what is an irb

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee at an institution that applies research ethics by reviewing the methods proposed for research done at that institution. The IRB is an administrative body established to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects recruited to participate in research activities conducted under its jurisdiction. The IRB is charged with the responsibility of reviewing, prior to its initiation, all research (whether funded or not) involving human participants. The IRB is concerned with protecting the welfare, rights, and privacy of human subjects. The IRB has the authority to approve, exempt, disapprove, monitor, and require modifications in all research activities that fall within its jurisdiction as specified by both the federal regulations and institutional policy. IRBs are most commonly used for studies in the fields of health and the social sciences, including anthropology, sociology, and psychology. The purpose of IRB review is to assure, both in advance and by periodic review, that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of humans participating as subjects in the research.