Everyone deserves time away from work, including Principal Investigators (PIs). However, research studies don’t always pause when a PI goes on vacation. Participant questions, reportable events, regulatory deadlines, and study activities can continue even when the lead investigator is out of the office. Proper planning before taking time off can help ensure that research activities
Research involving the Department of Defense (DoD), veterans, active-duty military personnel, or members of the armed forces comes with unique ethical and regulatory considerations. Whether a study involves clinical research, behavioral surveys, retrospective chart reviews, or device testing, investigators must ensure their research complies with federal regulations and additional DoD-specific requirements designed to protect military
Department of Defense Research and IRB Review: What Researchers Should Know Read Post »
Clinical research plays a critical role in advancing healthcare, improving patient outcomes, and evaluating new treatments, devices, and interventions. Whether a study involves testing a medical device, reviewing patient records, or conducting behavioral health research, investigators must ensure that their work complies with ethical and regulatory standards. One of the most important parts of this
Understanding IRB Review Levels for Clinical Studies Read Post »
A well-prepared IRB application does more than check a regulatory box—it sets the tone for your entire study. Submitting a complete, thorough application the first time around can significantly streamline the review process, reduce back-and-forth revisions, and help ensure your research stays on schedule. While it may be tempting to move quickly through the application
How to Complete Your IRB Application for Faster Approval (and Fewer Revisions) Read Post »
When preparing an Institutional Review Board (IRB) submission, it’s easy to think of each component—the protocol, consent forms, recruitment materials, and application itself—as separate tasks. In reality, they should function as a cohesive, unified package. Application alignment across all study documents is not just a best practice; it is essential for ethical oversight, efficient review,
Why Application Alignment Matters in IRB Submissions Read Post »
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) play a critical role in protecting the rights and welfare of human research participants. But what exactly defines IRB industry standards, and how can researchers ensure they are working with a board that meets those expectations? How Federal Regulations and AAHRPP Accreditation Shape IRB Standards At a foundational level, IRB industry
Understanding IRB Industry Standards: What Researchers Should Expect Read Post »
When people think about Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), they often picture large academic universities with extensive research departments. While universities are certainly a major part of the research landscape, they are far from the only organizations conducting human subjects research. In reality, a wide range of institutions rely on independent IRBs like Solutions IRB to
From Hospitals to Private Practices: Who Uses Solutions IRB? Read Post »
Submitting an IRB application can feel like a waiting game—but in many cases, delays are preventable. While every study is different, there are several consistent factors that help applications move through the review process more efficiently. One of the most important elements is completeness. Applications that are fully developed at submission—rather than missing documents or
What Makes an IRB Application Get Approved Faster? Read Post »
Maintaining ethical oversight does not end once a study receives approval. In fact, one of the most important parts of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process happens after a study is approved: ongoing review. At Solutions IRB, this ongoing oversight includes the Annual Check-In (ACI) process, which helps ensure that studies remain compliant, transparent, and
Stay on Track with Your IRB Approval Through Annual Check-Ins Read Post »
How Solutions IRB Oversees Youth Research Research involving children and adolescents plays a critical role in advancing education, behavioral science, public health, and social development. From school-based surveys to intervention studies and community programs, youth-focused research helps us better understand and support the next generation. However, because minors are considered a vulnerable population, additional safeguards
