ABSTRACT
"This book contains recommendations; guidelines and legislation concerning research carried out in the National Public Health Institute (KTL) and it also describes the practices to be followed. It comprises the most important international recommendations; Finnish laws and good practices to be followed in medical research. The book gives guidance on the preparation of a studyplan; on ethical issues; on obtaining permits and informed consent as well as on funding issues. When a study has been performed according to this book; the researcher can state that the work has been carried out according to good research practice in KTL. The book begins with a chapter ""Good research practice summarized"" and ends with reviews on the characteristics of several research types. These are animal experiments; clinical sample studies (laboratory studies); clinical research; epidemiological and other population based research; health-related behaviouraland social research and register-based research. In parallel with the printed book we publish an Internet version in Finnish; with links to current laws; decrees and other references. The Internet version is the official one and the Editorial Board makes every effort to keep it up-to-date."