Description
A crucial part of the United States’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic is the emergence of new research efforts designed to identify and produce vaccines for mass distribution to the general public. Key to this goal is the scientific process, by which clinicians and clinician-researchers take steps to increase medical knowledge and provide benefit to the public.
The Archives of Neuropsychiatry journal defines scientific research as a neutral, systemic, planned, and multistep process using previously discovered facts to advance medical knowledge. With COVID-19 research, as with all research, the process generally falls into two categories: observational and experimental.
According to news networks like CNN, thousands of Americans want to be exposed to COVID-19 to aid in national research efforts. Many people believe their participation in studies will help speed up the development of a vaccine. Such human- challenge studies may help reduce the time needed for vaccine development, but it’s important to keep in mind that there are also dangers. More specifically, there is no proven treatment options for COVID-19, and participation in a vaccine study may result in infection, or worse.
