Table 4.

Items with % of “yes” responses below 60%

Question items	% of yes responses
How often does the REC meet as a full committee to review research studies?	7
Does the REC have written Standard Operating Procedures?	13
Does the REC have a policy for disclosure and management of potential conflicts of interest for the members of the REC?	7
Does the REC have a policy for disclosure and management of potential conflicts of interest for members of the research team?	7
Does the REC have a quality improvement (QI) program for itself?	40
Does the institution/organization regularly evaluate the operations of the REC (e.g., budgetary needs, adequacy of material resources, adequacy of policies and procedures and practices, appropriateness of the membership for the research being reviewed, and documentation of the training requirements of the REC members)?	7
Does the REC have a mechanism whereby enrolled research participants can file complaints or ask questions regarding their rights as human subjects?	20
Appropriate gender balance	33
Are high ranking officials not allowed to act as chair or as a member of the REC, thus ensuring that the REC can be independent?	33
Does the institution require that investigators have training in research ethics in order to submit protocols for review by the REC?	0
Does the REC conduct continuing education in research ethics for its members on a regular basis?	0
Does the REC document the human subjects protection training received by its members?	0
Does the REC request a continuing review report from the investigators? (on an at least yearly basis?)	0
Does the REC(s) have its own yearly budget?	0