What is the primary role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

• A. To protect the rights and welfare of human research participants by reviewing research protocols.
• B. To fund and oversee all clinical trials.
• C. To publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• D. To recruit participants for studies.

Answer: (A)

The central job of the IRB is to safeguard people who participate in research by examining proposed studies for ethical and safety issues before they begin. It weighs risks against potential benefits, ensures that informed consent will be obtained properly, and checks that privacy and data confidentiality are protected. The IRB also looks at protections for vulnerable groups and reviews the recruitment approach to make sure participation is voluntary and fair. This review and ongoing oversight reflect regulatory standards and the principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. Funding trials, publishing results, or recruiting participants are handled by other parts of the system; the IRB’s primary function is to protect rights and welfare through protocol review and oversight.