What is the role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)?

The role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) is fundamentally centered on the ethical review of research proposals. This ensures that all research involving human subjects adheres to ethical standards and protects the rights and welfare of participants. An IRB assesses the potential risks and benefits of the proposed research, ensuring that informed consent is obtained and that the research is conducted with respect for the participants.

While monitoring the performance of researchers and ensuring compliance with legal regulations are important aspects of research governance, these responsibilities do not capture the primary function of an IRB. Additionally, funding research projects is typically outside the scope of what IRBs are tasked with; rather, they focus on the oversight of ethical considerations in the research process. Therefore, the primary mission of IRBs is to review research proposals to ensure ethical standards are rigorously maintained.