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

The role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) is fundamentally centered on ensuring that ethical standards are upheld in research involving human participants. This includes reviewing research proposals to ensure that participants are treated fairly, that their rights and welfare are protected, and that any potential risks are minimized. The IRB evaluates how researchers plan to obtain informed consent from participants and whether they are taking appropriate measures to ensure confidentiality and anonymity.

This oversight is essential in maintaining public trust in the research process, as it assures that ethical considerations are not overlooked in the pursuit of knowledge. By focusing on participant welfare, the IRB serves as a critical gatekeeper for research that has the potential to affect individuals' lives.

The other options do not align with the primary functions of the IRB. Compiling data, restricting approvals to only certain types of research methods, and providing funding fall outside the IRB's mandate. The IRB's exclusive focus is on ethical oversight rather than data compilation or financial support.