Every protocol submitted on Efforia undergoes an "Ethics Review" to ensure the protection of participants' rights, safety, and well-being in the study. Your protocol will not be set live once your protocol receives an ethics approval.
Thankfully the process is quick (usually takes less than a day, but can take up to a week for higher risk studies). The only requirement on your part is to set set the status of your protocol to "In Review"
What is the Ethics Review?
Overseen by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), the Ethics Review involves a comprehensive examination of the study's design, methodology, and procedures to confirm they meet ethical standards.
The IRB is a team of experts, including scientists, non-scientists, and community members, assigned to review and monitor research involving human subjects. They ensure risks are minimized, benefits are maximized, informed consent is obtained, and participant privacy and confidentiality are maintained.
How to View Your Ethics Review Outcome
To view the Ethics Review outcome of your protocol:
Submit your ready to launch protocol to "In Review"
Wait for an e-mail providing an update on the review process.
Navigate to your protocol.
Scroll down on the protocol overview screen to the bottom.
Here are key elements to understand when reviewing your Ethics Approval details:
Approval Status: This indicates the current status of the IRB approval review. It may be 'Approved' (your protocol is automatically made live on the Efforia platform), 'Rejected' (you'll receive tips, recommendations, and requirements to revise and resubmit your protocol), or 'Recommended for a Full Board Review' (final approval is pending until the board meets, usually weekly).
Risk Level: Efforia assigns a risk level to all protocols. This information determines whether the protocol can be automatically approved, requires a single IRB member to review and approve, or needs a group of board members to meet and review before approval.
Rational & Suggestions for Improvement (suggestions only provided if approval status is rejected): This section explains why the protocol was assigned a specific risk level, and why it was rejected or approved. If the protocol was rejected, it would include information on how to edit the protocol for approval.
Remember, this Ethics Review process is an essential part of maintaining the highest standards of research on the Efforia platform.