Contents
Catalog Links

700-30-Final Reports

Title: Final Reports
Owner: IRB
Last Update/Revised: 05/01/2024

Policy: The completion or termination of a project/study is reported to the IRB, unless the investigator was a doctoral student, in which case the file is closed upon receiving a passing grade in the last course of the program or withdrawal/dismissal from the program.

A final report is submitted per timelines detailed below when a project or study is completed or terminated. The Final Report Form provides information to the IRB regarding the final status of the project/study and allows the IRB to close the file. In the event that the investigator fails to apply for continuing review or submit a final project report, the IRB will administratively close the study.

When Final Reports are acknowledged by the IRB via email, the file is closed, and no further activity related to the project/study may be conducted. Files are retained as described in 700-39: IRB Document Management.

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to outline the use of Final Reports.

Procedures:

  1. Procedures for Submission of Final Reports
    1. Final reports must be submitted within 30 calendar days to the IRB via a Google Form after completion or termination of the study for investigators who are not doctoral students.
    2. The following documentation is required for IRB Review: Final Report Form, and if applicable, sponsor documentation of project/study completion or termination.
  2. Procedures for IRB Review of Final Reports
    1. The IRB Chair or designee reviews all final reports and, if needed, requests further information from the investigator to clarify any questions that may arise.
    2. Once the IRB has determined that sufficient information is provided, the investigator (and chair of a doctoral student) will receive acknowledgement of the final report and closure of the project/study.
  3. IRB Administrative Closure
    1. If a project/study is expired and an application for continuing review or a final project report has not been submitted, the IRB will administratively close the study. See 700-27 Length of Approval Period for a description of procedures regarding expired studies.
    2. For doctoral students, a monthly report is run, and files are closed for students who are no longer active. This includes graduates (those receiving a passing grade in the last course of the program) and those who have withdrawn or dismissed. An email is sent to the student and chair noting the closure.

Scope: This policy applies to every project and research conducted at USU that was reviewed by the IRB.

Documents and Forms:

Final Report Form