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

The role of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is critical in the context of research involving human subjects. An IRB is an independent committee established to ensure that ethical standards are upheld in research projects. Its primary responsibility is to review research proposals to assess whether the rights and welfare of participants are adequately protected. This includes evaluating the potential risks and benefits, ensuring informed consent processes are clear, and confirming that the research complies with ethical guidelines and federal regulations.

In this context, the IRB plays a fundamental role in safeguarding participants by monitoring ongoing research studies, ensuring that any potential ethical issues are addressed. It serves as a check to help prevent misconduct in research, thereby fostering trust in the research process and protecting participants from harm.

The other options describe roles that do not align with the primary function of an IRB. Managing and storing medical records is typically handled by healthcare providers or data management entities, legal representation for patients involves legal professionals, and distributing funding for medical research is usually the responsibility of grant agencies, foundations, or other funding organizations, not an IRB.