How to Find Emerging Research and Trial Records
A step-by-step search routine for finding studies, trial registry records, retraction notices and regulatory records on an emerging health topic, and what each record can and cannot tell you.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Start with a precise question
Searching works best when you name the exact thing. Write down the intervention (the product, device or procedure, not only the field), the group of people, and the outcome you care about. "Light therapy" is a field. A named device used in a described group is searchable.The routine
- Search the literature. PubMed holds more than 40 million citations and abstracts of biomedical literature. It does not include full-text journal articles, though links to full text are often present. [1]
- Narrow the results. PubMed article-type filters rely on each citation's publication type data. [2] You can also exclude preprints, which removes preprint citations from your results. [2] Some citations, such as preprints, are not indexed for MEDLINE, so keep them in mind if you want to see early work. [2]
- Check the dates. Date of publication, entry date and create date are different fields. [2] Say which one you used.
- Look for notices. Retracted articles carry a Retracted Publication type in PubMed. [3] See Corrections and Retractions in Health Research.
- Search trial registries. A trial registry is a public record of a study's design and status. Search more than one, using the trial's identifier when you have it.
- Compare plan and paper. Does the published paper report the outcomes the registry record said it would? See Registered Trials vs Published Results.
- Check the regulator. For any approval claim, find the regulator's own record for the exact product and use. See Press Release vs Conference Abstract vs Peer-Reviewed Paper.
Where trial records live
| Registry | What it covers | Useful fields |
|---|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Records submitted by sponsors and investigators | An NCT identifier for each study, [4] the date it was first submitted, [4] and a flag showing whether results have been posted [4] |
| EU Clinical Trials Register | Interventional trials on medicines in the EU or European Economic Area that started after 1 May 2004, plus certain trials outside it, such as some pediatric ones [5] | Results data entered by sponsors [5] |
| WHO ICTRP | A search portal across registries. It is not a registry itself, and you cannot register a trial with WHO [6] | A search portal at trialsearch.who.int; WHO also points to other registries you can search, such as ClinicalTrials.gov [6] |
What a trial record tells you
WHO describes trial registration as publishing an agreed set of information about a trial's design, conduct and administration. [6] So a record tells you what was planned and its status. It does not tell you the treatment works. The first-submitted date shows when the record was filed, not when results arrived. [4] Phases also matter: Phase 2 studies are not large enough to show whether a drug will be beneficial. [7]What to write down
- Exact title, authors, journal or registry, and identifier
- The date type and date you used
- Whether the item is a preprint, a peer-reviewed paper or a registry entry
- Any correction, concern or retraction notice
- The regulator, product and use, if approval is claimed
Searching safely
Searching is not the same as being advised. Do not use a registry listing as a reason to seek out an unproven treatment. For taking part in research, see Clinical Trials Explained for Participants and talk with your own clinician first.Frequently asked questions
Is a trial on ClinicalTrials.gov proof that a treatment works?
No. A record describes a study, and its status. It is not a result. [6]
Can I register a trial or search all registries through WHO?
You cannot register a trial with WHO. The ICTRP is a search portal, not a registry. [6]
Why can I not find a paper in PubMed?
It may be a preprint, a conference abstract or a trial with no publication yet. PubMed can also exclude preprints if that filter is on. [2]
Does PubMed give me full articles?
Not always. PubMed has citations and abstracts, and links to full text are often present. [1]
How do I check whether results were posted?
In ClinicalTrials.gov a field flags whether a study has posted results. [4] Then compare them with the paper.
References
- National Library of Medicine, About PubMed. Read 2026-10-22.
- National Library of Medicine, PubMed User Guide. Read 2026-10-22.
- NLM, Errata, Retractions, and Other Linked Citations in PubMed. Read 2026-10-22.
- ClinicalTrials.gov, study data field definitions (API metadata). Read 2026-10-22.
- EU Clinical Trials Register, About the register. Read 2026-10-22.
- WHO, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Read 2026-10-22.
- FDA, Step 3: Clinical Research. Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.