What is the role of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

The role of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is primarily focused on the protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects involved in research studies. An IRB reviews research protocols to ensure that ethical standards are upheld and that risks are minimized. This includes evaluating informed consent processes, assessing potential benefits and risks to participants, and ensuring that the research complies with federal regulations and institutional policies. By approving research involving human subjects, the IRB plays a crucial role in maintaining public trust in the research process and safeguarding participants from potential harm.

The other options do not align with the IRB's primary function. For instance, recruiting patients for studies is typically the responsibility of the research team, not the IRB. Managing hospital operations falls under administrative or management roles rather than ethical oversight. Lastly, while financial accountability is important in research, it is not the direct responsibility of the IRB, which focuses on ethical considerations rather than financial oversight.