Which statement best describes an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
A Subjects are told what the purposes of the study are, what participation in the study involves, what risks (if any) are involved in participating, and what the person can expect to receive in return for participation.
B Subjects must be told the true purpose of the study and the reason for the deception.
C Personal information will not be shared with anyone outside the immediate research group and any results from the research will not identify any of the participants by name.
D They usually comprise people who have research experience themselves and therefore have experience that enables them to judge whether the research being proposed follows reasonable ethical guidelines.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The statement that best describes an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is:
D. They usually comprise people who have research experience themselves and therefore have experience that enables them to judge whether the research being proposed follows reasonable ethical guidelines.
Explanation:
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee established to review and approve research involving human subjects. Its primary purpose is to ensure that the rights, welfare, and safety of participants are protected in accordance with ethical standards and federal regulations.
IRBs typically consist of a diverse group of individuals with various backgrounds, including researchers, ethicists, and community members. This diverse composition is crucial because it provides a broad perspective on ethical issues in research. Members with research experience can critically evaluate the proposed studies, assessing their scientific validity and ethical considerations. They ensure that the research complies with ethical guidelines established by institutions and regulatory bodies, such as the Belmont Report, which outlines principles such as respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.
While options A, B, and C touch on aspects of research ethics and participant rights, they do not encapsulate the primary role and function of the IRB. Option A discusses informed consent, which is an important aspect of ethical research but not the defining feature of the IRB itself. Option B addresses the need for transparency regarding the purpose of a study, which may not always apply, especially in studies involving deception. Option C emphasizes confidentiality and the handling of personal information, which is an important consideration in research ethics but not the core function of the IRB.
In summary, the IRB’s fundamental role lies in reviewing research proposals to ensure that they adhere to ethical standards, which is why statement D accurately describes the board’s essential purpose and composition.