Certification for IRB Professionals (CIP) Practice Exam

The communication of an Institutional Review Board's (IRB) decisions is best achieved through a formal letter detailing the approval or disapproval of a research proposal. This method ensures that the communication is clear, official, and documented, providing a record for both the researchers and the institution.

A formal letter lays out the rationale behind the IRB's decision, including any stipulations or conditions for approval, which is critical for ensuring compliance with ethical standards and regulations. It serves as a reliable means to communicate important details that researchers need to understand before proceeding with their studies.

Other methods of communication, such as informal emails or discussions at research committee meetings, may lack the necessary formality and documentation required in such an important regulatory context. Furthermore, a public forum may not be suitable, as confidentiality and the specifics of a study may need to be protected. Hence, the use of a formal letter is the most appropriate and effective means for an IRB to communicate its decisions.