Human Research Protection Program

If your research will continue beyond the IRB approval's expiration date, you must submit a continuation request. Your request must be approved before the initial/former approval form's expiration date or your research must cease until IRB approval of your continuation request. Be sure to submit your continuation request with this in mind.

If you continue to recruit subjects, collect data or analyze data after the expiration date and before your request has been approved, you will be out of compliance.

See the Forms and Instructions webpage

If you plan to make changes to your research plan as outlined in your approved protocol, you must submit a modification request. This request must be approved before the implementation of the changes (except where changes are necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to subjects). Be sure to submit your modification request with this in mind. If you implement changes before IRB approval, you will be out of compliance.

See the Forms and Instructions webpage

Some examples of changes include (note that this list is by no means exhaustive):

• Change in principal investigator.

• Addition or removal of personnel.

• Change in number of enrolled participants.

• Changes to the procedures or study design.

• Changes to the study instruments (surveys, questionnaires, etc.).

• Changes to the informed consent documents or procedures.

• Changes to recruitment materials.

• Changes in location of research or agency.

• Changes in funding sources.

No. You must still submit a continuation request by the expiration date noted on the approval of your initial protocol or most recent continuation approval.

If a serious problem occurs while conducting your research, you must report it to the Institutional Review Board administrator promptly after becoming aware of the problem.

Yes. When your research is complete (when all participants have completed all research related interventions, all analysis of identifiable data is completed and all funding and contracting issues have been completed) you must complete a termination report. This report must be submitted regardless of review level. 

See the Forms and Instructions webpage