A clinical trial is a research study where experts study potential treatments. The treatments might be new drugs or devices.Clinical trials in Florida can be tested on Floridians who receive compensation and are monitored for safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are scientific studies using human volunteers that determine the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of an intervention. Clinical trials are research, not proven treatment. This page provides information, tools, and resources about the definition of a clinical trial. Clinical trials are important medical research studies that can ultimately advance the standard of care for all individuals who face cancer. What is a clinical trial? All clinical research sites are provided study-related medications and medical devices for trials. For example, in a randomized trial of a new drug therapy, half the people might be randomly assigned to a new drug and the other half to the standard treatment.