Training courses in the concepts of clinical trials research methodology that include rules in good clinical practice have not yet been extensively implemented in Hong Kong. This study aims to define the current knowledge of rules in good clinical practice and identify any need for such training programmes. Between May and August 1996, 161 clinical research staff were asked non-randomly to fill in a questionnaire about their knowledge of research methodology and their interest in specific courses. The median number of correctly answered questions (maximum score, 20) was 5 and the mode was 4, which was the expected score if questions had been answered randomly. Only minor differences in score were detected between doctors, research staff, and industry employees. Many researchers were keen, however, to further their knowledge by attending future courses; on average, each person showed an interest in three of the eight proposed courses. The study shows that the knowledge of rules in good clinical practice among clinical research staff in Hong Kong is poor, but there is nevertheless a demand for training programmes.