Institutional Review Boards

Definition

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) are committees established to review and approve research involving human subjects, ensuring that ethical standards are maintained throughout the research process. They play a crucial role in protecting the rights and welfare of participants by evaluating the risks and benefits of proposed studies, ensuring informed consent, and maintaining compliance with ethical guidelines.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. IRBs are mandated by federal regulations in the United States to review research proposals involving human subjects to ensure ethical standards are upheld.
2. The composition of an IRB typically includes a diverse group of individuals with varying expertise, including scientists, ethicists, and community representatives.
3. IRBs assess the potential risks to participants versus the anticipated benefits of the research, making decisions based on their findings.
4. Researchers must submit detailed proposals to IRBs, outlining their research design, methods for obtaining informed consent, and plans for participant safety.
5. An IRB can approve, require modifications to, or disapprove research proposals based on its ethical review process.

Review Questions

• How do Institutional Review Boards ensure the ethical treatment of research participants?
  • Institutional Review Boards ensure the ethical treatment of research participants by rigorously reviewing proposed studies for potential risks and benefits. They evaluate whether researchers have obtained informed consent and whether participants' rights and welfare are prioritized. Additionally, IRBs assess the overall scientific merit of research proposals to ensure that they contribute meaningful knowledge while safeguarding participants from harm.
• Discuss the importance of informed consent in the context of research reviewed by Institutional Review Boards.
  • Informed consent is vital in research reviewed by Institutional Review Boards because it empowers participants with knowledge about the study they are joining. It ensures that individuals understand what their participation entails, including potential risks and benefits. By requiring researchers to obtain informed consent, IRBs uphold ethical guidelines that protect participants from coercion or exploitation and foster trust in the research process.
• Evaluate how the role of Institutional Review Boards might evolve with advancements in technology and research methodologies.
  • As technology continues to advance, the role of Institutional Review Boards is likely to evolve significantly. With new research methodologies like online surveys or genetic testing presenting unique ethical challenges, IRBs will need to adapt their review processes to address these emerging issues. This may involve developing new guidelines for data privacy and security, especially in studies utilizing big data or sensitive personal information. Additionally, as public engagement in research increases through citizen science initiatives, IRBs may also reconsider how they involve diverse community perspectives in their decision-making processes.

Related terms

Informed Consent: The process of obtaining voluntary agreement from research participants after providing them with all necessary information about the study, including its purpose, risks, and benefits.

Ethical Guidelines: A set of principles that outline the moral obligations researchers must follow when conducting studies involving human subjects, including respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.

Human Subjects Research: Research involving individuals who participate as subjects in studies designed to gather data about their behavior, opinions, or experiences.