Final answer:
The true or false nature of the statement depends on the specific IRB requirements or local laws regarding the retention of informed consent forms. Generally, informed consent forms are retained for a significant period beyond the study's end for legal and ethical reasons, but the exact duration can vary.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement regarding the retention period of informed consent forms is True. Informed consent forms are crucial documentation in experimental research that outlines the scope of the study, the voluntary nature of participation, the potential risks, and assurances of confidentiality to participants. Regulatory bodies or Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) often set guidelines mandating the retention of these forms for a specific duration, commonly exceeding the conclusion of the study.
This duration can be affected by local laws, institutional policies, and the nature of the research. For instance, retaining the informed consent forms may serve to protect both the research participants and the institution in cases of future legal or ethical queries. However, without a definitive legal or institutional rule provided in the question, we cannot assume the 10-year retention period applies universally. It is essential to refer to the specific IRB requirements or local regulations that apply to the particular research in question.