Certification for IRB Professionals (CIP) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a primary responsibility of IRBs?

1. To conduct all research studies

2. To oversee funding for research projects

3. To review and approve research involving human subjects

4. To manage financial conflicts of interest

The correct answer is: To review and approve research involving human subjects

The primary responsibility of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) is to review and approve research involving human subjects. This function is crucial because it ensures that the rights, welfare, and safety of participants are protected throughout the research process. IRBs evaluate research proposals to assess the potential risks and benefits to participants, ensure that informed consent processes are appropriately designed, and confirm that the research complies with ethical standards and regulatory requirements. In carrying out this responsibility, IRBs help to foster ethical research practices and maintain public trust in research activities. Their review process involves assessing the research protocol, the qualifications of the researchers, and the informed consent documents, among other factors. This rigorous review process is central to ethical oversight and helps mitigate risks associated with human subject research. The other options, while related to the broader context of research ethics and compliance, do not align directly with the core responsibilities of IRBs. Conducting research studies is the role of researchers, overseeing funding involves administrative or grant management roles, and managing financial conflicts of interest typically falls under the purview of institutional conflict of interest committees rather than IRBs specifically.