Institutional Review Board (IRB) Analysis Sample

Paper Instructions

Academic level – Undergraduate 3-4
Type of paper – Analysis
Topic Title – Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Instructions:

Explain, in detail, why the Institutional Review Board (IRB) is important.

Analysis Sample

The Institutional Review Board (IRB), which is in charge of protecting the rights, welfare, and safety of study participants, is a core element of research ethics. The IRB was created in reaction to several research scandals that occurred in the middle of the 20th century and involved unethical experiments being carried out on human beings without their knowledge or consent. Since that time, the IRB has been essential in protecting research participants and ensuring that studies’ framework follows an ethical and responsible format.

The IRB’s principal responsibility lies in examining research protocols and proposals to make sure they adhere to ethical and legal requirements. Reviewing the study’s design, potential risks and rewards, and the informed consent procedure constitute the primary measures (Orimadegun, 2020, p. 15). The IRB also keeps an eye on ongoing research to confirm it abides by these guidelines and that any modifications are approved by the IRB. The list of reasons for IRB’s practical utility and significance is multi-faceted and wide. The agency first aids in safeguarding the rights and well-being of study participants. The IRB contributes to reducing participant risks and guaranteeing that any possible benefits are maximized with studies’ planning, responsible attitude, and ethical grounds (White, 2020, p. 17). The body also promotes preserving public confidence in the research enterprise. The IRB assists with maintaining the public’s support for and participation in research when offering standards, distinctive guidelines, and leverages of control.

Consequently, the IRB represents an instrumental mechanism for protecting human subjects and preserving public confidence in research, but it also benefits scholars and institutions as a whole. The organization aids researchers in designing and conducting studies that adhere to ethical and legal norms by suggesting advice and support on moral dilemmas. Additionally, the IRB review procedure aids in locating potential hazards and ethical issues that researchers could have missed, improving study design and enhancing participant safety.

References
Orimadegun, A. E. (2020). Protocol and researcher’s relationship with Institutional Review Board. Afr J Biomed Res., 15–20.

White, M. G. (2020). Why human subjects research protection is important. Ochsner Journal, 20(1), 16–33. https://doi.org/10.31486/toj.20.5012