Person employed by a sponsor, or by a contract research organization acting on a sponsor's behalf, who monitors the progress of investigator sites participating in a clinical study. At some (primarily academic) sites, clinical research coordinators are called CRAs. See monitor.

A representative of either the sponsor or contract research organization (CRO) that is responsible for monitoring the quality of the conduct of the clinical trial.

Person employed by the study sponsor or CRO to monitor a clinical study at all participating sites. See also, monitor.

A Clinical Research Associate, also known as a Monitor, is an individual that oversees the progress and conduct of a clinical trial. A clinical trial is usually implemented by physicians at a hospital, clinic, or physician's office. The CRA is required to oversee the initiation, progress, and conduct of the clinical trial to ensure the scientific integrity of the data collected, and the protection of the rights, safety, and well-being of human study subjects.

A clinical research associate (CRA) is a profession defined by Good clinical practice guidelines (ICH GCP).