Research Enterprise Newsletter - February 2009: IRB News
Keep up to date with IRB news
The IRB has recently started publishing a blog, providing a fast, easy way to reach the greatest number of people in the Vanderbilt research community. The blog contains information on form updates, workshops, general announcements, and other IRB-related topics. The posts are archived each month and the blog is key word searchable. As with any blog, readers are welcome to comment on the information. You can even subscribe to the blog and have all of the posts and/or comments delivered directly to you. You can find a link to the IRB blog in the upper-left corner of our web site or by visiting irbtipoftheweek.wordpress.com.
IRB suggestion box gains momentum
When the IRB debuted its Suggestion Box in 2004, it received a mere eight comments/concerns. In 2008, more than 65 comments, questions, and/or concerns were heard through this medium. If there is a way the IRB can do it better, or help you resolve a research related situation, please let us know. You can access the suggestion box by visiting the IRB web site.
DISCOVR-E Tutorials Available
The IRB recently created step-by-step tutorials for DISCOVR-E. We have modules for navigating the system, submitting a new study, responding to a pre-review/CAL, and a number of other topics. Each of the streaming videos can be found in the DISCOVR-E Library on the IRB web site.
By the Numbers
Each year, the number of items processed by the IRB continues to grow. With the implementation of DISCOVR-E in November 2007, we've been able to receive, process, and review submissions even quicker. In 2007, we received a total of 8146 submissions. That number increased to 8409 in 2008. New studies in 2007 totaled 1325 of those submissions and that number grew to 1413 for 2008. Amendments counted toward 3247 and 3349 respectively. Continuing reviews were a large part of the overall numbers with 2186 in 2007 and 2262 in 2008. January is almost over and if it's any indication of things to come, the IRB is going to be even busier in 2009.
