Transitioning to Digital Platforms for Submitting Research Protocols: A Sustainable Strategy for Institutional Ethics Committees.

Abstract

Abstract: Institutional ethics committees or institutional review committees are pivotal in ensuring ethical standards in conducting biomedical research on human participants. However, the conventional method of submitting a research protocol to an ethics committee by paper poses challenges such as a lot of paper wastage and inefficiencies in the Institutional Ethics Committee review process. This article discusses the transition of Institutional ethics committees in Indian professional institutions from paper-based to digital protocol submission using Google Forms. Staff were trained through online workshops and hands-on demonstrations on using the digital Institutional Ethics Committees submission portal. They learned how to create user accounts, fill out electronic protocol forms, upload supporting documents, and track the review status of their submissions. The adoption of digital methods not only mitigated paper wastage but also facilitated a more organized and accessible review process. Google Forms provided a secure platform for collecting, sharing, and storing research protocols, enhancing efficiency and data security. The article delves into the features of Google Forms that make it suitable for protocol submission, including customizable forms, ease of data collection, and robust security measures. Furthermore, the article explores the implications of digitalization on ethical review processes and the potential for future advancements in research ethics.