What is the primary function of oversight bodies like IRBs or IACUCs?

Oversight bodies like Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) are primarily responsible for ensuring that research involving human or animal subjects adheres to ethical standards and regulatory requirements. Their main function is to protect the rights, welfare, and well-being of these subjects by reviewing research proposals to ensure compliance with relevant laws and ethical guidelines.

In the case of IRBs, this includes assessing how research design minimizes risks to participants, obtaining informed consent, and ensuring that the research is necessary and justified. For IACUCs, similar oversight applies to animal research, focusing on humane treatment, appropriate care, and ethical usage of animals in research contexts.

The other options, while relevant to the broader context of research, do not directly align with the core purpose of these oversight bodies. Facilitating research funding and promoting collaboration, although important, are not their primary roles. Conducting educational workshops is also not a main focus; instead, their primary function is centered around compliance and ethical oversight. Therefore, the correct choice accurately reflects their essential role in maintaining the integrity and ethical standards of research involving human and animal subjects.