Which of the following is a primary function of an REB when evaluating a proposal?

Which of the following is a primary function of an REB when evaluating a proposal?

• A. Review the ethical acceptability of the methods and design.
• B. Audit the institute's financials.
• C. Approve all research without modification.
• D. Determine the study's publication strategy.

Answer: (A)

REB oversight is fundamentally about protecting participants by ensuring that a study’s methods and design are ethically sound. This means the board evaluates how risks to people are minimized, whether potential benefits justify those risks, and how informed consent, privacy, and confidentiality will be handled. If ethical concerns arise, the board can require changes before approval and oversee the study as it proceeds. It does not audit an institute’s finances, does not grant blanket approval without modifications, and does not set publication strategies; those areas fall outside its responsibilities.

REB oversight is fundamentally about protecting participants by ensuring that a study’s methods and design are ethically sound. This means the board evaluates how risks to people are minimized, whether potential benefits justify those risks, and how informed consent, privacy, and confidentiality will be handled. If ethical concerns arise, the board can require changes before approval and oversee the study as it proceeds. It does not audit an institute’s finances, does not grant blanket approval without modifications, and does not set publication strategies; those areas fall outside its responsibilities.