We recently published a blog post about institutional review board (IRB) approvals, which are a necessary part of every research study/evaluation that includes human subjects. Based on recent experience, Khulisa evaluators provided several tips for how to put together a successful IRB application and implement an IRB protocol over the course of a project.
Last week’s IRB tip was about being aware of costs. This week’s tip is: Training, training, training.
Before applying for an IRB approval, make sure all the project’s principal investigators, country leads, and other relevant project staff receive formal ethics training. Completing the relevant training ahead of time not only gets you ahead of the IRB application process, but also prepares staff members for all of the possible challenges they may face while carrying out the evaluation. Collecting sensitive data is not only difficult for the survey respondents, but also for the staff conducting the evaluation. Proper training can help staff members to deal with these challenges.
Some of Khulisa’s recommended training resources include:
- The CITI program;
- The Training and Resources in Research Ethics Evaluation (TRREE); and
- The Global Health Training Centre.
To learn more about IRB approvals and our tips for success, read the full blog post.
