The Department of Medicine Scientific Review Committee (SRC) is charged with examining the design of protocols that are part of UAB Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions. The objective of the SRC is to document the scientific rigor of DOM investigations, provide methodologic guidance and support to protocols that may lack key components, standardize pre-review of IRB submissions across the divisions, and will be consistent with recent NIH recommendations concerning clinical research.
An efficient and timely start-up process with research protocols is critical in order to be competitive in the research environment. The goal in utilizing an SRC process is to help produce high quality protocols that receive IRB approval in a timely manner.
Vera Bittner, MD (Cardiovascular Disease) is the current SRC chair. The committee is comprised of ten members of the Department of Medicine. Additional content experts will be added if necessary.
If you have questions about the SRC process or would like more information please contact Dr. Cynthia Joiner, Assistant Vice Chair for Research.
SRC Review Process
Follow these steps for initiating the SRC Review Process:
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The PI or delegate completes and uploads the DOM Protocol Oversight Review Form (PORF) along with the IRB required documents in IRAP “My Human Subjects” module. The Department of Medicine now requires additional review for all COVID studies that will be submitted to the IRB.
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The application is routed to the SRC team through IRAP.
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The SRC team reviews and routes the application.
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A statistical review is performed (if applicable).
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Applications scheduled for full SRC committee review (if applicable). The committee reviews protocols weekly.
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Written feedback is provided to the investigator via a memo and email.
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When the SRC approves the protocol, the application is approved in IRAP for IRB processing and review.
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If changes are required to the application, the investigator completes the changes and submits the revised application to the SRC via IRAP.