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 maintained. The IRB plays a crucial role in protecting the rights and welfare of participants by evaluating research protocols, informed consent processes, and potential risks versus benefits. Its oversight helps foster trust in the research process and ensures compliance with federal regulations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. IRBs are required by federal regulations in the United States for any research involving human subjects, ensuring ethical oversight.
2. The main responsibilities of an IRB include reviewing research protocols, monitoring ongoing studies, and addressing any ethical concerns that arise during the research process.
3. IRBs assess risks to participants and ensure that potential benefits justify those risks, emphasizing participant safety and well-being.
4. Members of an IRB typically include scientists, non-scientists, and community members to provide diverse perspectives on the ethical considerations of the research.
5. The IRB process not only safeguards participants but also enhances the credibility of research findings by demonstrating ethical compliance.

Review Questions

• How does an IRB ensure the ethical treatment of human subjects in research?
  • An IRB ensures the ethical treatment of human subjects by reviewing research proposals to evaluate potential risks and benefits. It requires researchers to provide informed consent processes that explain the study's purpose and any possible risks to participants. Additionally, the IRB monitors ongoing studies to address any ethical concerns that may arise during the course of the research, ensuring that participants' rights and welfare are prioritized throughout.
• Discuss the importance of informed consent in the context of IRB evaluations.
  • Informed consent is a critical component evaluated by IRBs because it empowers participants to make knowledgeable decisions about their involvement in research. The IRB assesses whether researchers provide clear and comprehensive information about the study's nature, risks, benefits, and confidentiality measures. This process not only respects participant autonomy but also builds trust in the research environment by demonstrating that researchers prioritize transparency and ethical practices.
• Evaluate how the presence of an IRB impacts both researchers and participants in human subjects research.
  • The presence of an IRB significantly impacts both researchers and participants by establishing a framework for ethical oversight that promotes responsible conduct. For researchers, it offers guidance on ethical standards and helps ensure compliance with regulations, which can enhance the legitimacy of their findings. For participants, an IRB's review process safeguards their rights and well-being, fostering trust in research endeavors and encouraging participation by ensuring their safety is a priority.

Related terms

Informed Consent:

A process through which researchers provide potential participants with sufficient information about a study, allowing them to make an educated decision about their involvement.

Ethical Guidelines: A set of principles that guide researchers in conducting studies responsibly, respecting participant autonomy, and minimizing harm.

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