What is the role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)?

The role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) is fundamentally centered on reviewing research proposals to ensure the protection of human subjects. This includes evaluating research protocols for ethical considerations, ensuring that the rights and welfare of participants are safeguarded, and assessing risks versus benefits associated with the research. By doing so, IRBs help maintain ethical standards in research involving human participants, ensuring compliance with regulations and guidelines.

This role is crucial to the research process, as it upholds the principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice, which are essential for conducting ethical research. While oversight of participant recruitment may fall under the broader responsibilities of an IRB, their primary function is the review and approval of research protocols concerning participant safety and rights. The IRB does not engage in funding research or advertising findings, which distinguishes its role within the research ecosystem.