The IRB has updated its protocol template to add language about multisite research. We try to keep the template current and adapt it as needed when we notice trends in the protocols that come through the IRB office.
While template use is not required, it is strongly encouraged for investigators who are writing their study protocols from scratch. It gives guidance about what needs to be included in a research protocol to allow the IRB to adequately review a study. And we’ll take this opportunity to remind everyone about one of our pet peeves: always start with a brand new protocol template when creating a new study. Picking up a previously approved study’s protocol and trying to adapt it to your new study will only slow down approval. Why? Because a) you will very likely inadvertently leave text from your old protocol in your new study and b) we change the protocol template every now and again. Like we did today. So please start with a fresh template each time.