What role does the IRB play in human research protection?

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) serves a critical function in the protection of human research participants by reviewing and approving research proposals for ethical compliance. This role is vital in ensuring that the rights, welfare, and safety of the participants are respected and safeguarded during the research process. When a research study is proposed, the IRB carefully evaluates the study's design, the informed consent process, potential risks and benefits, and how researchers plan to minimize risks to participants.

This thorough review process helps ensure that research adheres to ethical standards and that participants are treated with the utmost integrity. By fulfilling its role in ethical oversight, the IRB protects not only individual participants but also upholds the integrity of the research community as a whole. In contrast, options related to funding, supervision of daily operations, or recruitment of participants do not reflect the primary responsibilities of the IRB, which focuses specifically on ethical review and oversight.