Skip to main content

What are the decisions the IRB can make when reviewing proposed research?

The IRB may approve research, require modifications to the research to secure approval, defer research, or disapprove research:

  • Approval: Made when your research meets all criteria for approval. See “How does the IRB decide whether to approve Human Research?” below.
  • Modifications Required to Secure Approval: Made when IRB members require specific modifications to the research before they issue final approval.
  • Deferred: Made when the IRB determines that the board cannot approve research and the IRB suggests modifications that might make the research approvable. When making this motion, the IRB describes its reasons for this decision, describes modifications that might make the research approvable, and provides you the opportunity to respond to the IRB in writing.
  • Disapproval: Made when the IRB determines that it cannot approve the research and the IRB cannot describe modifications that might make the research approvable. When making this motion, the IRB describes its reasons for this decision and provides you the opportunity to respond to the IRB in writing.