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

• A. Protects human subjects, ensures risks are minimized, informed consent, privacy, and ethical conduct.
• B. Maximizes data collection from participants.
• C. Approves any study regardless of risk.
• D. Analyzes data and writes reports.

Answer: (A)

The IRB exists to safeguard people who participate in research. Its main job is to review study plans to make sure any risks are minimized, that the potential benefits justify those risks, and that participants are properly informed and able to give voluntary consent. The board also checks that privacy and confidentiality of participants are protected and that the research is conducted in an ethical, regulatory-compliant way. Only after the IRB approves can a study proceed, and they may require changes or ongoing monitoring if concerns arise.

Maximizing data collection isn’t the focus; the IRB weighs risk against benefits and ethical considerations. It doesn’t approve every study regardless of risk, since it has the authority to require modifications or deny approval if the risks are too high. And it doesn’t analyze data or write reports—that work belongs to researchers and analysts.