What is the role of institutional review boards (IRBs) in research?

The role of institutional review boards (IRBs) is to evaluate research proposals to ensure the rights and welfare of research participants are protected. This involves reviewing the research design to assess potential risks and benefits, ensuring that ethical standards are upheld, and verifying that the informed consent process is adequate. IRBs are crucial in safeguarding participant interests by ensuring that research adheres to ethical guidelines and complies with regulatory standards.

The other options, while related to the research process, do not accurately define the IRB's primary function. Preparing funding proposals is typically the responsibility of the researchers themselves, not the IRB. Publishing research findings is done by researchers or academic journals and is not part of an IRB's duties. Conducting experiments is also outside the purview of IRBs, which focus on review and oversight rather than carrying out research activities themselves.