Just as clinical care has requirements for documentation, so does research. Having a contract or memorandum of understanding with research partners outside your organization can establish responsibilities and expectations of all parties, and can provide the groundwork for a solid partnership. Keeping a regulatory binder with all required forms, such as protocol versions, consents, IRB approvals, contracts and signature pages, will keep the study organized. Before beginning a trial, determine how study data will be recorded. For multicenter studies, there are often prepared case-report forms to be completed. If there aren’t any prepared forms, then create one to ensure that all data is collected and documented (time, date and recorder). Follow regulations regarding how long study documents must be maintained after the study is completed. These regulations may vary depending on the type of study, so be sure to determine this before discarding any documents. As you can see, you have many things to consider when getting involved in research. If this is your agency’s first attempt at getting involved in research, it may be beneficial for you to partner with an EMS agency that has experience with conducting research, a product manufacturer interested in testing a product or an academic institution. A seasoned investigator can guide you through what may seem like a complicated process. Eventually, as your agency gains experience, you’ll be able to take on greater responsibility in the research process.