Each free-response question on the New Submission form requests specific information. We know that can be tempting to cut and paste text from the protocol or consent form in response to these queries, and we’ve noticed that some submission forms repeat the same cut-and-pasted response to multiple questions. Sometimes the answer to the question being answered is in the text somewhere, but sometimes it isn’t. And even if it is, it’s much harder for the IRB to find it when it’s buried in text that’s repeated throughout the form.
Therefore, when responding to these queries, please provide specific answers and answer each question individually rather than cutting and pasting repeated language from the protocol or consent. Otherwise, the IRB may send back contingencies asking you to revise the form before it will be reviewed.