Responsibilities of Principal Investigator

The Principal Investigator (PI) is an individual who assumes full responsibility for a research study, including but not limited to, the oversight and training of research assistants, administration of informed consent, and protecting participant confidentiality.

The Responsibilities of the Principal Investigator

• Conduct the IRB approved research protocol
• Obtain informed Consent
• Effectively train and mentor student researchers in the ethical conduct of human subjects research
• Obtain approval for any changes, additions, or deletions to the study from the IRB prior to implementation
• Retain research records for 3 years after study completion date
• Promptly report all unanticipated problems or injury to the IRB
• Follow all University of Texas at Austin procedures for the ethical conduct of human subjects research
• Respond promptly to all participant concerns and questions.
• Maintain subject confidentiality.
• Inform subjects if risks or benefits of study change.
• Maintain cultural sensitivity
• Design research methodology appropriate to your desired research setting.
• Obtain permission to use intellectual property and/or private data.
• Different sites have different rules and expectations.  Know your site and follow appropriate guidelines.