Machine readability
Data (e.g. content of a document) that can be readily processed by computers.
Glossary
Results
Latest posts
Medical device
Any instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, appliance, implant, software, material, or similar that can be used for: diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment or alleviation of disease; investigation, replacement, modification, or support of the anatomy or of a physiological process; supporting or sustaining life; control of conception; disinfection of medical devices: that doesn’t achieve its primary intended action in or on the human body by pharmacological, immunological or metabolic means.
MedTech and In Vitro Diagnostic Co-operatives
MedTech and In Vitro Diagnostic Co-operatives (MICs) build expertise and capacity in the NHS to develop new medical technologies and provide evidence on commercially-supplied in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests. The MICs replace the NIHR Healthcare Technology Co-operatives (HTCs) and NIHR Diagnostic Evidence Co-operatives (DECs), incorporating and retaining the remits of both.
Members of the public
When using the term ‘public’ we include patients, potential patients, carers and people who use health and social care services as well as people from organisations that represent people who use services. We also include those members of the public who are potential recipients of health promotion programmes, public health programmes, and social service interventions. Other organisations may have different definitions of this term.
Mentor
A mentor is a person willing to share their experience, knowledge and wisdom to help, guide and support someone who is less experienced. Mentors act as friends, teachers and advisers. A person who is newly involved in research can ask for a mentor to help them adjust to their new role.
Meta analysis
Combining data from multiple independent studies. May be undertaken in evidence syntheses.
Metadata
Summarises basic information about data (for example, author, date created, date modified, file size).
Methodology
The term methodology describes how research is done – so it will cover how information is collected and analysed as well as why a particular method has been chosen.
MHRA
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency: the competent authority for the UK, it is responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work and are acceptably safe.
MICs
MedTech and In Vitro Diagnostic Co-operatives (MICs) build expertise and capacity in the NHS to develop new medical technologies and provide evidence on commercially-supplied in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests. The MICs replace the NIHR Healthcare Technology Co-operatives (HTCs) and NIHR Diagnostic Evidence Co-operatives (DECs), incorporating and retaining the remits of both.
Monitoring
Maintaining contact with funded projects to ensure they progress satisfactorily and deliver meaningful results.
Monitoring research
Monitoring research involves keeping up to date with the progress of a research project. This will include ensuring that the researchers are carrying out their research according to their research proposal or protocol, that the research is keeping to time and budget and that the research is being conducted ethically.
Monograph
A long article or short book on a particular subject.
Morbidity
Illness or harm.
Mortality
Death.
MRC
Medical Research Council, the main UK Government source of funds for biomedical and early stage clinical research. The MRC funds the researcher-led workstream of the EME Programme.
Multicentre trial
A trial conducted at several geographical sites. Trials are sometimes conducted among several collaborating institutions, rather than at a single institution - particularly when large numbers of participants are needed.