What aspect is addressed by the Institutional Review Board in research?

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) plays a crucial role in overseeing the ethical conduct of research involving human subjects. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that research protocols adhere to ethical standards, safeguarding the rights, welfare, and safety of participants. When the IRB reviews a research proposal, it assesses various factors related to the methodology being employed to ensure that the research design minimizes risks and maximizes benefits. Additionally, the IRB examines how informed consent is obtained and whether potential conflicts of interest are adequately managed.

While matters like sample size determination, statistical analysis, and funding allocation are important aspects of research design and execution, they fall outside the IRB's primary mandate. The IRB's focus specifically pertains to the ethical considerations and methodological integrity of the study to protect participants, making the review of ethics and methodology central to its function.