UW Research

Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

Data Monitoring Committee (DMC)

Data Monitoring Committee See: Data Safety Monitoring Board

data safety monitoring board (DSMB)

An independent group of experts who monitor a study for subject safety, study outcomes, and study progress while the research is ongoing.

data safety monitoring plan (DSMP)

The researcher’s plan to oversee subject safety, study outcomes, and study progress by monitoring research progress and quality, reporting problems, and assuring data accuracy and protocol…

de-identified data

Information is de-identified if there is no reasonable basis to believe that the data can be linked to specific individuals. When the data are Protected Health…

debriefing

In the context of informed consent, the process of providing information to participants at the conclusion of study procedures. The intent of debriefing is to provide…

deception

In the context of informed consent, the omission of relevant information and/or the presentation of misleading information about a study.

Declaration of Helsinki

A code of ethics for clinical research developed by the World Medical Association. It is considered the original cornerstone document on human research ethics. See: https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki-ethical-principles-for-medical-research-involving-human-subjects/

deferral

The decision (vote) by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) that the IRB is unable to approve the research because the applicable criteria for IRB approval have…

Delayed Onset Human Research (DOHR)

This determination is granted by HSD (when requested by a research sponsor) to research that does not yet have definite plans for human subjects research. It…

dual review

This refers to a situation in which more than one Institutional Review Board (IRB) oversees and reviews the same parts of a study; i.e., there is…