How do I close out a study?

When a non-exempt human research study is complete, including those without an expiration date, the PI must promptly submit a continuing review in the Northwestern eIRB+ system to close the study. Completing or prematurely closing a research study is a change in activity that must be submitted to the IRB.

You must close your study in eIRB+ when you have finished all of the following activities: research participant recruitment, study participation and follow-up, and collecting and analyzing identifiable data. Refer to the GUIDANCE: Study Closure (HRP-1901) for more details.

To close a study, log in to eIRB+ using your Northwestern NetID and password. Next, navigate to the study you wish to close. Then, on the left-hand side of the study workspace, click “Create Modification / CR” and select “Continuing Review.” Finally, complete all Continuing Review / Study Closure Information, ensuring that the research milestones align with when a study may be closed. At least the first 4 statements in the Research Milestones section must be selected and true to close a study in eIRB+.

If your study expires and your IRB approval lapses for more than thirty (30) business days, the IRB Office may administratively close your study. Administrative closures do not constitute terminations of IRB Approval. However, allowing a study to expire is not an appropriate mechanism to close a study and is considered non-compliance. You must either close or renew lapsed studies.