What does the acronym IRB stand for in the context of research ethics?

The acronym IRB stands for Institutional Review Board in the context of research ethics. An Institutional Review Board is a committee established to review and oversee research involving human subjects to ensure that the research complies with ethical standards and regulations. Their main role is to protect the rights, welfare, and well-being of participants, ensuring that risks are minimized and that participants provide informed consent.

IRBs are critical for upholding ethical standards because they assess the potential risks and benefits of the research, evaluate the research protocols, and ensure that participants are fully informed about the study's purpose, procedures, potential risks, and their rights. This oversight helps maintain public trust in the research process and safeguards against unethical practices in research.

Other options provided, such as Internal Research Bureau, Independent Research Board, and International Review of Biomedicine, do not accurately capture the purpose or definition of what an IRB is in the context of research ethics, as they do not hold the same regulatory and oversight role.