An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an administrative body established to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects during their participation in research activities under the patronages of the institution with which it is affiliated.

This blog looks at the role and responsibilities of the Institutional Review Board in research.

What are the roles and responsibilities of IRB?

The responsibility inferred upon the IRB is to review, before its initiation, all the research activities (whether funded or not) which involve human subjects. The IRB has the task of protecting the welfare, privacy, and rights of the human subjects. 

Per federal regulations and institutional policies, the IRB can approve, disapprove, monitor, and modify all research activities within its jurisdiction.

What is the composition of the IRB?

There shall be a minimum of five members of differing backgrounds in the IRB to provide an adequate review of human research and its implications based on an institutional, scientific, legal, and social basis. 

Furthermore, at least one other member included on the board who has no affiliation with the institution and another member who is not a scientist. There are many consultants of IRB who offer advice to the board and are involved in protocol reviews from time to time. 

Final word

As part of the SBER IRB review process, the board is responsible for assuring, both in advance and periodically, that all appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of humans participating as research subjects. Learn eCORE offers foundational training on the US federal regulations to protect human subjects in SBER (social, behavioral, and educational research) studies.