The Make it Public campaign is dedicated to making research open and accessible to all.
What do we mean by research transparency?
When we talk about research transparency, we mean:
- registration: making it public that a study has started
- reporting results: making it public what the study has found
- informing participants: letting those who took part know what the study has found
- sharing study data and tissue: enabling further research.
This year, the Make it Public campaign is focusing on the registration of clinical trials.
Make it Public 2024: Raising registration rates
Registering research is the first, crucial step to research transparency. We know that two thirds of the UK public would feel more confident in the findings of health and social care research if the study was added to a public register before it started.
Although registration rates of clinical trials are currently high, we want to bring the research community together to achieve 100% registration for clinical trials.
We know that there are still some issues and perceived barriers that might prevent this ambitious goal. So, this Make it Public week, we are addressing barriers to research registration, and showcasing the benefits from the differing perspectives of all those affected by and involved in research.
Clinical trial registration data
We have published data about clinical trial registration every year since 2015. This has usually been a snapshot audit to show the proportion of trials that are registered. We have not published registration information on a trial-by-trial basis before.
This year, for Make it Public week, we shared data on clinical trials in the UK that received a favourable opinion from RECs in 2022, along with details on their registration number or an explanation for non-registration if this has been shared with us. Read our full report.
#MakeitPublic workshop: all clinical trials registered
During Make it Public week, we held an online workshop dedicated to exploring themes in research registration, and addressing any perceived issues and barriers.
Chaired by the co-chairs of the Make it Public campaign group, it included:
- Talks from influential speakers from across the research sector, with advice on how to deliver best practice in the area of registration
- An expert panellist Q&A session
- Facilitated breakout groups to discuss individual concerns regarding registration, with a solution-focused approach
We also heard a poem from Amander Wellings, public contributor and Make it Public Campaign Group member, about transparency. Read the poem.
More details following the event will be shared on this page soon.
#MakeitPublic and me: why research registration is important
We asked people from our Make it Public campaign group and beyond why registration of clinical trials is important.
Frances Mossie, public contributorIf we had all clinical trials registered, this would make things so much easier for people who are ill and want to explore how new treatments could help them. They could look at all the study details with their family and when approached by healthcare professionals, they would have the information to hand and feel prepared in making their decision as to whether to take part.
Matt Westmore, Chief ExecutiveResearch is a gradual, iterative process, one based on communities working together through intelligent trial and error. Today’s discoveries build on yesterday's successes and failures, and registration of research continues in this spirit - it allows current researchers to see further and build upon what is in progress, so that we can all benefit.
