IRB (Institutional Review Board)

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee that reviews and oversees research involving human participants to ensure their rights, safety, and well-being are protected. Before a study begins, the IRB evaluates the research plan, consent procedures, and potential risks versus benefits. Their role is to confirm that ethical standards are met, that participants are fully informed, and that risks are minimized. IRBs are essential for maintaining ethical integrity in research, particularly in medical and social studies, fostering public trust and safeguarding participants throughout the research process.