Do we need a partner who knows research?

It helps. A partner who understands consent and sponsor reporting asks better questions.

Should we ask for references?

Yes. Ask for a reference from a similar project, and ask what took longer than expected.

Do we need a contract before the first conversation?

No. You can sign a non-disclosure agreement first. Ask for the contract terms before the build starts.

10 Questions to Ask a Software Partner for Your Research Study

TL;DR Who owns the data and code? The lab owns both. The partner provides the service. How is participant data protected? Look for role-based access and a change log. Where will the data be stored? Cloud infrastructure built for health data, or your own servers. Will you sign a BAA? Ask how it is d...