Editorial Standards

GuineaPig is committed to providing accurate, transparent, and helpful information about clinical trials for healthy volunteers. This page explains how we create content, where our data comes from, our independence from pharmaceutical sponsors, and how you can help us correct errors.

How Content Is Created

Our educational guides and informational content are written by the GuineaPig Editorial Team. Content development follows this process:

1. Research: We review peer-reviewed literature, government resources (FDA, NIH), and established clinical research industry sources.
2. Drafting: Content is written at an accessible reading level for a general audience, avoiding unnecessary medical jargon.
3. Review: All guides are reviewed for accuracy, clarity, and completeness before publication.
4. Updates: Published content is periodically reviewed and updated to reflect new research or changes in the clinical trial landscape.

Data Sources

GuineaPig relies on authoritative, publicly available data sources:

• ClinicalTrials.gov: The official registry maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). All trial listings on GuineaPig are sourced directly from this registry via the ClinicalTrials.gov API.
• Peer-reviewed research: Our guides reference published academic literature on clinical trial participation, compensation ethics, and volunteer safety. Key sources include the Journal of Clinical Investigation, New England Journal of Medicine, and IRB: Ethics & Human Research.
• Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP): CISCRP surveys and reports on public attitudes toward clinical trials and participant experiences.
• FDA and NIH publications: Regulatory guidance documents and educational materials from federal health agencies.

Independence from Pharmaceutical Sponsors

GuineaPig is editorially independent. We want to be transparent about our relationships:

• No pharmaceutical sponsorship: Our content is not sponsored, reviewed, or approved by pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), or any study sponsors.
• No payment for listings: Trial listings are pulled directly from ClinicalTrials.gov. Sponsors do not pay to appear on GuineaPig, and we do not accept payment to promote specific trials.
• No influence on content: No pharmaceutical company, CRO, or study sponsor has editorial input or approval rights over our guides or educational materials.

Compensation Estimates

The pay ranges shown on GuineaPig are estimates based on publicly available information about typical clinical trial compensation. These estimates consider:

• Study phase (Phase 1 studies typically pay more)
• Study duration and number of visits
• Inpatient vs. outpatient design
• Historical compensation data from published research

Important: Compensation estimates are not confirmed by study sponsors. Always contact the study team directly to verify actual compensation before enrolling.

How Errors Are Corrected

We strive for accuracy, but errors can occur. When we identify an error or receive a valid correction:

1. Verification: We verify the correction against authoritative sources.
2. Prompt update: Confirmed errors are corrected as quickly as possible, typically within 48 hours.
3. Transparency: For significant corrections to guide content, we update the "Last reviewed" date and may add an editor's note explaining the change.

Report an Error

If you spot an error in our content or trial listings, please let us know. We take accuracy seriously and appreciate your help.

Email corrections to: hello@imaguineapig.com

Please include:

• The page URL or trial ID (NCT number) where you found the error
• A description of the error
• The correct information (if known) and its source

Contact Information

For editorial inquiries or corrections: