An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a group of people that reviews and monitors research involving human participants. In accordance with federal regulations, an IRB has the authority to approve, require modifications in, or disapprove research. The purpose of IRB review is to assure that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of humans participating as subjects in the research, that the PI is qualified to conduct the study, and that risks are minimized and they are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits. IRBs review research protocols and related materials (e.g., informed consent documents). IRBs are composed of physicians, scientists, and non-scientists from a wide range of fields and specialties. Many of the studies on this website are overseen by the University of Arizona IRB, known as the Human Subjects Protection Program, while others are overseen by IRBs at other universities, medical centers, federal departments (such as the Veterans Administration Central IRB), or commercial IRBs. IRB members who are involved or have a conflicting interest in the research that is being reviewed are prohibited from participating in IRB review of their study. The Human Subjects Protection Program has additional information available for research participants, which can be found here.
