The primary purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects involved in research.
IRBs are committees that review research proposals involving human subjects to ensure they meet ethical standards. They are responsible for:
- Reviewing research proposals: IRBs carefully examine research protocols to identify potential risks to participants.
- Evaluating risks and benefits: They weigh the potential benefits of the research against the risks to participants.
- Ensuring informed consent: IRBs ensure that participants are fully informed about the research and give their consent to participate.
- Protecting vulnerable populations: They pay particular attention to research involving children, pregnant women, prisoners, and other vulnerable groups.
- Monitoring ongoing research: IRBs monitor ongoing research to ensure that participants are protected and that the research is conducted ethically.
By performing these functions, IRBs play a crucial role in upholding ethical research practices and safeguarding the well-being of human subjects.
