Define "data management" in clinical research.

Data management in clinical research involves a comprehensive approach to handling the data generated throughout a clinical trial. This encompasses several key activities: planning how data will be gathered, ensuring the collection process is systematic and reliable, processing the data to prepare it for analysis, and finally analyzing the data to draw conclusions and make informed decisions based on the findings.

This definition is crucial because it highlights that data management is not just about collecting data or storing it; it includes a structured methodology that ensures the quality and integrity of the data at every step. Proper data management is essential for conducting rigorous clinical research, as it directly affects the validity of the trial results and the safety and efficacy assessments of new treatments or interventions. The comprehensive nature of this process is what distinguishes it from simpler definitions that may focus on only one aspect, such as data collection or storage.