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The differences between directors of institutional research and clinical research associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a director of institutional research and a clinical research associate. Additionally, a director of institutional research has an average salary of $88,935, which is higher than the $62,966 average annual salary of a clinical research associate.
The top three skills for a director of institutional research include data collection, data analysis and statistical analysis. The most important skills for a clinical research associate are patients, informed consent, and CRA.
A director of institutional research oversees and leads the research programs of an organization or institution. They primarily take the lead in developing research plans, setting goals and standards, establishing timelines, securing fundings, organizing and managing research teams, recruiting new members of the workforce, and conducting regular assessments to ensure optimal operations. Moreover, a director of institutional research monitors all activities, addressing and solving issues should any arise. It is also their responsibility to empower research teams while implementing the organization's policies and standards.
A clinical research associate is responsible for assisting medical professionals in clinical trials and conducting research studies on medications and medical procedures. Clinical research associates monitor the research materials, ensuring its safety and reliability through trial procedures, writing comprehensive reports of results, and disseminating information across the concerned parties. They also provide recommendations on improving clinical processes, reiterating protocol requirements, and maintaining strict confidentiality of the trial subjects. A clinical research associate must have extensive knowledge of the medical industry, including its disciplines and principles, to perform duties accurately under minimal supervision.
Directors of institutional research and clinical research associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Director Of Institutional Research | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Average salary | $88,935 | $62,966 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $128,000 | Between $43,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Clara, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a director of institutional research and a clinical research associate in terms of educational background:
| Director Of Institutional Research | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Biology |
| Most common college | - | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between directors of institutional research' and clinical research associates' demographics:
| Director Of Institutional Research | Clinical Research Associate | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.7% Female, 52.3% | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.6% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 10.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 2.5% Unknown, 7.4% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 13.0% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |