What is the primary role of the Institutional Review Board?

What is the primary role of the Institutional Review Board?

• A. To protect human subjects by reviewing research proposals
• B. To publish research findings
• C. To fund studies
• D. To conduct experiments

Answer: (A)

The Institutional Review Board exists to protect people who take part in research. It reviews proposed studies before they begin to ensure that risks to participants are minimized, that those risks are reasonable in relation to the potential benefits, and that participants will give informed and voluntary consent. It also checks how the study will protect privacy and handle data, and it looks at fair and appropriate recruitment, including protections for any vulnerable groups. If changes are needed to consent forms, risk disclosures, or monitoring plans, the IRB can require them before the study can proceed, and it continues to oversee the study as it unfolds. This protective, oversight role aligns with ethical principles like respect for persons, beneficence, and justice, which is why this is the primary function. Publishing results, funding studies, or conducting experiments are not activities carried out by the IRB.

The Institutional Review Board exists to protect people who take part in research. It reviews proposed studies before they begin to ensure that risks to participants are minimized, that those risks are reasonable in relation to the potential benefits, and that participants will give informed and voluntary consent. It also checks how the study will protect privacy and handle data, and it looks at fair and appropriate recruitment, including protections for any vulnerable groups. If changes are needed to consent forms, risk disclosures, or monitoring plans, the IRB can require them before the study can proceed, and it continues to oversee the study as it unfolds. This protective, oversight role aligns with ethical principles like respect for persons, beneficence, and justice, which is why this is the primary function. Publishing results, funding studies, or conducting experiments are not activities carried out by the IRB.