What is the primary purpose of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in research?

The primary purpose of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to review research proposals for ethical standards. The IRB is a committee that evaluates research studies to ensure that they adhere to ethical guidelines and protect the rights and welfare of human participants involved in research. This includes assessing the potential risks and benefits of the research, ensuring informed consent is obtained from participants, and that the research complies with ethical standards and federal regulations.

The IRB plays a critical role in upholding ethical standards in research, reflecting a commitment to necessary precautions when involving human subjects. It does not approve funding, conduct the studies themselves, or publish findings, distinguishing its specific focus on ethical oversight.