What is the main goal of reporting an unanticipated problem to an IRB?

The primary goal of reporting an unanticipated problem to an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to ensure participant safety and welfare. When unanticipated events occur during research that may pose risks to participants, it is critical for researchers to communicate these incidents to the IRB. This group is responsible for protecting the rights and well-being of research subjects, and timely reporting enables the IRB to review the situation, assess the risks, and determine if changes to the study protocols are necessary to protect participants. Ensuring participant safety is a foundational ethical principle in research involving human subjects and is central to the IRB's mission.

In contrast, while informing about research challenges or clarifying legal issues may be relevant in some contexts, they are not the primary focus of IRB reporting. Enhancing the reputation of the research team does not align with the ethical responsibilities that guide research oversight and participant protection. Thus, the most fitting objective of reporting unanticipated problems to an IRB is indeed related to safeguarding the well-being of participants involved in the research.