The Integrated Research

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The Integrated Research Application System
(IRAS) www.myresearchproject.org.uk
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The Vision
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The Challenge

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Who is involved?
NIGB
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Development Consultation

• Launched January 2008
• Consultation-in-use to July 2008
• Continuous programme of upgrades and revisions
• New partners
• Responding to feedback
• Keeping pace with developments in RD across the
  UK

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Which applications are included?

• Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory
  Committee (ARSAC)
• Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC)
• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory
  Agency (MHRA) Medicines and Devices
• Ministry of Justice England and Wales
• NHS / HSC research offices
• NRES / NHS / HSC Research Ethics Committees
• Patient Information Advisory Group (PIAG)
  England and Wales

www.myresearchproject.org.uk
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Developments so far

• May 08 import/ export part of EudraCT
• Nov 08 entry point for NIHR CSP
• Dec 08 electronic authorisations and
  improvements in response to consultation phase
• March 09 full EudraCT dataset

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Using IRAS

• Setting up a user account
• Create a project
• Enter information about a project
• Navigating the system and key functionality

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How to set up an account

• First enter web address to your browser
  www.myresearchproject.org.uk
• If you already have existing NRES (COREC) account
  you can use your current log-in and password.
• If you do not have an existing NRES account you
  can easily create a new account by following
  instructions on help page

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Creating a new project
www.myresearchproject.org.uk
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IRAS project filter

• Short list of questions about the project
• Dynamic subsequent filter questions may alter
  depending on responses
• Generates project dataset questions and
  application forms required for study type
• Answer all the questions carefully and refer to
  question specific guidance as necessary

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How does IRAS work?

• It consists of a single integrated dataset
• This is the set of questions and answers for all
  the questions in all the application forms
• The set of questions that need to be answered by
  a researcher will depend on the type of study and
  the types of applications required
• The application forms for each reviewing body are
  generated from the single dataset
• The single dataset and application forms
  cross-populate
• i.e. information about the project in response to
  a question is entered only once

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IRAS Functionality

• Filter, integrated project dataset and
  application forms on the left
• Select each form to show tabs relevant to that
  form on the right hand side of page
• Navigation tab questions to complete
• Other tabs functions available for that form
• Move around system using
• Underlined links (e.g. dataset, forms or question
  / sections)
• Tabs
• Buttons (e.g. print, save, navigation)

www.myresearchproject.org.uk
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Printing and submitting application forms

• Each review body has different submission
  requirements
• Select the appropriate form on the navigation
  page and then select the submission tab for
  specific guidance
• To print hard copy for submitting follow
  instructions on submission tab and create
  submission code
• Please enable pop-ups on your computer!

www.myresearchproject.org.uk
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Locking forms and submission codes

• Application forms in IRAS cannot be locked
• Instead of a lock code IRAS allocates a
  submission code once the applicant proceeds to
  final submission
• This code will appear on the foot of the
  application form on print-out
• An audit trail is created of the dataset at the
  time at which a submission code is generated.
• It is the responsibility of applicants to keep
  their IRAS project dataset up to date
• When applicants make changes to the dataset
  following a submission, they will be prompted to
  consider whether other review bodies need to be
  notified of the change

www.myresearchproject.org.uk
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IRAS features

• Contacts keep details of collaborators
• Standard CV
• Electronic authorisation

www.myresearchproject.org.uk
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Contacts

• Enables you share contact details across all your
  projects
• Access from menu bar
• Or whenever you see the icon
• Build up an address book
• Yourself
• You collaborators

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Electronic authorisations

• New functionality from December 2008 to allow
  electronic authorisation in IRAS as alternative
  to ink signature
• Authorisation operates by secure email transfer,
  with audit trail confirming what has been
  authorised, when and by whom
• Can be used for e.g. RD/SSI Forms, sponsor
  declaration, academic supervisor, radiation
  experts
• Some ink signatures still required, in particular
  CI declaration on REC application for CTIMPs

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Help and support

• Throughout system green i button leads to
  Question Specific Guidance
• Contacts
• Review bodies
• Technical support
• Help section
• QSG for each section
• Standard blank forms to print off

www.myresearchproject.org.uk
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Next stage April 2009

• Modify IRAS to support completion of transfer of
  Site-Specific Assessment to NHS RD
• Include applications to the new Social Care
  Research Ethics Committee
• Provide further support to streamlined RD
  systems across the UK and cross-border studies
• Provide mechanism for ongoing management of
  applications made in previous systems
• Add new online training module for IRAS

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• Technical queries on IRAS to helpdesk_at_infonetica.
  net
• Feedback on IRAS toiras_at_nres.npsa.nhs.uk

www.myresearchproject.org.uk
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