CRO Checklist
Choosing the Right Research Partner
Whether you’re running your first clinical study or have done it numerous times before, the CRO you choose will make or break your success. The right partner ensures your study runs smoothly, your data is credible, and your investment pays off.
The goal of this checklist is simple: to set your research up for success. Use it as a guide to evaluate any CRO you’re considering, whether that’s Citruslabs or another provider, so you can choose a partner who delivers credible results and supports your brand’s long-term growth.
CRO Type
The type of CRO you choose determines how hands-on your team needs to be, how flexible your study design can become, and how efficiently your research will run. Evaluating these options early helps ensure you partner with an organization that matches your brand’s operational style, resources, and growth goals.
Full-Service vs. Self-Service
Does the CRO handle logistics like shipping products, compliance tracking, and data collection, or will part of that fall on your team? A full-service partner streamlines the process and reduces the burden on your brand, so you can stay focused on your product and business goals.
Decentralized vs. On-Site
Is the study conducted at physical sites, or can it be run remotely with participants in their own environments? Decentralized studies are often more flexible and cost-effective while still offering the same level of scientific rigor as on-site trials, making them a strong option for many wellness and consumer health brands.
Hybrid Designs
Can the CRO support hybrid (on‑site + decentralized) models? Hybrid designs combine rigor with speed and cost advantages.
Study Design
The foundation of every successful study is the design. If the design isn’t solid, the results won’t be credible or usable, no matter how well the later phases are managed. A strong design ensures your research questions are answered, your claims are supported, and your investment pays off.
Custom vs. Template Studies
Is the CRO tailoring their studies to your product, research questions, and the claims you’d like to achieve, or is it based on a generic template? Custom designs yield stronger, more relevant insights. Templated studies can be cheaper, but don't always address the main research question you are trying to figure out.
Endpoints & Measurements
Are the chosen outcomes (subjective and objective) aligned with your product’s benefits and feasible to measure within the study duration? A strong CRO will work with you to identify the right endpoints so the results are both scientifically valid and directly relevant to your product claims.
Methodologies & Data
What types of data are collected, both objective (e.g., blood, stool, saliva, urine, before-and-after photos) and subjective (e.g., participant-reported outcomes, perception questionnaires, quality-of-life scales)? A strong CRO will help you combine both approaches, ensuring the data is not only scientifically valid but also directly reflective of the consumer experience.
Power & Sample Size
Will a biostatistician determine sample size and power for your endpoints? This is foundational to credible claims. You don’t want to overpower or underpower your study.
Validated Instruments
Are validated questionnaires/scales used (e.g., sleep, stress, QoL) where relevant? A strong CRO will rely on validated tools to ensure your results are credible, comparable, and defensible.
Randomization & Blinding
Is there a plan for randomization, blinding, and allocation concealment where appropriate? These methods minimize bias and strengthen the scientific integrity of your study.
Regulatory & Publication Readiness
Is the study designed in a way that could meet IRB requirements and support peer-reviewed publication if that’s part of your goal? The right CRO will anticipate these needs from the start, ensuring your study is credible, compliant, and publication-ready if you choose to take that path.
Study Participants
There is no research without participants. That’s why it’s critical to understand how a CRO manages recruitment and engagement, because participants directly shape the quality, speed, and credibility of your results.
Enrollment Speed
How quickly can the CRO recruit qualified participants? Efficient recruitment minimizes delays and helps you hit product launch and marketing milestones without unnecessary setbacks.
Compensation
Does the CRO provide fair compensation to participants for their time and effort? Compensation is best practice in research. It shows respect for participants, helps maintain engagement, and supports higher retention rates.
Participant Support
Is there help‑desk/tech support for devices, eConsent, and logistics? Reliable support reduces participant frustration, improves compliance, and is a quiet but powerful driver of retention.
Identity Verification
Does the CRO have systems in place to confirm participants’ identities? Reliable identity checks safeguard data quality and prevent fraudulent enrollment.
Participant Retention
What is the retention rate? How many participants are completing the study? What strategies are used to keep participants engaged through study completion? A strong CRO will use proactive strategies to keep participants engaged, ensuring timelines stay on track and results remain meaningful. For example, Citruslabs maintains an industry-leading retention rate of 89% (11% dropout) across all studies, far better than typical CRO averages.
Data & Results
The value of a study comes down to the data. Clear ownership, transparent access, and actionable outputs determine whether your investment translates into credible claims and real-world impact for your brand.
Data Ownership
Will you own the study data at the end? A trustworthy CRO ensures the data belongs to you, so you can use it for regulatory, marketing, and future research purposes.
Data Access During the Study
Can you view raw data in real time, after the study is complete, or not at all? Ongoing access allows you to monitor progress and stay informed, rather than waiting for surprises at the end.
Standardized Devices & Tools
If wearables or trackers are used, do all participants use the same device? Standardization (e.g., the same sleep or fitness tracker) ensures consistency, making your data more reliable and comparable.
Peer-Review Potential
Is the study designed and executed in a way that could support publication in a peer-reviewed journal? A strong CRO will set you up for credibility in both the scientific and consumer-facing spaces.
Marketing Assets
Will you receive ready-to-use product claims or visuals alongside the final report? The best CROs don’t just deliver data but help translate results into powerful assets your brand can actually use.
Before/After Standards
Are photo protocols standardized (lighting, angles, devices) to keep visuals credible? Consistent standards ensure visuals are credible, comparable, and persuasive for both scientific and marketing purposes.
Compliance & Credibility
Compliance and credibility are the backbone of trustworthy research. Without ethical oversight, validated lab work, and transparent pricing, even the best-looking results can lose their value. This phase ensures your study not only produces strong data but also stands up to scrutiny.
Data Protection
How is participant data (PHI/PII) safeguarded? Look for safeguards such as HIPAA compliance, SOC certifications (SOC 1 and 2), and other data security measures to ensure sensitive information remains confidential.
IRB Approval
Is Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval included to ensure ethical and credible research? The right CRO will guide you through this process and integrate it seamlessly into your study.
Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
Does the CRO follow ICH-GCP guidelines? Adherence to GCP ensures the study is conducted ethically, the data is credible, and participant rights are protected at every step.
Biomarkers
If biomarkers are offered, are the analyses conducted in CLIA-certified labs? Using certified labs guarantees the accuracy and reliability of your results.
Audit Trails
Does the CRO maintain clear audit trails for data collection and study activities? Robust documentation creates transparency, supports regulatory compliance, and strengthens the credibility of your results.
Transparency
Is pricing clear upfront, with no hidden costs? Do you understand what’s included and what could change the price? Transparent budgeting protects you from surprises and helps you plan confidently.
Extra Value to Consider
Beyond the fundamentals of design, participants, and data, some CROs go the extra mile to add value. These factors can make the difference between simply running a study and truly leveraging it for brand growth.
Regular Updates
Will you receive consistent updates throughout the study? Transparent communication keeps you confident in progress and timelines.
Communication Tools
Does the CRO provide tools to help you translate results into consumer-friendly language, visuals, or marketing campaigns? The right support makes it easier to turn data into sales.
Industry Experience
Does the CRO have proven experience with wellness, CPG, or supplement brands specifically? Industry expertise means they’ll understand your unique challenges and goals from the start.
Access to the Research Team
Do you have direct access to the scientists, medical writers, biostatisticians, or study managers working on your project? Having an open line builds trust and ensures your questions are answered quickly.
Get the Full Checklist
The best CRO for your brand is the one that prioritizes your success, ensures your data is trustworthy, and gives you the tools to use that data effectively. Whether you choose Citruslabs or another partner, this checklist can help you make an informed decision.
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