what is the irb

The 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 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. The purpose of the IRB is to assure that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of people participating in a research study. The IRB reviews research protocols and related materials to ensure protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects of research. IRBs are most commonly used for studies in the fields of health and the social sciences, including anthropology, sociology, and psychology. The IRB shall have at least five members of varying backgrounds in order to provide complete and adequate review of human research and its institutional, legal, scientific, and social implications. The Board will also include at least one member who is not affiliated with the institution and one member who is not a scientist.