When may an IRB conduct an expedited review of a new study?

An IRB (Institutional Review Board) may conduct an expedited review when a study involves minimal risk and meets specific criteria as set forth by federal regulations. This type of review is designed to streamline the approval process for research that does not pose greater than minimal risk to participants and fits within defined categories that typically include certain types of research involving existing data, biological specimens, or the use of surveys and interviews.

Expedited review facilitates faster processing for studies that qualify under these low-risk conditions, ensuring that the research can proceed without undergoing the full-board review that is generally required for higher-risk studies. This approach helps balance the need for participant protection with the efficiency of the review process for minimal-risk research.

Other options presented do not accurately represent the conditions under which an expedited review can be granted. For example, prior denial of a study does not automatically make it eligible for expedited review, nor does a researcher’s request guarantee such a review; the eligibility is based on risk assessment and compliance with regulatory categories. Lastly, conducting expedited reviews for all new studies, regardless of risk, would undermine the protective purpose of institutional review boards.