International Stakeholder Guidance for Improving Informativeness of Randomized Clinical Trials

How can the informativeness of clinical trials be improved to ensure ethical, transparent, and meaningful research?In this qualitative study involving interviews with 55 international stakeholders, participants emphasized that trial informativeness depends on rigorous, prefunding scientific review, realistic feasibility planning, and strengthened trial integrity through training and accountability. Meaningful patient engagement and transparent registration reporting were also identified as essential to reducing research waste and enhancing trust.These findings suggest that systematically operationalizing informativeness across the trial life cycle can ensure that clinical research produces reliable evidence that meaningfully advances patient care and policy.

Corresponding Author: Sarah R. Prowse, PhD, Aberdeen Centre for Evaluation, University of Aberdeen, 3rd Floor, Health Sciences Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom (s.prowse@abdn.ac.uk).

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