IRB

Definition

An IRB, or Institutional Review Board, is a committee established to review and oversee research involving human participants to ensure ethical standards are maintained. Its primary goal is to protect the rights, welfare, and well-being of research subjects by reviewing study protocols, informed consent processes, and any potential risks involved in the research.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. An IRB must approve research studies before they can begin, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and federal regulations.
2. Members of an IRB typically include a diverse group of individuals with varying expertise, including scientists, ethicists, and community representatives.
3. The IRB evaluates risks and benefits to participants, ensuring that risks are minimized and are reasonable in relation to potential benefits.
4. IRBs also have the authority to suspend or terminate research that does not adhere to approved protocols or ethical guidelines.
5. Informed consent is a critical component reviewed by the IRB to ensure participants fully understand their rights and what participation entails.

Review Questions

• How does an IRB contribute to the ethical conduct of research involving human participants?
  • An IRB contributes to the ethical conduct of research by reviewing study proposals to ensure that they meet established ethical standards. This includes evaluating potential risks to participants, ensuring informed consent processes are in place, and verifying that researchers respect participants' rights and welfare. By overseeing these aspects, the IRB plays a crucial role in protecting human subjects involved in research.
• What are the key responsibilities of an IRB when reviewing a research protocol?
  • The key responsibilities of an IRB when reviewing a research protocol include assessing the risk-benefit ratio of the study, ensuring that informed consent procedures are adequate, and determining whether the recruitment methods for participants are ethical. The IRB also examines how researchers will protect participant confidentiality and monitor ongoing compliance with ethical guidelines throughout the study. This thorough review process helps maintain integrity and safety in research.
• Evaluate the impact of IRBs on research practices within academic institutions and their role in advancing ethical standards in scientific inquiry.
  • IRBs significantly impact research practices within academic institutions by establishing a framework for ethical oversight that promotes responsible conduct among researchers. Their role in evaluating study proposals fosters a culture of accountability and transparency while protecting participant rights. By advancing ethical standards in scientific inquiry, IRBs not only enhance public trust in research but also contribute to the integrity of findings by ensuring that studies adhere to rigorous ethical guidelines. This evolving oversight continues to shape best practices in research across various disciplines.

Related terms

Informed Consent: The process by which researchers provide potential participants with all relevant information about a study, allowing them to make an educated decision about their participation.

Ethics Review: An assessment process conducted by an IRB to evaluate the ethical implications of a research proposal, focusing on the treatment of human subjects.

Research Protocol: A detailed plan that outlines the objectives, design, methodology, and statistical analysis of a research study, which must be submitted to the IRB for approval.