Which documents describe how study conduct operations and methods are to be performed?

• A. The protocol
• B. The SOPs
• C. The final report
• D. The archive log

Answer: (B)

Standard Operating Procedures are the practical, step-by-step instructions that tell researchers exactly how to carry out routine tasks, methods, and procedures. They specify who does each task, what equipment to use, the sequence of steps, quality checks, data recording, and how to handle deviations. This makes day-to-day study conduct consistent, repeatable, and compliant with regulations, turning the study plan into actionable actions for everyone in the lab.

A protocol, by contrast, outlines the study plan—the rationale, objectives, design, and overall methods at a high level. It describes what will be done but not the detailed, repeatable steps for performing each task. The final report is a summary of results and conclusions after the study is completed, and the archive log records events and decisions along the way.