Intake Process for Requests for Both Initial and Continuing Review
The intake process for requests of both initial and continuing review are fairly straight forward. An investigator emails the IRB Chair the Request for Review and appropriate additional documents. The Chair assigns a protocol number and records the request in the log (requests for initial review only, requests for continuing review keep their prior protocol number). The Chair screens the request to determine if all of the information necessary to make a determination is included. If the request is complete, the Chair determines the level of review. If the request is incomplete, all of the materials are returned with a list of elements that are missing.
A Tip for Making Sure the Request for Review is Complete
Sometimes researchers become so familiar with their work that it can be difficult to write about it for someone who isn't familiar with it without leaving out important details. To avoid submitting a Request with information missing, investigators can give the Request and all related documents to someone who knows nothing about the study. Researchers can then ask the person questions about the study. Anything the reader can't answer is something the researcher could consider adding to or clarifying.
