Certification for IRB Professionals (CIP) Practice Exam

What action must be taken if an investigator decides to suspend their own research project?

1. Notify the funding agency

2. Notify the IRB

3. Submit a report to the institution

4. Request additional resources

The correct answer is: Notify the IRB

When an investigator decides to suspend their own research project, it is essential to notify the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB is responsible for overseeing the ethical conduct of research involving human subjects, and any changes in the status of a study, including its suspension, must be reported to them. This notification allows the IRB to assess any potential risks that may arise from the suspension, ensure that the rights and welfare of subjects are protected, and determine if any further action needs to be taken by the institution or the research team. Notifying the funding agency and submitting a report to the institution are important steps in the context of project management and funding compliance, but the priority lies in informing the IRB since its primary role is to guarantee the ethical integrity of the research process. Requesting additional resources is not typically a necessary response to the suspension of a project; rather, it may only be relevant if the investigator plans to resume research and requires extra support. Thus, notifying the IRB is the key requirement in this situation.