investigator

Meaning of investigator: An investigator is the researcher responsible for designing, conducting, or overseeing a clinical trial or research study.

Definition of investigator

An investigator is a researcher responsible for conducting a clinical trial or research study, including overseeing how the study is carried out and ensuring that it follows its approved plan. A study may have a single investigator or a team, and a principal investigator holds overall responsibility for the conduct of the research at a given site.

Investigators are responsible for a range of duties, including enrolling participants according to the study's criteria, collecting and reporting data accurately, monitoring participant safety, and ensuring that the study is conducted in accordance with applicable ethical and regulatory requirements. In studies conducted at multiple locations, each site typically has its own investigator overseeing activities at that location.

The investigator's responsibilities are distinct from those of a study sponsor, the organization or entity that funds and holds overall responsibility for a clinical trial.