What is one important function of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)?

One important function of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) is to ensure that research is ethical and protects participants. This responsibility is central to the mission of IRBs, which is to safeguard the rights and welfare of individuals involved in research studies. By reviewing research proposals, IRBs assess potential risks and benefits, ensure informed consent is obtained, and evaluate whether the research protocols are designed to minimize potential harm to participants. This oversight is crucial in maintaining ethical standards and fostering trust in the research community.

In contrast to this, managing research funding is typically the role of grant administrators or funding agencies rather than IRBs. While IRBs do consider legal regulations in their reviews, their mission is not to enforce all legal regulations—this is often the domain of regulatory agencies. Additionally, while IRBs may provide feedback on study design, they do not actively design research protocols; that responsibility lies primarily with the researchers themselves.