Who is responsible for protecting the rights of research participants?

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) plays a crucial role in protecting the rights of research participants. Its primary function is to review research proposals to ensure that ethical standards are met, particularly in regards to the safety and well-being of participants. The IRB evaluates aspects such as informed consent, risk assessment, and overall ethical considerations involved in research studies. By conducting these reviews, the IRB helps ensure that researchers uphold the rights and welfare of individuals participating in research, which is fundamental to maintaining ethical research practices.

While the Principal Investigator (PI) has a responsibility to conduct studies ethically, and the university administration supports compliance with regulations, it is the IRB that has the formal authority and mandate to oversee ethical standards in research involving human subjects. The funding agency may set certain conditions for research, but its role is generally not focused on the direct protection of participants’ rights in the way the IRB’s responsibilities are.