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

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) plays a crucial role in the research process by reviewing research proposals to ensure that they meet ethical standards. This involves assessing the potential risks to participants, ensuring informed consent processes are in place, and protecting the rights and welfare of individuals involved in research activities. The IRB is tasked with safeguarding participants from potential harm that can arise from research studies, making their review process essential for ethical compliance within a research institution.

While other options mention activities related to research, they do not encompass the primary responsibility of the IRB. For instance, funding research initiatives is typically handled by grant agencies, oversight of data analysis is usually the role of researchers themselves or institutional departments, and participant recruitment is conducted by the research team, not the IRB. Thus, reviewing research proposals for ethical standards is the central focus of the IRB's responsibilities.