What is the role of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

The role of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is primarily to review research proposals for ethical standards. This process is crucial as it ensures that the rights, welfare, and safety of human subjects participating in research are protected. The IRB evaluates the risks and benefits of the proposed study, ensuring that ethical guidelines are followed according to established regulations. Moreover, the IRB assesses whether the informed consent process is adequate and whether the participant's autonomy is respected throughout the study.

While aspects like funding research or managing participant recruitment are important in the overall research process, these functions are not the primary responsibilities of an IRB. Instead, the focus of an IRB is on maintaining ethical integrity in research practices involving human subjects, making its role essential in upholding the ethical standards set forth by regulatory bodies and institutions.