Ethical review boards

Definition

Ethical review boards, often known as institutional review boards (IRBs), are committees established to ensure that research involving human subjects is conducted ethically. They evaluate research proposals to protect the rights, welfare, and privacy of participants, ensuring that studies adhere to ethical standards and regulations, particularly in terms of informed consent and risk assessment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ethical review boards are essential for ensuring that research adheres to ethical guidelines set by institutions and regulatory bodies.
2. They assess potential risks and benefits of research studies to ensure that the welfare of participants is prioritized.
3. Review boards require that researchers submit detailed proposals, including informed consent forms and data protection measures, before any study can begin.
4. Most ethical review boards include diverse members from various backgrounds to provide a comprehensive evaluation of research proposals.
5. The failure to obtain approval from an ethical review board can result in significant consequences for researchers, including retraction of studies and legal repercussions.

Review Questions

• How do ethical review boards protect the rights and welfare of research participants?
  • Ethical review boards protect the rights and welfare of research participants by thoroughly evaluating research proposals before they begin. They ensure that studies adhere to ethical standards, including the requirement for informed consent, where participants are made aware of potential risks and benefits. By assessing each proposal for potential harm or exploitation, these boards play a crucial role in safeguarding individuals who participate in research.
• Discuss the process that researchers must follow when submitting a study proposal to an ethical review board.
  • When submitting a study proposal to an ethical review board, researchers must provide detailed documentation about their proposed research. This includes a clear explanation of the study's purpose, methodology, participant recruitment strategies, potential risks, and how informed consent will be obtained. Additionally, they must outline measures for maintaining confidentiality and protecting participants' data. The board reviews this information to ensure that all ethical considerations are addressed before granting approval.
• Evaluate the implications of failing to obtain approval from an ethical review board on both the research community and individual researchers.
  • Failing to obtain approval from an ethical review board can have serious implications for both the research community and individual researchers. For researchers, it may lead to retraction of their work, damage to their reputation, or even legal consequences. For the broader research community, it undermines trust in scientific integrity and can hinder progress if unethical practices lead to public backlash against legitimate research efforts. This highlights the importance of ethical review boards in maintaining accountability and fostering a culture of responsible research.

Related terms

informed consent:

The process by which researchers obtain voluntary agreement from participants to partake in a study after providing them with all relevant information regarding the study's purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits.

confidentiality: The ethical principle that ensures personal information about participants is kept private and not disclosed without their consent during and after a research study.

research ethics: A set of principles and guidelines that govern the conduct of research, focusing on the moral responsibilities of researchers towards their participants and the integrity of the research process.