What happens after a researcher submits a proposal to the IRB?

Once a researcher submits a proposal to the Institutional Review Board (IRB), the process that follows involves a thorough review of the research plan to ensure ethical standards are met. The IRB assesses various aspects such as risks to participants, the informed consent process, and the overall design of the study. This review is critical as it ensures that the rights and welfare of human subjects are protected.

After the review, the IRB often provides feedback, which may include suggestions for modifications to enhance the study's compliance with ethical standards or to address potential concerns. This iterative process is key to ensuring that any study involving human subjects is ethically sound and follows established guidelines, thus safeguarding participants' interests before research can commence.

Other options, such as automatic approval or the necessity for immediate study initiation, do not reflect the careful and structured approach the IRB takes in evaluating proposals. Public hearings are not a standard step in the IRB process for every proposal, as such hearings might only occur under specific circumstances or for particular types of studies.