What Role Do Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) Play?
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) play a crucial role in overseeing the ethical aspects of research studies. They are responsible for reviewing research proposals to ensure that the rights and welfare of participants are protected. IRBs assess the adequacy of the informed consent process and evaluate whether the study adheres to ethical guidelines. They also ensure that the risks to participants are minimized and are reasonable in relation to the anticipated benefits and the importance of the knowledge to be gained.