Ethics / IRB Protocol Builder.
A full IRB protocol + paired consent form in one workspace. Tuned to the four major Ghana committees — GHS-ERC, NMIMR-IRB, IRB-UG (Legon / Noguchi), and CHRPE-KNUST — with each committee's red-flag list built into the coach.
Templates
Aligned to STROBE / CONSORT / COREQ / PRISMA as appropriate.Title page, objectives, design, consent. Add the rest as you need them.
Full STROBE-aligned protocol for one-time surveys of knowledge, attitudes, practices, prevalence.
STROBE-aligned cohort protocol with follow-up, attrition handling, repeated measures.
CONSORT-aligned RCT protocol with randomisation, blinding, monitoring, adverse-event reporting.
COREQ-aligned qualitative protocol with reflexivity, sampling-to-saturation, member-checking.
Two-phase protocol with explicit integration plan, joint display, MMR rationale.
Lean protocol focused on data-source justification, variable mapping, data-use agreements.
Slim shell: amendment summary, justification, sections changed, risk reassessment.
Ethics committees we know
Pick the committee you're submitting to. The coach uses each committee's red-flag list and tips.
GHS-ERC expects the GHS protocol template structure: full sections in this order — title page, background, problem statement (separate from background), objectives, methodology (subsections), risks/benefits, informed consent, confidentiality, data storage (10 years), dissemination, budget, references. Consent forms must be available in English plus at least one major local language relevant to the study site (Twi / Ga / Ewe / Dagbani / Hausa). Compensation must be specified in GHS, justified, and at a level that does not constitute undue inducement (typically ≤ GHS 30 per visit for healthy participants).
NMIMR-IRB places strong emphasis on biosafety, sample handling, and material transfer agreements when biological samples leave the country. Section on data and sample storage MUST specify the BSL level of the lab, the chain of custody, and the destruction protocol. For genomic studies a separate genomic-data governance section is required. Consent forms must explicitly address future-use of samples and the right to withdraw samples (not always possible after de-identification — must be disclosed).
IRB-UG places strong emphasis on reflexivity (positionality statement of researcher), community engagement (how the community is involved beyond data collection), and member-checking for qualitative work. Risk section should explicitly cover social, economic and reputational risks — not only physical. Photographs and audio recordings need separate consent. Compensation typically modest (GHS 20-30) and tied to time / transport rather than 'payment' for participation.
CHRPE expects a clearly numbered protocol following the KNUST template. Sample size MUST show the formula and a citation. For clinical studies, a DSMB (Data Safety Monitoring Board) section is required if the study is more than minimal risk. Sub-investigator CVs and ethics-training certificates (GCP / CITI) for all named investigators must be appended. Recruitment scripts must be in English and Twi when collecting in Ashanti.
Apply standard Declaration of Helsinki + CIOMS principles: informed consent, benefit-risk balance, privacy, justice, community engagement, and post-study access. Cite the reporting guideline appropriate to your design (CONSORT/STROBE/COREQ/PRISMA).
The AI drafts and rewrites sections using only what you supply. It never invents facility names, sample sizes, IRB numbers, intervention components or co-investigators — those become [bracketed placeholders] for you to fill in. Read the full policy.
Pair the IRB Builder with Veridanth Academic Services — full protocol pre-review from a senior researcher.