The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines clinical research as: (1) patient-oriented research; (2) epidemiologic and behavioral studies; and/or (3) outcomes research and health services research.  Per the NIH, translational research includes:

• The process of making discoveries in the research laboratory or in preclinical studies that will have an impact on human health and may lead to the development of studies in humans.
• The process of applying discoveries generated during research in the laboratory, and in preclinical studies, to the development of trials and studies in humans.
• Research aimed at enhancing the adoption of best practices in the community. 

Cost-effectiveness of prevention and treatment strategies are also important aspects of translational science.