Guidelines for Research Study Advertisements

As advertisements present the face of the institution, and are the beginning of the informed consent process to enrollment in research, they should make a good impression and be accurate, and informative. Here are some tips to help you with the creation of advertisements for your research:

• Use brief descriptions in plain language easily understandable to the general public.
• Always use a headline to draw attention to your ad.
• Be sure your headline clearly states the condition or patient group to which your study is directed in language understandable to the general public.
• Be sure to avoid making any claims regarding safety, efficacy or superiority.
• Use descriptor words for a drug or device such as 'investigational' or 'research.' Avoid words like 'new,' 'better,' or 'improved.'
• Use the names "The Mount Sinai Medical Center," "Mount Sinai School of Medicine," or "The Mount Sinai Hospital" in the advertisement as appropriate. Avoid using multiple names for the institution within the same ad.
• If using the MSSM logo in your ad, be sure to use the correct form to properly brand the institution. Please see correct forms of the logo.
• List contact phone number and e-mail if possible. Be certain the person answering the phone or e-mail is sufficiently knowledgeable about the study to respond appropriately and without undue delay.
• Be clear about what will be expected of participants. For example, time commitment, travel, special diet, and so on. This is particularly important for studies in which you are seeking healthy volunteers. At the same time, don't give away information in an ad that could bias the information received from potential subjects.
• Compensation should be stated clearly but not highlighted. (For example: Compensation provided for travel.) Do not use bold or italics when describing any compensation, and avoid words such as "FREE!"
• After you draft your ad and before submitting, ask someone not directly involved in your research and preferably without a medical background to read it. Do they understand? If so, it is likely those you wish to reach will understand it as well.

One of the most effective tools for recruiting participants for your research study is the World Wide Web. Today's patients turn to the internet soon after receiving a diagnosis and whenever they are looking for more information.

All MSSM IRB-approved research trials can be posted on www.mountsinai.org, www.mssm.edu, and www.centerwatch.org using the Clinical Trial Web Advertisement Approval System (Sinai Central) [opens new browser window].

If you have questions related to the content or format of your advertisements that are related to human subjects protection review, please contact the IRB at (212) 659-8980.