical removal of parts of the intestines or colon. These

surgical procedures might result in your having a stoma (hole)

though which digested food passes

axilla armpit

baseline

1. Information gathered at the beginning of a study from which

variations found in the study are measured. 2. A known value or

quantity with which an unknown is compared when measured or

assessed. 3. The initial time point in a clinical trial, just before a

participant starts to receive the experimental treatment which is

being tested. At this reference point, measurable values such as

cd4 count are recorded. Safety and efficacy of a drug are often

determined by monitoring changes from the baseline values.

benefit a valued or desired outcome; an advantage

benign not malignant, without serious consequences

bilirubinemia high levels of bilirubin in the blood

bioavailability

the extent to which a drug or other substance becomes available

to the body

biologic

any therapeutic serum, toxin, anti-toxin, or analogous microbial

product applicable to the prevention, treatment, or cure of

diseases or injuries

biopsy removal and examination of tissue

blind

a randomized trial is "blind" if the participant is not told which arm

of the trial he is on

bolus a large amount given all at once

bone mass

the amount of calcium and other minerals in a given amount of

bone

bowel perforation perforation of the digestive system

bradycardia slow heartbeat

brain stem edema

accumulation of fluid around the brain stem, this can be life

threatening

bronchospasm breathing distress caused by narrowing of the airways

carcinogenic cancer-causing

cardiac related to the heart

cardiac arrest sudden, unexpected stopping of the heart.

cardiac effusion collection of fluid around the heart

cardiac toxicity damage to the heart

cardiomyopathy

heart muscle becomes damaged and the heart doesn’t pump

properly

cardiovascular heart and blood vessels

cardioversion return to normal heartbeat by electric shock

case study

a research strategy that focuses on one case (an individual, a

group, an organization, etc.) within its social context during one

time period

catheter a tube for withdrawing or giving fluids

central nervous

system (CNS)

brain and spinal cord

cerebral trauma damage to the brain

cessation stopping

chemotherapy treatment of disease, usually cancer, by chemical agents

chronic continuing for a long time, ongoing

clinical pertaining to medical care

cluster sample

a probability sample that is determined by randomly selecting

clusters of people from a population and subsequently selecting

every person in each cluster for inclusion in the sample

cognitively impaired

having either a psychiatric disorder (e.g., psychosis, neurosis,

personality or behavior disorders, or dementia) or a

developmental disorder (e.g., mental retardation) that affects

cognitive or emotional functions to the extent that capacity for

judgment and reasoning is significantly diminished

cohort

a group of subjects initially identified as having one or more

characteristics in common who are followed over time

coma unconscious state

compassionate use

a method of providing experimental therapeutics prior to final FDA

approval for use in humans

compensation

payment or medical care provided to subjects injured in research;

does not refer to payment (remuneration) for participation in

research

competence

a legal term to indicate a person’s capacity to act on one’s own

behalf; a person’s ability to understand information presented, to

realize the consequences of acting (or not acting) on that

information, and to make a choice.

complete response total disappearance of disease

confounding factor

any factor that might serve as an alternative explanation for a

study’s result; confounding factors include non-randomized

samples, selection bias, and any arbitrary differences between

people that are being compared.

congenital present before birth

conjunctivitis redness and irritation of the thin membrane that covers the eye

consolidation phase

treatment phase intended to make a remission permanent (follows

induction phase)

constipation difficulty passing stools

contract an agreement

contraindicated

disadvantageous, perhaps dangerous; a treatment that should not

be used in certain individuals or conditions due to risks. For

instance, a drug may be contraindicated for pregnant women and

people with high blood pressure

control group

in many clinical trials, one group of patients will be given an

experimental drug or treatment, while the control group is given

either a standard treatment for the illness or a placebo

controlled trial

research study in which the experimental treatment or procedure

is compared to a standard (control) treatment or procedure

convenience sample

a non-probability sample that is determined by selecting

participants that are readily accessible (convenient) to the

researcher, (examples in studies of Stanford students might

include going to an organizational meeting or hanging out outside

of rastall and asking students exiting the lunchroom to take a

survey)

cooperative group association of multiple institutions to perform clinical trials

coronary

related to the blood vessels that supply the heart, or to the heart

itself

correlational

relationship

a relationship where two variables are associated (this can be

measured in terms of strength and direction using statistical tests)

but not causally related

cross-over design

a type of clinical trial in which each subject experiences, at

different times, both the experimental and control therapy

culture test for infection, or for organisms that could cause infection

cumulative added together from the beginning

cutaneous relating to the skin

debilitation weakened condition

debrief

giving participants previously undisclosed information about the

research project following completion of their participation in

research. In studies involving deception, if the participants are not

informed of the deception in the informed consent, the IRB-SBS

requires a signed debrief form for each participant following

completion of his/her participation in the study

deception

the intentional withholding of information from participants, or

deception about the study’s purpose and exact nature, that is

deemed necessary by the researcher in order to meet the study’s

goals

dehydrate lose water or body fluids

dermatitis skin irritation, rash

dermatologic pertaining to the skin

deteriorate condition to grow worse

diagnostic trials

refers to trials that are are conducted to find better tests or

procedures for diagnosing a particular disease or condition

diarrhea

frequent, loose watery stools, which can cause dehydration and

may require hospitalization and treatment with intravenous fluids

diastolic lower number in a blood pressure reading

distal toward the end, away from the center of the body

distal parathesias numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.

diuretic water pill or drug that causes increase in urination

doppler device using sound waves to diagnose or test

dose-ranging study

a clinical trial in which two or more doses of an agent (such as a

drug) are tested against each other to determine which dose

works best and is least harmful

double-blind design

an experiment in which neither the participants nor the research

staff who interact with them knows the memberships of the

experimental or control groups. Also known as double-masked

design (see single-blind design and open design)

duration length of time involved

dysplasia abnormal cells

echocardiogram using soundwaves for examination of the heart

edema build up of fluid in the body causing swelling.

efficacy effectiveness

electrocardiogram electrical tracing of the heartbeat (ECG or EKG)

electrolyte changes

changes in electrolytes (body salts), which usually do not cause

any symptoms but that can sometimes cause fatigue, muscle

weakness, cramping, rigidity, irregular heart beat, or seizures

elevated lipase,

amylase

may indicate inflammation of the pancreas, which could result in

abdominal pain and discomfort and could require hospitalization

and intravenous treatment

elevated uric acid

levels

may worsen kidney function; cause joint pain (gout) and kidney

stones

eligibility criteria

summary criteria for participant selection; includes inclusion and

exclusion criteria

emancipated minor

a legal status given to those individuals who have not yet attained

the age of legal competency as defined by state law, but who are

entitled to adult treatment because of assuming adult

responsibilities such as being self-supporting and not living at

home, marriage, or procreation

emesis vomiting, throwing up

empirical based on experimental data, not on a theory.

encephalopathy disease of the brain that severely alters thinking.

endoscopic

examination

examination of an internal part of the body with a lighted tube

endpoint overall outcome that the protocol is designed to evaluate

enteral by way of the intestines

enzyme a chemical in the blood that causes chemical changes

epidemiology

The branch of medical science that deals with the study of

incidence and distribution and control of a disease in a population.

epidural outside the spinal cord

epistaxis bloody nose

equitable

fair or just; used in the context of selection of participants to

indicate that the benefits and burdens of research are fairly

distributed

erythema redness of the skin

ethnographic

research

ethnography is the study of people and their cultures

evaluated, assessed examined for a medical condition

excrete discharge, pass

expanded access

refers to any of the FDA procedures, such as compassionate use,

parallel track, and treatment IND that distribute experimental

drugs to participants who are failing on currently available

treatments for their condition and also are unable to participate in

ongoing clinical trials

experimental drug

a drug that is not FDA licensed for use in humans, or as a

treatment for a particular condition

experimental group

the group in an experimental design study that receives treatment

in the form, or in various forms, of the independent variable

external outside the body

extravasate to leak outside of a planned area, such as out of a blood vessel

fatigue feeling tired

fetus unborn baby

fever abnormally high body temperature

fibrillation irregular beat of the heart or other muscle

fibrosis scars

fibrous having many fibers, such as scar tissue

field research

behavioral, social, or anthropological research involving the study

of people or groups in their own environment and without

manipulation for research purposes

fluoroscope x-ray machine

fungus form of infection

gait walk

gastrointestinal stomach and intestines

general anesthesia

pain prevention by giving drugs to cause loss of consciousness,

as during surgery

generalizability

the ability to apply the results of a specific study to groups or

situations beyond those actually studied

genetics* the study of heredity

genomics* the sudy of genes and their functions, and related techniques

genetics v. genomics

(Based on W.H.O.

definitions)

The main difference between genomics and genetics is that

genetics scurtinizes the functioning and composition of the single

gene, whereas genomics addresses all genes and their inter-

relationships in order to identify their combined influence on the

growth and development of the organism

(Based on W.H.O. definitions)

genetic screening

tests to identify persons who have an inherited predisposition to a

certain phenotype or who are at risk of producing offspring with

inherited diseases or disorders

genotype the genetic constitution of an individual

gestational pertaining to pregnancy

guardian

an individual who is authorized under applicable state or local law

to give permission on behalf of a child to general medical care

headache pain in the head

heart palpitations heart beats that are fast and hard

hematocrit amount of red blood cells in the blood

hematoma blood clot

hematuria blood in urine

hemodynamic

measuring

measuring of blood flow

hemolysis breakdown in red blood cells

hemolytic uremic

syndrome

red blood cells begin to dissolve, which leave wastes in the blood

and the kidneys are unable to get rid of excess fluid and wastes

hemoptysis vomiting blood

hemorrhage loss of blood (heavy bleeding)

hemorrhagic cystitis inflammation of the bladder with severe bleeding

heparin lock

needle placed in the arm with blood thinner to keep the blood from

clotting

hepatoma cancer or tumor of the liver

heritable disease

disease that can be transmitted to one’s offspring, resulting in

damage to future children

high thyroid function

may cause fatigue, weight loss, rapid heartbeat, sweating, trouble

with heat, nervousness

histopathologic pertaining to the disease status of body tissues or cells

holter monitor a portable machine for recording heart beats

hormone a chemical in the body

human subjects

Individuals whose physiologic or behavioral characteristics and

responses are the object of study in a research project. Under the

federal regulations, human subjects are defined as: living

individual(s) about whom an investigator conducting research

obtains: (1) data through intervention or interaction with the

individual; or (2) identifiable private information.

hypercalcemia high levels of calcium in the blood

hyperkalemia

high levels of potassium in the blood, which can cause the heart

to stop beating

hyperkeratosis thickening of the skin, nails.

hypernatremia high blood sodium level

hyperpigmentation darkening of the skin

hyperpyrexia high body temperature, a fever.

hypertension high blood pressure

hyperuricemia

excess amount of uric acid in the blood, gout, which can cause

pain in the joints

hypokalemia

decreased levels of potassium in the blood, which can cause

irregular heart beat

hypomagnesemia

low magnesium, which may result in muscle cramps, weakness,

tremors or irregular heartbeat

hyponatremia

decreased levels of sodium in the blood, which can cause

confusion, seizures, fatigue and low levels of consciousness

hypophosphatemia

low phosphate, which may result in muscle weakness, bone pain,

confusion and muscle breakdown

hypopigmentation /

vitiligo

patches of the skin turn lighter than the surrounding skin

hypotensive low blood pressure

hypothesis

a supposition or assumption advanced as a basis for reasoning or

argument, or as a guide to experimental investigation

hypothesis

a testable statement of how two or more variables are expected to

be related to one another

hypoxemia a decrease of oxygen in the blood

hypoxia a decrease of oxygen reaching body tissues

hysterectomy

surgical removal of the uterus, ovaries (female sex glands), or

both uterus and ovaries

iatrogenic caused by a physician or by treatment

idiopathic of unknown cause

immunity defense against, protection from

immunization administration of a substance to prevent disease

immunoglobin a protein that makes antibodies

immunological

effects

effect on the immune system

immunosuppressive

drug which works against the body's immune (protective)

response, often used in transplantation and diseases caused by

immune system malfunction

immunotherapy

giving of drugs to help the body's immune (protective) system;

usually used to destroy cancer cells

incapacity

refers to a person's mental status and means inability to

understand information presented, to appreciate the

consequences of acting (or not acting) on that information, and to

make a choice

inclusion/exclusion

criteria

the medical or social standards determining whether a person

may or may not be allowed to enter a clinical trial

incompetence

used as a legal term to indicate the inability to manage one’s own

affairs

induction start

induration hardening

indwelling remaining in a given location, such as a catheter

infarct death of tissue due to lack of blood supply

infectious disease disease that is transmitted from one person to the next

inflammation swollen, red, and painful

informed consent

the process of learning the key facts about a clinical trial before

deciding whether or not to participate

infusion

slow injection of a substance into the body, usually into the blood

by means of a catheter

ingestion eating; taking by mouth

insomnia inability to sleep

institutionalized

confined, either voluntarily or involuntarily (e.g., a hospital, prison,

or nursing home)

interferon drug which acts against viruses; antiviral agent

intermittent

occurring (regularly or irregularly) between two time points;

repeatedly stopping, then starting again

interstitial

pneumonitis,

pneumonitis

inflammation of the lungs, which can cause shortness of breath

and difficulty breathing

intervention

includes both physical procedures by which data are gathered and

manipulations of the participant or the participant's environment

that are performed for research purposes

intracatheter small tube in a vein

intramuscular into the muscle; within the muscle

intraperitoneal into the abdominal cavity

intrathecal into the spinal fluid

intravenous (IV) through the vein

intravesical in the bladder

intubate the placement of a tube into the airway

invasive procedure puncturing, opening, or cutting the skin

investigational

method

a treatment method which has not been proven to be beneficial or

has not been accepted as standard care

investigator

the individual(s) designated to have the appropriate level of

authority and responsibility to direct the research project and/or

activity

irradiation x-ray

ischemia

decreased oxygen in a tissue (usually because of decreased

blood flow)

jaundice yellowing of the skin

laparotomy

Surgical procedure in which an incision is made in the abdominal

wall to enable a doctor to look at the organs inside.

Legally Authorized

Representative

(LAR)

a person authorized either by statute or by court appointment to

make decisions on behalf of another person

lesion wound or injury; a diseased patch of skin

lethargy sleepiness, tiredness

leukopenia low white blood cell count

lipid fat

local anesthesia

creation of insensitivity to pain in a small, local area of the body,

usually by injection of numbing drugs

localized restricted to one area, limited to one area

longitudinal study

a study in which data are collected from the same sample at least

two different times

low blood sugar /

hypoglycemia

abnormal decrease in sugar in the blood, which can cause

weakness, fatigue, and if severe, can cause loss of

consciousness

low thyroid function

may cause fatigue, weight gain, fluid retention, feeling cold,

decreased cognitive function

low white cell count increased risk of infection

lumen the cavity of an organ or tube (e.g., blood vessel)

lymphangiography

an x-ray of the lymph nodes or tissues after injecting dye into

lymph vessels (e.g., in feet)

lymphocyte

a type of white blood cell important in immunity (protection)

against infection

lymphoma a cancer of the lymph nodes (or tissues)

malaise a vague feeling of bodily discomfort, feeling badly

malfunction condition in which something is not functioning properly

malignancy

cancer or other progressively enlarging and spreading tumor,

usually fatal if not successfully treated

mature minor

someone who has not reached adulthood (as defined by state

law) but who may be treated as an adult for certain purposes (e.g.

consenting to medical care)

medullablastoma a type of brain tumor

megaloblastosis change in red blood cells

metabolic acidosis the body becomes more acid

metabolism chemical changes which provide energy

metabolize process of breaking down substances in the cells to obtain energy

metastasis spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another

metronidazole

drug used to treat infections caused by parasites (invading

organisms that take up living in the body) or other causes of

anaerobic infection (not requiring oxygen to survive) mi

myocardial infarction, heart attack

minimal slight

minimal risk

a risk is minimal where the probability and magnitude of harm or

discomfort anticipated in the proposed research are not greater, in

and of themselves, than those ordinarily encountered in daily life

or during the performance of routine physical or psychological

examinations or tests

moderate risk

a risk is moderate when it includes non-public behavior or data

and/or allows for connection of the response to the individual’s

identity

monitor check on; keep track of; watch carefully

monitoring

the collection and analysis of data as the project progresses to

assure the appropriateness of the research, its design and

participant protections

morbidity undesired result or complication

mortality death

motility the ability to move

mucosa, mucous

membrane

moist lining of digestive, respiratory, reproductive, and urinary

tracts

mucositis/stomatitis

sores in the mouth and esophagus, which may be painful and

cause difficulty swallowing

myalgia muscle aches

myocardial pertaining to the heart muscle

myocardial infarction heart attack

nasogastric tube

tube placed in the nose, reaching to the stomach

nci the national cancer institute

nausea feeling sick to the stomach

necrosis death of tissue

neoplasia/neoplasm tumor, may be benign or malignant

neuroblastoma a cancer of nerve tissue

neurologic deficits

a neurologic deficit is a decrease in the function of the brain,

spinal cord, muscles, and/or nerves

neurological pertaining to the nervous system

neuropathy

damage to the nerves which can cause numbness, pain, and

weakness

neutropenia

condition in which the number of white bloods cells called

neutrophils is abnormally low

noninvasive not breaking, cutting, or entering the skin

nosocomial acquired in the hospital

null hypothesis

the proposition, to be tested statistically, that the experimental

intervention has “no effect,” meaning that the treatment and

control groups will not differ as a result of the intervention

occlusion closing; blockage; obstruction

off-label use

a drug prescribed for conditions other than those approved by the

fda.

oncology the study of tumors or cancer

open design

an experimental design in which both the investigator(s) and the

participants know the treatment group(s) to which participants are

assigned

open-ended

questions

survey questions that allow respondents to answer in their own

words

open-label trial

a clinical trial in which doctors and participants know which drug or

vaccine is being administered

ophthalmic pertaining to the eye

opportunistic

infections

an infection caused by an organism that usually does not cause

illness, but causes disease when a person’s immune response

(resistance) to infection is impaired

oral administration by mouth

orphan drugs

an FDA category that refers to medications used to treat diseases

and conditions that occur rarely

orthopedic pertaining to the bones

ostealgia bone pain

osteopetrosis rare bone disorder characterized by dense bone

osteoporosis softening of the bones

ovaries female sex glands

palpitation rapid heart beat parameter measure

pancreatitis /

inflammation of the

pancreas

inflammation of the pancreas causing pain in the upper abdomen

pancytopenia abnormal decrease in the levels of all type of blood cells

parenteral given by injection

participant

individuals whose physiological or behavioral characteristics and

responses are the object of study in a research project

patency condition of being open

paternalism

making decisions for others against or apart from their wishes with

the intent of doing them good

pathogenesis development of a disease or unhealthy condition

peer review review of a clinical trial by experts chosen by the study sponsor

percutaneous through the skin

peripheral not central

peripheral blood vein blood

pharmacokinetics

the study of the way the body absorbs, distributes, and gets rid of

a drug

phenotype the physical manifestation of a gene function

phlebitis irritation or inflammation of the vein

placebo an inactive substance; a pill/liquid that contains no medicine

placebo effect

a physical or emotional change, occurring after a substance is

taken or administered, that is not the result of any special property

of the substance

placenta afterbirth

plasma fluid found in the blood

platelet part of blood that causes clots

pleural effusion

collection of fluid around the lungs in the chest cavity, which can

cause shortness of breath and may require treatment

population

the entire group (or set or type) of people from which a researcher

samples, and to which she or he would ideally like to generalize

potential possible

potentiate

increase or multiply the effect of a drug or toxin (poison) by giving

another drug or toxin at the same time (sometimes an

unintentional result)

potentiator an agent that helps another agent work better

preclinical

refers to the testing of experimental drugs in the test tube or in

animals - the testing that occurs before trials in humans may be

carried out

prenatal before birth

prevention trials

refers to trials to find better ways to prevent disease in people who

have never had the disease or to prevent a disease from returning

privacy

a person’s capacity to control the extent, timing, and

circumstances of shared oneself (physically, behaviorally, or

intellectually) with others

private information

includes information about behavior that occurs in a context in

which an individual can reasonably expect that no observation or

recording is taking place, and information which has been

provided for specific purposes by an individual and which the

individual can reasonably expect will not be made public

probability sample

a subset of the population chosen in such a way that every

member of the population has a known (nonzero) chance of being

selected into the sample

prognosis outlook, probable outcomes

prone lying on the stomach

prophylaxis use of drugs to prevent disease

prospective studies

studies designed to observe outcomes or events that occur after

the group of participants has been identified. prospective studies

do not have to involve manipulation or intervention but may be

purely observational or involve only the collection of data instead.

prosthesis artificial part, most often limbs, such as arms or legs

protected health

information

name, address, elements of dates related to an individual (e.g.,

birthdate), email address, numbers; telephone, fax, social

security, medical record, health beneficiary/health insurance,

certificate or license numbers, vehicle, account numbers,

characteristics, or codes (e.g., global positioning system (gps)

readings), web urls, internet protocol (io) addresses, biometric

identifiers (e.g. voice, fingerprints), full face photographs or

comparable images

proteinuria excess protein in the urine

protocol a study plan on which all clinical trials are based

proximal closer to the center of the body, away from the end

pruritis itchy skin

psychosis nervous breakdown

pulmonary pertaining to the lungs

pulmonary embolism

a blood clot that causes a sudden blockage in a lung artery,

usually due to a blood clot that traveled to the lung from the leg

pulmonary fibrosis

tissue in the lungs becomes stiff making breathing difficult,

resulting in shortness of breath, and if severe, can cause heart

failure

pulmonary

hypertension

abnormally high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs,

which makes it harder to pump blood into the lungs

quasi-experiment

an experimental design that is missing one or more aspects of the

(classic) controlled experiment.

radiation therapy x-ray or cobalt treatment

random by chance (like the flip of a coin)

randomization

a method based on chance by which study participants are

assigned to a treatment group

Raynaud’s Syndrome

an autoimmune disorder causing blood vessels to spasm when

exposed to cold

recombinant formation of new combinations of genes

reconstitution putting back together the original parts or elements

recruiting

the period during which a trial is attempting to identify and enroll

participants

recruitment status indicates the current stage of a trial

recur happen again

refractory not responding to treatment

regeneration re-growth of a structure or of lost tissue

regimen pattern of giving treatment

relapse the return of a disease

reliability the degree to which a measure yields consistent results

remission disappearance of evidence of cancer or other disease

remuneration

payment for participation in research; this is different from

compensation, which typically refers to payment for research-

related injuries

renal pertaining to the kidneys

replicable possible to duplicate

representative

sample

a sample in which the participants closely match the

characteristics of the population, and thus, all segments of the

population are represented in the sample

research

a systematic investigation (i.e., the gathering and analysis of

information) designed to develop or contribute to generalizable

knowledge

resect remove or cut out surgically

respiratory failure

difficulty breathing with low levels of oxygen in the blood, which

could be serious and life threatening and require you to have a

tube inserted into your windpipe that is hooked up to a machine to

help you breathe

respondents

research participants, who fill out a survey, are interviewed,

participate in an experiment, are observed in a naturalistic setting,

or who are otherwise studied

rhabdomyolysis rhabdomyolysis is a breakdown of muscle fibers.

rigors chills and shivering

saline salt water solution

sample a subset of a given population used for research purposes

sarcoma a type of cancer

screening examination, test

secretion release

sedative a drug to calm or make less anxious

seizures convulsions

seminoma a type of testicular cancer (found in the male sex glands)

sequentially in a row, in order

side effects any undesired actions or effects of a drug or treatment

simultaneous at the same time

single-blind design

typically, a study design in which the investigator, but not the

participant, knows the identity of the treatment assignment.

occasionally the participant, but not the investigator, knows the

assignment. also known as single-masked design

snowball sample

a non-probability sample that is created by using members of the

group of interest to identify other members of the group (for

example, asking a participant at the end of an interview for

suggestions about who else to interview)

social

experimentation

systematic manipulation of, or experimentation in, social or

economic systems; used in planning public policy

somnolence sleepiness

specimen

a sample, as of human tissue, blood or urine, used for diagnostic

or pathological analyses

spirometer

an instrument to measure the amount of air taken into and

exhaled from the lungs

staging an evaluation of the extent of the disease

standard of care

a treatment plan that the majority of the medical community would

accept as appropriate

standard treatment

a treatment currently in wide use and approved by the FDA,

considered to be effective in the treatment of a specific disease or

condition

statistical

significance

the probability that an event or difference occurred by chance

alone. In clinical trials, the level of statistical significance depends

on the number of participants studied and the observations made,

as well as the magnitude of differences observed

stenosis narrowing of a duct, tube, or one of the blood vessels in the heart

Stevens-Johnson

syndrome

skin condition that causes painful blisters and sores of the skin

and mucous membranes, especially in the mouth

stimuli something which causes a change

stomatitis mouth sores, inflammation of the mouth

stratify

arrange in groups for analysis of results (e.g., stratify by age, sex,

etc.)

structured interview

a data collection method in which an interviewer reads a

standardized interview schedule to the respondent and records

the answers

study endpoint

a primary or secondary outcome used to judge the effectiveness

of a treatment

stupor

stunned state in which it is difficult to get a response or the

attention of the subject

subclavian under the collarbone

subcutaneous under the skin

supine lying on the back

supine position lying on the back

supplement add

supportive care

general medical care aimed at symptoms, not intended to improve

or cure underlying disease

survey

a study in which the same data are collected from all members of

the sample using a highly structured questionnaire and analyzed

using statistical tests

syndrome a condition characterized by a set of symptoms

systolic

top number in blood pressure; pressure during active contraction

of the heart

T-lymphocytes type of white blood cells

tachycardia fast heart rate

teratogenic

capable of causing malformations in a fetus (developing baby still

inside the mother’s body)

testes/testicles male sex glands

theory

a general explanation about a specific behavior or set of events

that is based on known principles and serves to organize related

events in a meaningful way

therapy treatment intended and expected to alleviate a disease or disorder

thrombocytopenia

Low number of platelets, which may cause bleeding and bruising.

May require a blood transfusion. Bleeding may be serious or life

threatening.

thrombosis clotting

thrombus blood clot

tinnitus ringing in the ears

titration

a method for deciding on the strength of a drug or solution;

gradually increasing the dose

topical on the surface

topical anesthetic

applied to a certain area of the skin and reducing pain only in the

area to which applied

toxicity side effects or undesirable effects of a drug or treatment

transdermal through the skin

transiently temporarily

trauma injury; wound

treatment trials

refers to trials which test new treatments, new combinations of

drugs, or new approaches to surgery or radiation therapy

Unanticipated

Problem

an unanticipated problem involving risk to human participants or

others, is one that (1) was unforeseen at the time of its

occurrence, and (2) indicates that participants or others are at an

increased risk of harm

uptake absorbing and taking in of a substance by living tissue

urticaria hives

validity

the degree to which a measure assesses what we think it is

assessing

valvuloplasty plastic repair of a valve, especially a heart valve

variable

any characteristic or trait that can vary from one person to another

(race, sex, academic major) or for one person over time (age,

political beliefs)

varices enlarged veins

vasospasm narrowing of the blood vessels

vector

a carrier that can transmit disease-causing microorganisms

(germs and viruses)

venipuncture needle stick, blood draw, entering the skin with a needle

vertical transmission spread of disease

visual disturbances inability to see properly.

voluntary

free of coercion, duress, or undue inducement. Used in the

research context to refer to a subject's decision to participate (or

to continue to participate) in a research activity

ward

persons who are wards of the state or any other agency,

institution, or entity