Enabling IRB-Compliant Clinical Research Translation
WHY LANGUAGE SCIENTIFIC?
The Keck School of Medicine of USC conducts high-impact clinical research involving linguistically
diverse populations. For a key clinical study, the Independent Review Board (IRB) required that all
Informed Consent Forms and Assent Forms for minors be translated, reviewed, and formally approved by a certified translator. Keck School needed a partner with proven clinical translation expertise, IRB-
aligned certification processes, and deep experience translating sensitive, patient-facing research documentation. Language Scientific’s specialization in clinical research translation and life sciences
made it a trusted partner for this initiative.
The Problem
The Keck School of Medicine needed to translate patient-facing clinical research documents in order to enroll participants whose primary language was not English. These documents were critical to ensuring participants clearly understood the nature of the study and could provide informed consent in compliance with IRB requirements. The challenges included:
- Translating highly sensitive Informed Consent and Assent Forms with absolute accuracy
- Ensuring medical terminology was both clinically precise and understandable to patients
- Meeting strict IRB compliance and certification standards
- Supporting multilingual enrollment without delaying study timelines
Without compliant translations, Keck School of Medicine would be unable to enroll Spanish- and Arabic-speaking participants, putting the success of the study at risk.
ACTIONS TAKEN
- Delivered certified translations of Informed Consent
- Forms for adult participants
- Translated Assent Forms for minors, signed by parents or guardians
- Supported Spanish and Arabic, enabling broader participant inclusion
- Applied deep clinical expertise to ensure precision
- Ensured a seamless, low-effort workflow aligned with IRB expectations
- Maintained clear, proactive communication throughout the project
“We truly value the partnership and would recommend your services without hesitation. We look forward to continuing to work together on future projects.”
— Evelyn Gonzalez, Research Coordinator, Keck School of Medicine of USC
