Which statement best describes what an IRB is responsible for reviewing?

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is primarily responsible for reviewing research involving human subjects to ensure their rights, welfare, and safety are protected. This involves evaluating the ethical considerations of a study, assessing informed consent processes, and reviewing the potential risks and benefits of the research.

The IRB’s focus as outlined in the correct choice emphasizes the protection of human subjects, which is a fundamental aspect of ethical research practices. This responsibility stems from regulations designed to safeguard participants in research studies, reflecting the importance of ethical oversight in research involving individuals.

In contrast, while qualifications of research staff, funding sources, and expected outcomes are important considerations in conducting research, they are not the primary focus of an IRB review. The IRB does not primarily evaluate the research staff's qualifications, as this is often managed by the sponsoring institution. It does consider funding sources in terms of potential conflicts of interest, but this is secondary to its main mission of protecting human subjects. The expected outcomes may be assessed to some extent for their ethical implications, but they are not under the direct purview of the IRB's responsibilities.