Checking the study for errors and omissions helps you include all the relevant information, which is critical for receiving a timely review of your study. Using these types of error checking helps you supply all the information the IRB needs:

• Automatic system error checking identifies any omitted answers to required questions on the form when you click Continue. A red asterisk (*) precedes each blank or question that requires an answer. Keep in mind that the system cannot catch every omission while you edit the study if you skip questions that cause more forms to be added to your study.
• Visually inspecting the forms to see what you may have missed, especially the following items. To perform a visual inspection, open the study and look through the forms in order. To open the study, see Editing a Submission. 
  • Questions that are relevant to your study but are not required for all studies
  • Documents that should be attached (see Checklist of Information to Attach)

Using the Hide/Show Errors option to find and correct all errors before submitting the study. The system automatically checks for errors when the PI attempts to submit the study. However, if you are filling out the forms on behalf of the PI, it is best to check the study for errors before the PI attempts to submit it, using the steps below.

To use Hide/Show Errors to find and correct errors:

1. Open the study, as explained in Editing a Submission.

2. From the top navigation area, click Hide/Show Errors.

The Error/Warning Messages pane appears at the bottom of the window, listing all the current errors and where to find them.

3. For one of the errors listed, click the link in the Jump To column to go to the form containing the error. 

4. Click Continue to identify the specific questions on the form with errors.

5. Fill in the missing information.

6. Click Refresh in the Error/Warning Messages pane to update the list of errors.

7. Continue correcting errors until no errors are listed.