To submit your register...

This page explains how you may join voluntary sector, government, and commercial sponsors of trials in helping us to build the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT). This is a searchable, international database of ongoing randomised controlled trials.

• If you would like to consider sharing your trial register with the mRCT, and obtain International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Numbers (ISRCTNs), then please read on...
• If you prefer to register individual trials, one by one, and obtain ISRCTNs, please click here

For more background on the mRCT, please click here. For details of how we can help click here. All trial records will be in English. A brief introduction to Current Controlled Trials has been prepared in French, German, Italian, and Spanish; other languages will be added.

Why should your organisation join us?

By taking part you will be:
bringing your trials to a wider audience
taking part in a worldwide collaboration
helping to provide a service to science and to the public
joining the growing movement in favour of greater openness about ongoing controlled trials

From October 2002, an annual charge will be made to organisations contributing to the mRCT for processing, indexing, and ensuring that their register is continuously available via this site. The amount relates to the number of trials held within each register. If you would like to know more, please read on... or contact info@controlled-trials.com.

What do we need?
Specified information on each trial
All participating organisations are asked to submit specified data items. Click here to see a full list of those items that are thought essential to help clinicians, researchers, patients and the public to identify trials of interest. We would not reject trial registers that were unable to offer the complete list, but do hope that organisations will gradually work towards including this information, so that there is consistency of content across all the trial records.

Trials information in an electronic format
All registers are provided to us in an electronic format (usually as a file attached to an email message). There are many ways to go about this, and many ways in which we can help...

Your acceptance of certain responsibilities
With the help of the Medical Research Council (UK) we have drawn up a Memorandum of Understanding which summarises the responsibilities of research funders and others who provide information to the mRCT, and also the responsibilities of Current Controlled Trials in hosting that information. Organisations who participate in the mRCT are asked to accept these responsibilities.

Why should you apply for International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Numbers (ISRCTNs)?
The ISRCTN scheme aims to simplify trial identification by providing a unique number for individual randomised controlled trials. By assigning ISRCTNs to your randomised controlled trials you will be part of an international effort to:

• identify all trials clearly and prevent mistaken identity
• detect duplication within and between registers
• detect multiple reports from the same trial
• help in tracking a trial throughout its life cycle

How can we help?
Already have an online register?
We are able to handle files in many different formats. We would consult you on how your records are stored and then explore the best method of transfer.

Considering how to set out your register?
We have prepared some 'empty' electronic forms (for example, Access database and Excel spreadsheet) into which you can enter the data items required for each trial to build your register. We can send the forms to you by email.

Limited resources?
We could explore with you the possibility of going directly to your website and 'taking' the information currently displayed, with your permission.

No online or electronic register available yet?
We would be pleased to develop your register for you. This would be offered as an ongoing service for an appropriate fee.

If you would like to discuss these or any other aspects of contributing to the mRCT, please contact us.

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