Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Definition

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee established to review and approve research involving human subjects, ensuring that ethical standards are upheld. The IRB plays a critical role in safeguarding participants' rights and welfare by assessing research proposals for ethical concerns, such as informed consent and potential risks. It also ensures compliance with regulatory guidelines, making the IRB an essential part of the research process.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. IRBs are required by federal law in the U.S. for any research funded by federal agencies that involves human subjects.
2. The IRB reviews research protocols to assess risks versus benefits to ensure that participants are not exposed to unnecessary harm.
3. Membership of an IRB typically includes a diverse group of individuals, including scientists, non-scientists, and community members to provide varied perspectives.
4. Researchers must submit detailed proposals to the IRB before beginning their studies, including information on recruitment methods, informed consent processes, and data handling.
5. IRBs have the authority to approve or disapprove studies based on ethical considerations and can also require modifications before granting approval.

Review Questions

• How does the Institutional Review Board (IRB) contribute to ethical considerations in research involving human subjects?
  • The IRB ensures that ethical considerations are central to research involving human subjects by reviewing study protocols to assess potential risks and benefits. It evaluates how researchers plan to obtain informed consent and how they will protect participants' rights throughout the study. By requiring compliance with ethical guidelines, the IRB acts as a safeguard against unethical practices, promoting the welfare of participants.
• Discuss the importance of informed consent within the context of the IRB's responsibilities and ethical standards.
  • Informed consent is crucial for upholding ethical standards in research, and the IRB plays a vital role in overseeing this process. The IRB evaluates whether researchers adequately inform participants about study procedures, risks, and their right to withdraw at any time. By ensuring that informed consent is obtained effectively, the IRB helps protect participants' autonomy and fosters trust in the research process.
• Evaluate how IRBs can influence the design of research studies and the implications this has for researchers seeking approval.
  • IRBs influence research design by establishing ethical requirements that researchers must meet before gaining approval. This impact shapes how studies are structured, including aspects such as participant recruitment strategies and data collection methods. Researchers must carefully consider these requirements early in their study planning to ensure compliance, which can lead to more ethically sound research practices but may also limit some creative approaches in study design.

Related terms

Informed Consent:

A process through which researchers provide potential participants with all necessary information about a study, allowing them to make an informed decision about their participation.

Ethical Guidelines: Frameworks that outline the moral principles and standards researchers must adhere to while conducting research, ensuring respect for participants' rights and welfare.

Human Subjects Research: Research involving individuals from whom data is collected through intervention, interaction, or by obtaining identifiable private information.