Which statement correctly describes continuing review in IRB oversight?

Which statement correctly describes continuing review in IRB oversight?

• A. Amendments modify the protocol
• B. IRB approval grants initial permission
• C. Continuing review is ongoing oversight
• D. IRB approval requires no oversight

Answer: (C)

Continuing review is the ongoing oversight by the IRB after a study has begun. This process keeps monitoring the research to protect participants, checking that risks remain minimized, consent processes stay appropriate, adverse events are reported and addressed, and any protocol changes are reviewed for safety and ethics. That ongoing supervisory role is what continuing review describes, ensuring the study remains compliant throughout its course. In contrast, amendments are about making changes to the protocol and require IRB review before those changes are made; initial approval is about the permission to start the study; and saying that approval requires no oversight contradicts the purpose of IRB monitoring.

Continuing review is the ongoing oversight by the IRB after a study has begun. This process keeps monitoring the research to protect participants, checking that risks remain minimized, consent processes stay appropriate, adverse events are reported and addressed, and any protocol changes are reviewed for safety and ethics. That ongoing supervisory role is what continuing review describes, ensuring the study remains compliant throughout its course. In contrast, amendments are about making changes to the protocol and require IRB review before those changes are made; initial approval is about the permission to start the study; and saying that approval requires no oversight contradicts the purpose of IRB monitoring.