which statement best describes the role of an irb: a committee that reviews all types of research a committee that reviews an institution’s conflict of interest policies a committee that reviews all biomedical research a committee that reviews different types of human subjects research
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The statement that best describes the role of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is: “a committee that reviews different types of human subjects research.”
Explanation
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an essential component of the research ethics framework in institutions conducting studies involving human subjects. The primary responsibility of an IRB is to protect the rights and welfare of research participants by ensuring that any research involving humans is conducted ethically and in compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies.
IRBs review research proposals to assess the ethical considerations involved, ensuring that risks to participants are minimized and are reasonable in relation to the anticipated benefits. This includes evaluating the informed consent process, where researchers must provide potential participants with sufficient information about the study’s purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits, allowing them to make an informed decision about participation.
While IRBs predominantly focus on biomedical research, their purview extends to various fields, including social sciences, psychology, and behavioral studies. This means that an IRB does not exclusively review biomedical research but encompasses a broader range of human subjects research. The diversity in research types necessitates that IRB members often possess varied expertise to evaluate the ethical dimensions of different methodologies and participant interactions.
In addition to reviewing research protocols, IRBs also monitor ongoing studies for compliance and may require progress reports from researchers. They have the authority to approve, require modifications to, or disapprove research projects based on ethical considerations.
In summary, an IRB’s role is not limited to reviewing biomedical research or institutional conflict of interest policies; rather, it is a multifaceted committee dedicated to overseeing various types of human subjects research to uphold ethical standards and protect participants’ rights.