Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Query Resolution • Double-Blind • Patient Recruitment

Inclusion Criteria

Term from Clinical Trials industry explained for recruiters

Inclusion Criteria is a set of rules that determine who can participate in a clinical trial. Think of it as a checklist that helps research teams decide if someone is right for their study. For example, a study might require participants to be a certain age, have a specific condition, or meet other health requirements. This is important because it helps ensure the study results are reliable and that the treatment being tested is safe for the right group of people. When you see this term in resumes, it often shows that the person has experience in planning studies or selecting appropriate participants for clinical research.

Examples in Resumes

Developed Inclusion Criteria and Selection Criteria for Phase III diabetes clinical trial

Reviewed and refined Inclusion Criteria for 15+ oncology studies

Collaborated with physicians to establish appropriate Inclusion Criteria and Study Entry Criteria for pediatric trials

Typical job title: "Clinical Research Associates"

Also try searching for:

Clinical Research Coordinator Clinical Trial Manager Clinical Operations Manager Clinical Research Manager Study Coordinator Clinical Project Manager

Where to Find Clinical Research Associates

Professional Organizations

Online Communities

Job Boards

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you handle situations where inclusion criteria need to be modified during an ongoing study?

Expected Answer: A strong answer should discuss the amendment process, working with IRBs/ethics committees, documenting changes, and ensuring ongoing participant safety while maintaining study integrity.

Q: Describe a time when you had to develop inclusion criteria for a complex multi-site study.

Expected Answer: Look for experience in balancing different site capabilities, coordinating with multiple stakeholders, and ensuring criteria are clear and consistently applicable across all locations.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when reviewing inclusion criteria for a new study?

Expected Answer: Should mention patient safety, study objectives, practical feasibility of recruitment, and alignment with standard medical practice.

Q: How do you ensure site staff correctly interpret and apply inclusion criteria?

Expected Answer: Should discuss training methods, creating clear documentation, providing examples, and maintaining communication channels for questions.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the difference between inclusion and exclusion criteria?

Expected Answer: Should explain that inclusion criteria define who can join a study, while exclusion criteria specify who cannot participate, even if they meet inclusion criteria.

Q: Why are inclusion criteria important in clinical trials?

Expected Answer: Should mention patient safety, data quality, regulatory requirements, and getting reliable study results.