An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an administrative body established by an organization, typically an academic or research institution, responsible for overseeing and regulating research activities involving human subjects. The primary purpose of an IRB is to protect the rights, welfare, and well-being of human participants involved in research studies.
The IRB serves as an ethical and scientific safeguard, ensuring that research studies adhere to all applicable ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements. It reviews and approves research protocols, informed consent processes, data collection methods, and any potential risks associated with participation in the research. The board also monitors the progress of ongoing studies and regularly re-evaluates their ethical and scientific integrity.
To carry out its responsibilities, an IRB is composed of diverse members, including scientists, medical professionals, ethicists, community representatives, and legal experts. The composition aims to provide a comprehensive and multidisciplinary perspective to evaluate research projects thoroughly.
The IRB operates based on several ethical principles, including respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. It ensures that research participants are treated with dignity, informed about the study, and have the right to make autonomous decisions regarding their involvement. Additionally, the IRB ensures that the potential benefits of the research outweigh the risks for participants and that the selection of subjects and distribution of research benefits are fair and just.
Overall, an Institutional Review Board plays a crucial role in maintaining the ethical standards of research involving human subjects, safeguarding their rights and welfare through thorough review and oversight.
