New researchers may be unfamiliar with the typical life cycle of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol and the update or check-in requirements associated with it. Part of being a steadfast researcher is to take notes and observe the lifecycle of your research. Typically, researchers develop an initial study idea and for student research, they will gain guidance from their faculty sponsor. After researchers refine their study activities they should visit Teachers College IRB’s How to Submit webpage.
Additionally, researchers can visit Mentor IRB (MyTC/Mentor IRB) for information and to submit their protocol for IRB review. After the protocol is submitted through Mentor IRB, it is put in a queue for review. The review process depends on the selected review category and submission volumes may increase the review time. For details on the review categories, please visit TC IRB’s website under “Review Categories.”
Part of being a steadfast researcher is to take notes and observe the lifecycle of your research.
Then, after the IRB protocol has been reviewed and approved it may undergo a modification (amendment) or study continuation or require an IRB report (of a protocol deviation or adverse event). A researcher must alert TC IRB of any modification, protocol deviation, or adverse event within a timely manner. These post-IRB-approval notices and reports will be reviewed and (if appropriate) acknowledged. The researcher will be given suggestions on how to proceed with the study.
At the end of the study, a researcher will be asked to close the study and provide a summary of the study activities and findings. The study is then archived and closed for IRB purposes.