Institutional Review Board

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 primary purpose of an IRB is to protect the rights, welfare, and privacy of participants by evaluating research proposals for ethical concerns, risks, and benefits.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. IRBs are mandated by federal regulations in many countries to oversee research involving human subjects, ensuring compliance with ethical standards.
2. The review process conducted by an IRB includes assessing the potential risks and benefits of a study, making sure that participants are not exposed to undue harm.
3. Members of an IRB typically include individuals with diverse backgrounds, such as scientists, ethicists, and community representatives, to ensure a well-rounded perspective during reviews.
4. Researchers must submit their proposals to the IRB before starting their studies, and any significant changes to the study design must also be approved.
5. Non-compliance with IRB requirements can lead to serious consequences, including the suspension of research activities and potential legal liabilities for researchers.

Review Questions

• How does an Institutional Review Board contribute to the ethical conduct of research involving human subjects?
  • An Institutional Review Board plays a crucial role in maintaining ethical standards in research involving human subjects by reviewing proposals to ensure that participants' rights and welfare are protected. The IRB evaluates factors such as informed consent processes, potential risks, and benefits associated with the study. By providing oversight and requiring adherence to ethical guidelines, the IRB helps to foster trust between researchers and participants while promoting responsible research practices.
• Discuss the importance of informed consent in the context of an Institutional Review Board's responsibilities.
  • Informed consent is a fundamental aspect of ethical research that an Institutional Review Board must evaluate when reviewing research proposals. The IRB ensures that participants receive clear and comprehensive information about the study's purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits before agreeing to participate. This process not only respects the autonomy of participants but also enhances their understanding of what involvement entails, fostering an ethical framework within which researchers operate.
• Evaluate the potential consequences for researchers who fail to adhere to Institutional Review Board guidelines in their studies.
  • Researchers who do not comply with Institutional Review Board guidelines face significant repercussions that can impact both their professional careers and the integrity of their research. Consequences may include suspension or termination of their research activities, damage to their reputation within the academic community, and potential legal actions. Furthermore, failure to adhere to ethical standards undermines public trust in research practices and could harm participants involved in studies that are conducted irresponsibly or without proper oversight.

Related terms

Informed Consent: A process in which researchers provide potential participants with clear and comprehensive information about a study, allowing them to make an educated decision about their participation.

Ethics Review: The evaluation process carried out by an IRB to assess the ethical implications of a research proposal, ensuring compliance with established guidelines and standards.

Human Subjects Research: Research that involves collecting data from or about living individuals, where the participants' rights and welfare must be protected throughout the study.