research help.com

Questions? Call 1-866-445-7033 (US) or 02890 554000 (UK)

Participant Information
Safety in Clinical Studies
Participation Process
Activities & Entertainment
After the Clinical Study
Frequently Asked Questions
Celerion Blog
Refer-A-Friend Program
Participant Rights
Participant Responsibilities
Glossary of Terms
Additional Resources
Belfast Staff
Lincoln Staff
Phoenix Staff
Privacy Policy

clinical research facility in phoenix arizona

Belfast, Northern Ireland UK
Lincoln, Nebraska USA

Clinical Trials in Phoenix, Arizona USA

Celerion first opened a clinical facility in Phoenix, Arizona in 1985 and moved into its current location in 2008. Celerion’s facility on 2420 W Baseline Road in Tempe, Arizona is centrally located allowing for easy access from all parts of the Phoenix Valley.

Last year, over 2,600 participants took part in clinical research studies in Phoenix and we continue to recruit new participants every day for upcoming studies. For more information on our studies visit Find a Clinical Study .

If you have any more questions, please Contact Us today!

* Stipend may pay up to reflected amount.

Make An Impact With Clinical Trials!

About Celerion
Mission, Vision & Credo
Corporate Website
Phoenix, Arizona USA

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

Knowledge Base

Methodology

Research Methods | Definitions, Types, Examples

Research methods are specific procedures for collecting and analyzing data. Developing your research methods is an integral part of your research design . When planning your methods, there are two key decisions you will make.

First, decide how you will collect data . Your methods depend on what type of data you need to answer your research question :

Qualitative vs. quantitative : Will your data take the form of words or numbers?
Primary vs. secondary : Will you collect original data yourself, or will you use data that has already been collected by someone else?
Descriptive vs. experimental : Will you take measurements of something as it is, or will you perform an experiment?

Second, decide how you will analyze the data .

For quantitative data, you can use statistical analysis methods to test relationships between variables.
For qualitative data, you can use methods such as thematic analysis to interpret patterns and meanings in the data.

Methods for collecting data, examples of data collection methods, methods for analyzing data, examples of data analysis methods, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research methods.

Data is the information that you collect for the purposes of answering your research question . The type of data you need depends on the aims of your research.

Qualitative vs. quantitative data

Your choice of qualitative or quantitative data collection depends on the type of knowledge you want to develop.

For questions about ideas, experiences and meanings, or to study something that can’t be described numerically, collect qualitative data .

If you want to develop a more mechanistic understanding of a topic, or your research involves hypothesis testing , collect quantitative data .


Qualitative		to broader populations. .
Quantitative		.

You can also take a mixed methods approach , where you use both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Primary vs. secondary research

Primary research is any original data that you collect yourself for the purposes of answering your research question (e.g. through surveys , observations and experiments ). Secondary research is data that has already been collected by other researchers (e.g. in a government census or previous scientific studies).

If you are exploring a novel research question, you’ll probably need to collect primary data . But if you want to synthesize existing knowledge, analyze historical trends, or identify patterns on a large scale, secondary data might be a better choice.


Primary	.	methods.
Secondary

Descriptive vs. experimental data

In descriptive research , you collect data about your study subject without intervening. The validity of your research will depend on your sampling method .

In experimental research , you systematically intervene in a process and measure the outcome. The validity of your research will depend on your experimental design .

To conduct an experiment, you need to be able to vary your independent variable , precisely measure your dependent variable, and control for confounding variables . If it’s practically and ethically possible, this method is the best choice for answering questions about cause and effect.


Descriptive		. .
Experimental

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

Academic style
Vague sentences
Style consistency

See an example

Research methods for collecting data
Research method	Primary or secondary?	Qualitative or quantitative?	When to use
	Primary	Quantitative	To test cause-and-effect relationships.
	Primary	Quantitative	To understand general characteristics of a population.
Interview/focus group	Primary	Qualitative	To gain more in-depth understanding of a topic.
Observation	Primary	Either	To understand how something occurs in its natural setting.
	Secondary	Either	To situate your research in an existing body of work, or to evaluate trends within a research topic.
	Either	Either	To gain an in-depth understanding of a specific group or context, or when you don’t have the resources for a large study.

Your data analysis methods will depend on the type of data you collect and how you prepare it for analysis.

Data can often be analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. For example, survey responses could be analyzed qualitatively by studying the meanings of responses or quantitatively by studying the frequencies of responses.

Qualitative analysis methods

Qualitative analysis is used to understand words, ideas, and experiences. You can use it to interpret data that was collected:

From open-ended surveys and interviews , literature reviews , case studies , ethnographies , and other sources that use text rather than numbers.
Using non-probability sampling methods .

Qualitative analysis tends to be quite flexible and relies on the researcher’s judgement, so you have to reflect carefully on your choices and assumptions and be careful to avoid research bias .

Quantitative analysis methods

Quantitative analysis uses numbers and statistics to understand frequencies, averages and correlations (in descriptive studies) or cause-and-effect relationships (in experiments).

You can use quantitative analysis to interpret data that was collected either:

During an experiment .
Using probability sampling methods .

Because the data is collected and analyzed in a statistically valid way, the results of quantitative analysis can be easily standardized and shared among researchers.

Research methods for analyzing data
Research method	Qualitative or quantitative?	When to use
	Quantitative	To analyze data collected in a statistically valid manner (e.g. from experiments, surveys, and observations).
Meta-analysis	Quantitative	To statistically analyze the results of a large collection of studies. Can only be applied to studies that collected data in a statistically valid manner.
	Qualitative	To analyze data collected from interviews, , or textual sources. To understand general themes in the data and how they are communicated.
	Either	To analyze large volumes of textual or visual data collected from surveys, literature reviews, or other sources. Can be quantitative (i.e. frequencies of words) or qualitative (i.e. meanings of words).

If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Chi square test of independence
Statistical power
Descriptive statistics
Degrees of freedom
Pearson correlation
Null hypothesis
Double-blind study
Case-control study
Research ethics
Data collection
Hypothesis testing
Structured interviews

Research bias

Hawthorne effect
Unconscious bias
Recall bias
Halo effect
Self-serving bias
Information bias

Quantitative research deals with numbers and statistics, while qualitative research deals with words and meanings.

Quantitative methods allow you to systematically measure variables and test hypotheses . Qualitative methods allow you to explore concepts and experiences in more detail.

In mixed methods research , you use both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods to answer your research question .

A sample is a subset of individuals from a larger population . Sampling means selecting the group that you will actually collect data from in your research. For example, if you are researching the opinions of students in your university, you could survey a sample of 100 students.

In statistics, sampling allows you to test a hypothesis about the characteristics of a population.

The research methods you use depend on the type of data you need to answer your research question .

If you want to measure something or test a hypothesis , use quantitative methods . If you want to explore ideas, thoughts and meanings, use qualitative methods .
If you want to analyze a large amount of readily-available data, use secondary data. If you want data specific to your purposes with control over how it is generated, collect primary data.
If you want to establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables , use experimental methods. If you want to understand the characteristics of a research subject, use descriptive methods.

Methodology refers to the overarching strategy and rationale of your research project . It involves studying the methods used in your field and the theories or principles behind them, in order to develop an approach that matches your objectives.

Methods are the specific tools and procedures you use to collect and analyze data (for example, experiments, surveys , and statistical tests ).

In shorter scientific papers, where the aim is to report the findings of a specific study, you might simply describe what you did in a methods section .

In a longer or more complex research project, such as a thesis or dissertation , you will probably include a methodology section , where you explain your approach to answering the research questions and cite relevant sources to support your choice of methods.

Is this article helpful?

Other students also liked, writing strong research questions | criteria & examples.

What Is a Research Design | Types, Guide & Examples
Data Collection | Definition, Methods & Examples

Get unlimited documents corrected

✔ Free APA citation check included ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

Election 2024
Entertainment
Newsletters
Photography
AP Buyline Personal Finance
AP Buyline Shopping
Press Releases
Israel-Hamas War
Russia-Ukraine War
Global elections
Asia Pacific
Latin America
Middle East
Delegate Tracker
AP & Elections
2024 Paris Olympic Games
Auto Racing
Movie reviews
Book reviews
Financial Markets
Business Highlights
Financial wellness
Artificial Intelligence
Social Media

Software upgrades for Hyundai, Kia help cut theft rates, new HLDI research finds

Copy Link copied

Anti-theft software upgrades provided for Hyundai and Kia vehicles regularly targeted by thieves has cut theft rates by more than half, according to new research from the Highway Loss Data Institute.

Theft rates of the affected automobiles soared after thieves discovered that certain car models lacked engine immobilizers, an anti-theft technology that has long been standard in other vehicles. Thieves used a technique popularized on TikTok and other social media platforms to take the vehicles.

The software upgrade started in February 2023 after numerous theft claims that began during the Covid-19 pandemic.

For vehicles that have the new software installed, the automobile will only start if the owner’s key or an identical duplicate is in the ignition. Vehicles with the software also receive a window sticker aimed at deterring potential thieves.

Approximately two dozen 2011-22 Hyundai and Kia models are eligible for the software upgrade. Those vehicles that received it as of December 2023 — a total of 30% of the eligible Hyundais and 28% of the eligible Kias in HLDI’s database — had theft claim frequencies that were 53% lower than vehicles that didn’t get the upgrade, according to HLDI.

Those claims aren’t all for thefts of the entire vehicle. They also include claims for damage to vehicles that were stolen and recovered, theft of vehicle parts and items stolen from inside the vehicle. The frequency of whole vehicle theft, which HLDI calculates by matching the cost of the claim to the amount insurers pay for the same model if it’s totaled in a crash, fell by a larger 64% for vehicles with the upgrade.

The HLDI study ended in December. The organization said that Hyundai and Kia have continued to implement software upgrades in vehicles since that time. The automakers have said that about 60% of eligible vehicles had been upgraded as of last month.

The HLDI said that the frequency of theft claims for the Hyundai and Kia vehicles remains high, even for models with the new software. The organization believes one of the reasons for this may be that the software-based immobilizer only activates if the driver remembers to lock the vehicle with a fob, while many people are in the habit of using the switch on the door handle.

Unfortunately we don't fully support your browser. If you have the option to, please upgrade to a newer version or use Mozilla Firefox , Microsoft Edge , Google Chrome , or Safari 14 or newer. If you are unable to, and need support, please send us your feedback .

We'd appreciate your feedback. Tell us what you think! opens in new tab/window

Resources for researchers

Expert guidance and resources to help you advance your research and authorship. Use our services and products to inspire your work, help find collaborators, improve grant proposals, get published, promote your research, track your influence and more.

Woman studying seen through a computer screen

Inspire your research and stay up to date

Develop your research strategy and ideas with these freely available resources.

Read open access articles opens in new tab/window

Read Nobel Prize papers

Connect with peers prior to publication (SSRN)

Browse calls for papers opens in new tab/window

Learn about research design opens in new tab/window

Expand your research career network and find collaborators

Use our tools & services to explore new career connections based on your research interests.

Use free Scopus tools to find collaborators

Connect with peers prior to publication (SSRN)

Learn about succeeding with research collaborations opens in new tab/window

Prepare your research proposal and secure funding

Improve your grant application skills with these online lectures and interactive courses.

Webinar: Creating a research data management plan opens in new tab/window

Webinar: Successful grant writing — and get it right opens in new tab/window

Webinar: How to secure funding opens in new tab/window

Webinar: Funding hacks for researchers opens in new tab/window

Accelerate your research productivity and discover more

Take advantage of these resources as you do your research.

Learn more about our researcher databases

Get the free Mendeley Reference Manager opens in new tab/window

Preview Scopus for free opens in new tab/window

Get the free Reaxys ReactionFlash app

Get support as you write your research

Explore resources & services for helping you polish your work before you submit for publication.

Learn about journal article & book writing for research and academia opens in new tab/window

Read about graphical abstracts

Read about our editing services opens in new tab/window

Read about our language translation services opens in new tab/window

Read about publishing ethics for authors

Get published and maximize your impact through a top-quality publication

We offer you support throughout the publication process, from identifying the best journal for your work, to making the most of the peer review process.

Identify journals best suited for your research opens in new tab/window

Get guidance and resources for journal publishing with Elsevier

Read about our open access publishing options

Explore our book publishing options

Learn about publishing fundamentals, ethics, open science and more opens in new tab/window

Share your work and track your research influence

Get support throughout the publication process, from identifying the best journal for your work, to making the most of the peer review process.

Read about getting credit for your research data and code and making it FAIR

Download the flyer: Getting your research noticed opens in new tab/window

Explore tools & resources for tracking your impact

Use free Scopus resources to optimize your Author profile and understand your metrics

Learn about communicating your research opens in new tab/window

Related resources

Illustration of human hand with a megaphone surrounded by media icons

Nine free resources to promote your research

Helping you towards the right choice for your next paper

Women in research - Elsevier's perspective

Enhance your knowledge, test your skills, earn badges and certificates.

A Blood Test Accurately Diagnosed Alzheimer’s 90% of the Time, Study Finds

It was much more accurate than primary care doctors using cognitive tests and CT scans. The findings could speed the quest for an affordable and accessible way to diagnose patients with memory problems.

A microscopic image in green and orange showing a nerve cell of a person’s brain, with the cytoplasm in orange and the protein tau tangled in a green swirl.

By Pam Belluck

Scientists have made another major stride toward the long-sought goal of diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease with a simple blood test . On Sunday, a team of researchers reported that a blood test was significantly more accurate than doctors’ interpretation of cognitive tests and CT scans in signaling the condition.

The study , published Sunday in the journal JAMA, found that about 90 percent of the time the blood test correctly identified whether patients with memory problems had Alzheimer’s. Dementia specialists using standard methods that did not include expensive PET scans or invasive spinal taps were accurate 73 percent of the time, while primary care doctors using those methods got it right only 61 percent of the time.

“Not too long ago measuring pathology in the brain of a living human was considered just impossible,” said Dr. Jason Karlawish, a co-director of the Penn Memory Center at the University of Pennsylvania who was not involved in the research. “This study adds to the revolution that has occurred in our ability to measure what’s going on in the brain of living humans.”

The results, presented Sunday at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Philadelphia, are the latest milestone in the search for affordable and accessible ways to diagnose Alzheimer’s, a disease that afflicts nearly seven million Americans and over 32 million people worldwide. Medical experts say the findings bring the field closer to a day when people might receive routine blood tests for cognitive impairment as part of primary care checkups, similar to the way they receive cholesterol tests.

“Now, we screen people with mammograms and PSA or prostate exams and other things to look for very early signs of cancer,” said Dr. Adam Boxer, a neurologist at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in the study. “And I think we’re going to be doing the same thing for Alzheimer’s disease and hopefully other forms of neurodegeneration.”

In recent years, several blood tests have been developed for Alzheimer’s. They are currently used mostly to screen participants in clinical trials and by some specialists like Dr. Boxer to help pinpoint if a patient’s dementia is caused by Alzheimer’s or another condition.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber? Log in .

Want all of The Times? Subscribe .

Hindenburg alleges India market regulator chief held stake in offshore funds used by Adani Group

Medium Text

Adani Enterprises Ltd Follow
Adani Group Follow
Hindenburg Research LLC Follow

Reporting by Jayshree.P. Upadhyay; Additional reporting by Ira Dugal, Neha Arora and Jahnavi Nidumolu; Editing by Jacqueline Wong, William Mallard, David Goodman and Toby Chopra

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

People walk past luxury shops on New Bond Street in London

People flee wildfire near Athens as it spreads 'like lightning'

As night fell, firefighting aircraft ceased operations until morning. Flames turned the sky orange.

Israel Defense Forces releases video of school compound mosque following strike

Utility Menu

Connect to research lifecycle tools, services, and support at Harvard

Browse by lifecycle.

Research planning concerns all aspects of preparing for a research project. It includes seeking funding, awareness of University and sponsor requirements, and the organization of data, records, tools, and/or resources needed to conduct the research and disseminate and archive valuable results.

Examples of services: Pre and Post-Award Resources , Research Data Management Lifecycle Support , Data Use Agreement Processing

Active Research →

The active research phase of a project may include collecting or acquiring data, information, or sources, conducting quantitative or qualitative analysis, and/or using computation resources, data storage, quantitative or qualitative tools, visualizations, or information exploration.

Examples of services: Storage , Cluster Computing , Research Computing Consulting and Facilitation

Research lifecycle wheel with planning and dissemination stages highlighted in green and red

Dissemination & Preservation →

Dissemination and preservation are increasingly important parts of the research lifecycle. Sponsors and journals often require that all inputs, outputs, and what tools, data, and code were used, be accessible, alongside results and conclusions.

Examples of services: Archiving Faculty Research Data & Archiving Data Support , Harvard Dataverse Curation & Support , Copyright and Intellectual Property

Browse by Service Type

Research administration and compliance →.

Harvard offers a full spectrum of resources to support and facilitate research and researcher compliance with internal and external regulations and policies. Services available include administrative reviews, consultations, guidance, and tools. Resources span the research lifecycle, including pre- and post-award services, human subject and animal research resources, data use agreement support, and research data safety resources.

Research Computing →

Research Computing at Harvard facilitates the advancement of research by providing leading-edge computing services including cluster computing, storage, software licenses, virtual instances, and software engineering. Services range from consultation and guidance to fully managed support. Guidance about working with data in compliance with Harvard's data security levels is also available from Research Computing specialists.

Research Data and Scholarship →

Researchers at Harvard generate data and scholarship that changes the world. Services across the University are available to support data creation, curation, and transformation, as well as research publishing and dissemination. Research support partners are available for consultation, providing access to existing information and tools, and exposing research through robust repositories for data and scholarly communication.

Researching Remotely?

Some research tools and tasks are equally accessible for remote and on-campus work, but others require reworking for the current COVID environment. Explore resources around the University.

Introduction
Article Information

FIP indicates International Pharmaceutical Federation.

eAppendix. Description of Methods

Data Sharing Statement

See More About

Customize your JAMA Network experience by selecting one or more topics from the list below.

Academic Medicine
Acid Base, Electrolytes, Fluids
Allergy and Clinical Immunology
American Indian or Alaska Natives
Anesthesiology
Anticoagulation
Art and Images in Psychiatry
Artificial Intelligence
Assisted Reproduction
Bleeding and Transfusion
Caring for the Critically Ill Patient
Challenges in Clinical Electrocardiography
Climate and Health
Climate Change
Clinical Challenge
Clinical Decision Support
Clinical Implications of Basic Neuroscience
Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Consensus Statements
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Critical Care Medicine
Cultural Competency
Dental Medicine
Dermatology
Diabetes and Endocrinology
Diagnostic Test Interpretation
Drug Development
Electronic Health Records
Emergency Medicine
End of Life, Hospice, Palliative Care
Environmental Health
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Facial Plastic Surgery
Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Genetics and Genomics
Genomics and Precision Health
Global Health
Guide to Statistics and Methods
Hair Disorders
Health Care Delivery Models
Health Care Economics, Insurance, Payment
Health Care Quality
Health Care Reform
Health Care Safety
Health Care Workforce
Health Disparities
Health Inequities
Health Policy
Health Systems Science
History of Medicine
Hypertension
Images in Neurology
Implementation Science
Infectious Diseases
Innovations in Health Care Delivery
JAMA Infographic
Law and Medicine
Leading Change
Less is More
LGBTQIA Medicine
Lifestyle Behaviors
Medical Coding
Medical Devices and Equipment
Medical Education
Medical Education and Training
Medical Journals and Publishing
Mobile Health and Telemedicine
Narrative Medicine
Neuroscience and Psychiatry
Notable Notes
Nutrition, Obesity, Exercise
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Occupational Health
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Otolaryngology
Pain Medicine
Palliative Care
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Patient Care
Patient Information
Performance Improvement
Performance Measures
Perioperative Care and Consultation
Pharmacoeconomics
Pharmacoepidemiology
Pharmacogenetics
Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacology
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Physical Therapy
Physician Leadership
Population Health
Primary Care
Professional Well-being
Professionalism
Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Public Health
Pulmonary Medicine
Regulatory Agencies
Reproductive Health
Research, Methods, Statistics
Resuscitation
Rheumatology
Risk Management
Scientific Discovery and the Future of Medicine
Shared Decision Making and Communication
Sleep Medicine
Sports Medicine
Stem Cell Transplantation
Substance Use and Addiction Medicine
Surgical Innovation
Surgical Pearls
Teachable Moment
Technology and Finance
The Art of JAMA
The Arts and Medicine
The Rational Clinical Examination
Tobacco and e-Cigarettes
Translational Medicine
Trauma and Injury
Treatment Adherence
Ultrasonography
Users' Guide to the Medical Literature
Vaccination
Venous Thromboembolism
Veterans Health
Women's Health
Workflow and Process
Wound Care, Infection, Healing

Get the latest research based on your areas of interest.

Others also liked.

Download PDF
X Facebook More LinkedIn

Ashraf AR , Mackey TK , Schmidt J, et al. Safety and Risk Assessment of No-Prescription Online Semaglutide Purchases. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(8):e2428280. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.28280

Manage citations:

Permissions

Safety and Risk Assessment of No-Prescription Online Semaglutide Purchases

1 Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
2 Global Health Program, Department of Anthropology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla
3 Global Health Policy and Data Institute, San Diego, California
4 S-3 Research, San Diego, California
5 Institute of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
6 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

The popularity of branded semaglutide is surging, with widespread media coverage, viral social media exposure, and celebrity endorsements. 1 Although Wegovy (Novo Nordisk) is approved for long-term weight management, Ozempic (Novo Nordisk) (only approved for type 2 diabetes) is often used off-label for this purpose. Global regulatory agencies, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency, and World Health Organization (WHO), have warned about fake versions driven by patient demand, high cost, and shortages. Illegal online pharmacies, which operate without valid licenses and sell medicines like semaglutide without prescription, represent a consumer risk for ineffective and dangerous products.

In this qualitative study, we conducted risk assessment of semaglutide online sourcing ( Figure and eAppendix in Supplement 1 ). We followed the SRQR reporting guideline.

First, we conducted structured searches on Google and Bing to catalog websites advertising semaglutide without a prescription in July 2023. Websites meeting inclusion criteria were selected for a product test buy protocol. 2 Two 0.25-mg per dose prefilled pens or equivalent semaglutide injection vials were ordered from each website. Upon product receipt, authors (A.R.A., and A.F.) used the International Pharmaceutical Federation’s (FIP) checklist for visual inspection to assess potential counterfeiting or falsification risks, compared with genuine Ozempic brand 1-mg semaglutide solution for injection in a prefilled pen. 3 Products were then tested for quality, including sterility and microbiological contamination, according to European Pharmacopoeia and US Pharmacopeia guidelines. Quantification of active ingredients was performed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Test purchases and analytical testing were performed August from 2023 to March 2024.

Search engine monitoring generated 1080 hyperlinks, with 317 (29.35%) for online pharmacies. Nearly one-half (134 sites [42.27%]) belonged to illegal pharmacy operations; 763 links were websites not offering products for sale, including 615 news and informational websites and 148 telemedicine websites requiring consultation to obtain prescription before purchase.

Six online vendors classified as not recommended or rogue by LegitScript and/or National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and offering parenteral semaglutide products were included in test buys. Three websites offered prefilled 0.25-mg per dose semaglutide injection pens, and 3 sold vials of lyophilized semaglutide to be reconstituted to solution for injection (1-3 mg). All vendors referred to weight loss and obesity on their product page. Prices for the smallest dose and quantity ranged from US $113 to $360 (mean [SD], US $218.5 [$93.6]) ( Table ).

Test purchases were confirmed via email and WhatsApp. Of 6 products purchased, only 3 were received. Three vendors selling Ozempic injections engaged in nondelivery scams requesting extra payments (range, US $650-$1200) to purportedly clear customs, confirmed as fraudulent by customs agencies. Although genuine Ozempic scored the full 22 points on the FIP checklist, test purchased products scored 8 or 9 with clear discrepancies in regulatory registration information, accurate labeling, and evidence products were likely unregistered or unlicensed.

Upon quality testing, one sample had elevated presence of endotoxin (8.95 EU/mg) indicating possible contamination, although no viable microorganisms were detected. LC-MS revealed the presence of semaglutide in all samples, but with considerably lower purity levels (7%-14% vs advertised 99%). The measured semaglutide content substantially exceeded the labeled amount in each sample by 29% to 39%, meaning that users could receive up to 39% more semaglutide per injection. These risk factors indicate likely falsification that does not meet legitimate product quality standards.

This qualitative study found that semaglutide products are actively being sold without prescription by illegal online pharmacies, with vendors shipping unregistered and falsified products. Two websites evaluated were sent FDA warning letters for unlawful sale of unapproved and misbranded semaglutide. 4 , 5 US poison centers have reported a 1500% increase in calls related to semaglutide, highlighting the need for enhanced pharmacovigilance including for online sourcing harms. 6 Study limitations include limited sample of products tested due to nondelivery scams. Furthermore, although tested products represent some accessible semaglutide products sold online, higher priced offerings were excluded, limiting generalizability of the findings.

Accepted for Publication: June 21, 2024.

Published: August 2, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.28280

Corresponding Author: Tim K. Mackey, MAS, PhD, Global Health Program, Department of Anthropology, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, MC 0505, La Jolla, CA 92093 ( [email protected] ).

Author Contributions: Dr Ashraf had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Concept and design: Ashraf, Mackey, Vida, Li, Fittler.

Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: All authors.

Drafting of the manuscript: Ashraf, Mackey, Kulcsár, Vida, Fittler.

Critical review of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Ashraf, Mackey, Schmidt, Kulcsár, Li, Fittler.

Statistical analysis: Ashraf, Kulcsár, Li.

Obtained funding: Mackey, Fittler.

Administrative, technical, or material support: Ashraf, Mackey, Vida, Li.

Supervision: Mackey, Fittler.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Mr Schmidt reported receiving grant TKP2021-EGA-17 from the Hungarian National Research, Development and Innovation Office outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.

Funding/Support: The research was supported by the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (grant NKFI-ID 143684).

Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The funder had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Data Sharing Statement: See Supplement 2 .

Additional Contributions: The research was performed in collaboration with Mass Spectrometry Core Facility at the Szentágothai Research Centre of the University of Pécs.

Register for email alerts with links to free full-text articles
Access PDFs of free articles
Manage your interests
Save searches and receive search alerts

Iran is targeting the U.S. election with fake news sites and cyber operations, research says

Iran is stepping up its influence campaign aimed at the U.S., researchers at Microsoft said in a new report , adding to the ongoing efforts by Russia and China to sway American public opinion before the presidential election.

Researchers identified websites that they attributed to the Iranian operation, aimed at voters on the political left and right. One website, Nio Thinker, bills itself as “your go-to destination for insightful, progressive news and analysis that challenges the status quo” and hosts articles that bash former President Donald Trump and hail Vice President Kamala Harris as “our unexpected, awkward savior.”

Another site identified by researchers, Savannah Time, poses as a voicey conservative local alt-weekly. “We’re opinionated, we’re noisy, and we’re having a good time,” the about section of the site says. It hosts articles claiming to be written by “the spokeswoman for the International League for Women’s Rights,” arguing for more modest Olympics beach volleyball bathing suits, next to articles lauding Iran’s military might.

The Microsoft Threat Analysis Center noted the sites were likely using artificial intelligence tools to lift content from legitimate U.S. news publications and repackage articles in a way that hides the content’s source.

The group behind the sites, according to Microsoft, is part of a larger Iranian operation, active since 2020, that operates more than a dozen other fake news sites targeting English-, French-, Spanish- and Arabic-speaking audiences. The campaign has not found significant success with a U.S. audience, and the sites’ content has not been shared widely on social media, according to the researchers. But researchers say the sites could be used closer to the election.

Beyond the effort to sow controversy and divide Americans before the vote, researchers said another group linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted a “high-ranking official on a presidential campaign” in June with a spear-phishing email from a compromised email account of a former senior adviser and attempted to access an account belonging to “a former presidential candidate.” The report did not name the people who had been targeted.

Iran’s United Nations mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment but denied the reports of meddling in a statement to The Associated Press : “Iran has been the victim of numerous offensive cyber operations targeting its infrastructure, public service centers, and industries. Iran’s cyber capabilities are defensive and proportionate to the threats it faces. Iran has neither the intention nor plans to launch cyber attacks. The U.S. presidential election is an internal matter in which Iran does not interfere.”

Microsoft’s report also noted continued activity by Russia, including an operation by a group researchers call Storm-1516 , which produces propaganda videos in support of Trump and Russian interests and distributes them through a network of fake news websites connected to a former U.S. police officer. China-linked actors, the report said, had also pivoted increasingly to spreading propaganda via video and had leveraged a network of online accounts to stoke outrage around pro-Palestinian university protests.

The researchers reported an expectation that Iran, along with China and Russia, would intensify cyberattacks against candidates and institutions and increase efforts to divide Americans with propaganda and disinformation in the run-up to the election.

Brandy Zadrozny is a senior reporter for NBC News. She covers misinformation, extremism and the internet.

IMAGES

Home
Get Research Help
Thesis Writing Service from Expert PhD Writers
Research Help Tutorials
Book Research Assistance
Research tips

COMMENTS

Celerion: Leaders In Clinical Trials & Research Studies
Participate in a clinical study, and help people in your community and around the world. Get Started. Questions? Call 1-866-445-7033 (US) or 02890 554000 (UK) Learn about participating in clinical trials with Celerion at one of our three research centers. Find studies and help contribute to medical advancements.
View Upcoming Clinical Trials & Studies
Available studies are listed below and are updated throughout the day. To review study specifics you can click on the 'More Info' button on the right. To pre-register for the study, t the Customer Care Center at 1-866-445-7033 (US) or 02890 554000 (UK). now has a new on-line process, Celerion eReg Portal, for participants to register for studies.
Clinical Trials in Phoenix, Arizona USA
Make An Impact With Clinical Trials! Participate in a clinical study, and help people in your community and around the world. Questions? Call 1-866-445-7033 (US) or 02890 554000 (UK) Celerion first opened a clinical facility in Phoenix, AZ in 1985. Learn more about clinical trials at our Phoenix facility and sign up to participate in a clinical ...
ResearchMatch
ResearchMatch helps you find a clinical trial or research study near you, or across the country, by matching you with researchers from leading medical research institutions. Whether you are a healthy volunteer or have a health condition, ResearchMatch connects you to research opportunities so you can make a difference and advance scientific discoveries by participating in research studies ...
Scribbr Knowledge Base
We help you avoid plagiarism by citing your sources correctly and consistently. ... The Scribbr Knowledge Base is a collection of free resources to help you succeed in academic research, writing, and citation. Every week, we publish helpful step-by-step guides, clear examples, simple templates, engaging videos, and more.
Scribbr
Help you achieve your academic goals. Whether we're proofreading and editing, checking for plagiarism or AI content, generating citations, or writing useful Knowledge Base articles, our aim is to support students on their journey to become better academic writers. We believe that every student should have the right tools for academic success.
How to Write a Research Paper
Choose a research paper topic. Conduct preliminary research. Develop a thesis statement. Create a research paper outline. Write a first draft of the research paper. Write the introduction. Write a compelling body of text. Write the conclusion. The second draft.
How to Find Sources
Research databases. You can search for scholarly sources online using databases and search engines like Google Scholar. These provide a range of search functions that can help you to find the most relevant sources. If you are searching for a specific article or book, include the title or the author's name. Alternatively, if you're just ...
Research Methods
Research methods are specific procedures for collecting and analyzing data. Developing your research methods is an integral part of your research design. When planning your methods, there are two key decisions you will make. First, decide how you will collect data. Your methods depend on what type of data you need to answer your research question:
Google Scholar Search Help
Search Help. Get the most out of Google Scholar with some helpful tips on searches, email alerts, citation export, and more. Your search results are normally sorted by relevance, not by date. To find newer articles, try the following options in the left sidebar: click the envelope icon to have new results periodically delivered by email.
ResearchGate
Access 160+ million publications and connect with 25+ million researchers. Join for free and gain visibility by uploading your research.
How to Improve Your Research Skills: 6 Research Tips
How to Improve Your Research Skills: 6 Research Tips. Written by MasterClass. Last updated: Aug 18, 2021 • 3 min read. Whether you're writing a blog post or a short story, you'll likely reach a point in your first draft where you don't have enough information to go forward—and that's where research comes in.
Research challenges conventional wisdom on wet surface adhesion
Dec. 2, 2019 — New research finds the missing link between soft surface adhesion and the roughness of the hard surface it touches. The key to this foundational discovery is a close look at the ...
Software upgrades for Hyundai, Kia help cut theft rates, new HLDI
Anti-theft software upgrades provided for Hyundai and Kia vehicles regularly targeted by thieves has cut theft rates by more than half, according to new research from the Highway Loss Data Institute.. Theft rates of the affected automobiles soared after thieves discovered that certain car models lacked engine immobilizers, an anti-theft technology that has long been standard in other vehicles.
10 Best Online Academic Research Tools and Resources
3. Library of Congress. As the largest library in the world, the Library of Congress is an amazing online resource for academic research. Students can search its collections to access digital resources, videos, audio recordings, photographs, and maps. The library's materials also include notated music, web archives, legislation, and 3D objects.
Resources for Researchers
Resources for researchers. Expert guidance and resources to help you advance your research and authorship. Use our services and products to inspire your work, help find collaborators, improve grant proposals, get published, promote your research, track your influence and more.
Google Scholar
About Scholar Search help. Google Scholar provides a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature. Search across a wide variety of disciplines and sources: articles, theses, books, abstracts and court opinions. Advanced search. Find articles. with all of the words. with the exact phrase. with at ...
New Orleans doctor develops program to help smokers quit
Tell me about your statewide research on tobacco cessation with pregnant and postpartum smokers. The project was designed to develop an intervention to help pregnant and postpartum smokers quit.
A Blood Test Accurately Diagnosed Alzheimer's 90% of the Time, Study
They are currently used mostly to screen participants in clinical trials and by some specialists like Dr. Boxer to help pinpoint if a patient's dementia is caused by Alzheimer's or another ...
Bank of America CEO says research team 'does not have any recession
"Our team is a great team at Bank of America Research; [it] does not have any recession predicted anymore," Moynihan said. "Last year, this time, it was a recession." ...
ResearchGate Help Center
ResearchGate Help Center. Search. Categories. Getting Started Profile Account Settings Research & Publications Labs Q&A Stats Mobile Apps Community Marketing Solutions Hiring on ResearchGate Publishers Reporting content on ResearchGate ...
Hindenburg alleges India market regulator chief held stake in offshore
U.S. based short-seller Hindenburg Research alleged on Saturday that the head of India's market regulator, Madhabi Puri Buch, previously held investments in offshore funds also used by the Adani ...
How do teens quit vaping? Some simply send a text for help, new ...
About 43% of the study participants were LGBTQ+ adolescents, for instance, and research suggests that LGBTQ+ young people smoke and vape at a higher prevalence than their non-LGBTQ+ peers.
Research Support at Harvard
Research Computing at Harvard facilitates the advancement of research by providing leading-edge computing services including cluster computing, storage, software licenses, virtual instances, and software engineering. Services range from consultation and guidance to fully managed support. Guidance about working with data in compliance with ...
Safety and Risk Assessment of No-Prescription Online Semaglutide
The popularity of branded semaglutide is surging, with widespread media coverage, viral social media exposure, and celebrity endorsements. 1 Although Wegovy (Novo Nordisk) is approved for long-term weight management, Ozempic (Novo Nordisk) (only approved for type 2 diabetes) is often used off-label for this purpose. Global regulatory agencies, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA ...
Research Online Degrees & Colleges That Fit You Best!
Social scientists use research-backed evidence to assist groups in making better-informed decisions. For instance, the U.K. government halted social distancing rules in March 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, because of their theory of 'behavioral fatigue' (Hahn et al., 2020). This exemplifies how research is used to help society...
Iran is targeting the U.S. election with fake news sites and cyber
Iran is stepping up its influence campaign aimed at the U.S., researchers at Microsoft said in a new report, adding to the ongoing efforts by Russia and China to sway American public opinion ...
Trump allies crush misinformation research ahead of election, despite
The ranks of misinformation researchers swelled following the 2016 elections, amid revelations that Russia had stoked divisions online to help elect Trump. Researchers rooted out attempts by ...
About Us
Research.com is a leading educational platform that helps students find the best schools, academic opportunities, and career paths. We provide a wide range of comprehensive, well-researched, data-driven guides and resources prepared by a team of experts that work together to answer your questions and help you make informed decisions.
PDF Global Macro ISSUE 129
This research, and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Australian Corporations Act, unless otherwise agreed by Goldman Sachs. In producing research reports, members of Global Investment Research of Goldman Sachs Australia may attend site visits and other meetings hosted by the companies and other