What role do Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) play in research?

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) are critical in research involving human participants as they play a fundamental role in ensuring ethical standards and participant safety. Their primary function is to review research protocols and related materials to assure that the rights and welfare of the participants are protected. This includes evaluating the potential risks and benefits of the research, the informed consent process, and any safeguards that are in place to minimize risks.

IRBs are tasked with making sure that the research complies with ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements. This is especially important in fields like oncology, where studies often involve vulnerable populations and complex treatment protocols. By ensuring that ethical considerations are prioritized, IRBs help build public trust in research practices and protect individuals involved in studies from potential harm.

Other options mentioned do not align with the core responsibilities of IRBs. For example, while IRBs may have some input in studies involving animals, their primary focus is human research. They do not fund research projects or monitor the governmental funding approval process but rather serve to oversee the ethical conduct of studies once they are underway.