IRBs (Institutional Review Boards)

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) are committees tasked with protecting the rights and welfare of people participating in research studies. Before researchers can begin their work, they must submit their plans to an IRB, which reviews the research to ensure it is ethical, safe, and that participants will be treated respectfully. IRBs assess risks, informed consent processes, and the overall impact of the research on participants. Their goal is to maintain ethical standards in research involving human subjects, balancing scientific progress with the protection of individual rights.