What are the roles of ethics committees in research?

What are the main roles of ethics committees in research?

Ethics committees, also known as Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), primarily ensure that research involving human subjects is conducted ethically. They review research proposals to protect participants' rights and welfare.

How do they evaluate research proposals?

They assess the potential risks and benefits, ensure informed consent processes are in place, and check compliance with ethical standards and regulations.

What happens if a study is deemed unethical?

If a study is deemed unethical, the ethics committee can disapprove the research, requiring the researchers to make necessary changes or abandon the study altogether.

Can ethics committees influence the research outcomes?

While ethics committees do not influence outcomes directly, their oversight can shape the research design and methodology to ensure ethical standards are met.