It is the mech- anism the investigator uses for translating an idea into a clinical trial. Writing a protocol allows the investigator to carefully consider the research question, its clinical importance, and the feasibil- ity of conducting the More than an instruction manual, the protocol serves many purposes. It is the mech- anism the investigator uses for translating an idea into a clinical trial. Writing a protocol allows the investigator to carefully consider the research question, its clinical importance, and the feasibil- ity of conducting the study..