Perceptions of the coordinating center: as viewed by a project officer

From the perspective of the project office of the multicenter, international Lipid Research Clinics Program, some salient points in evaluating a coordinating center are discussed: assessment of its needs, appraisal of its quality-control methods, determination of the appropriate balance between active/passive participation in the study, judgment of its communication skills, and estimation of its ability to enhance data analysis and publication of research results.