Protocol Writing Program

The Medical School Research Office is excited to announce its inaugural Protocol Writing Program for human subjects research protocols! This opportunity is open to all members of our research community who would benefit from an online course focused on learning the IRB Protocol Writing process, how to navigate services at the University of Minnesota, and how to make sure that your IRB protocol pairs well with the scientific aims of your research project.

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How do I enroll in the program?

This course is asynchronous and hosted through the UMN Training Hub. If you are a current staff member you are able to enroll via the UMN Training Hub. Self-enrollment is limited to current staff. If you would like to enroll as a student or post-doc (or other role) please fill out the survey at: https://redcap.link/PWPenroll.  Anybody with an x500 will be able to register for the asynchronous educational opportunity.

Who should enroll?

This program is most valuable to research staff, junior faculty, and post-docs who haven’t had experience with submitting an IRB Protocol at the University of Minnesota yet and could benefit from some guidance and training.

Why enroll?

Benefits of the course include the following:

  1. IRB protocol preparation: The course aims to address delays in the initiation of research led by new Principal Investigators (PIs) caused by poorly prepared IRB protocols.
  2. Streamlined Review Process: The training provided in the course will help eliminate barriers associated with poorly drafted protocols, which would streamline the IRB review process.
  3. Understanding of University Services: Participants will receive training on navigating the University of Minnesota services, which would improve their overall understanding of the resources available to them.
  4. Professional Development: This is a valuable opportunity for junior faculty and post-doctoral members to receive training and improve their skills in the protocol writing process.

What topics are covered?

The program will cover the following topics as they relate to protocol writing:

  • Study Set-Up
  • Roles & Responsibilities
  • Statistics & Study Design
  • Ethics, IRB, and Regulatory Considerations
  • Data Storage, Security, & Privacy
  • Consenting and Communication
  • Facilities, Recruitment, and Budgeting
  • Next steps for your study

How to complete the course?

To complete the course you will need to fill out the Post-Course Survey that is embedded in the Canvas course website. If you have questions about progressing through the course, please reach out to Amanda Rueter for support (arueter@umn.edu).

If you have any questions about the program or the process to apply, please reach out to Amanda Rueter (arueter@umn.edu).