U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
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What are investigators’ responsibilities once a study is completed?
If all research-related interventions or interactions with human subjects have been completed, and all data collection and analysis of identifiable private information described in the IRB-approved research plan have been finished, then the human subjects research study has been completed. When a human subjects research study has been completed, the investigators no longer are required to obtain continuing review and approval of that study by the IRB. The investigators should follow any applicable institutional policies and procedures for notifying the IRB of the study's completion.
Once a study has been completed, investigators may keep the data they collected, including identifiable private data, if consistent with the IRB-approved research plan. Investigators should continue to honor any confidentiality protections of the data.
Investigators also should honor any other commitments that were agreed to as part of the approved research, for example, providing information about the study results to research subjects, or honoring commitments for compensation to research subjects for research participation.
Last Reviewed: 12/01/2010
Related Questions:
- What records should investigators keep, and for how long?
- Must investigators obtain training in the protection of human subjects?
- What should investigators do if IRB approval expires?
- What should investigators do when considering changes to an exempt study that could make it nonexempt?
- Are investigators responsible for obtaining continuing review of research?
