How does the IRB address potential ethical dilemmas?

The correct response highlights the key function of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in ensuring that research involving human subjects adheres to established ethical standards. The IRB systematically evaluates research proposals by reviewing their adherence to ethical guidelines, which are designed to protect the rights and welfare of participants. This evaluation process includes assessing aspects such as informed consent, potential risks to participants, and the balance of risks versus benefits.

By focusing on the ethical guidelines, the IRB plays a crucial role in identifying and addressing potential ethical dilemmas before the research begins. This proactive approach helps to safeguard participants' welfare and promotes ethical conduct in research practices.

Encouraging researchers to prioritize speed over ethics, which is suggested in one of the other choices, runs counter to the fundamental principles of ethical research. Similarly, allowing researchers to self-assess without an independent review risks overlooking critical ethical considerations. Writing comprehensive reports for each dilemma, while informative, does not directly address how potential dilemmas are managed in the first place. The emphasis of the IRB is on evaluation and oversight, ensuring ethical practices are in place before research commences.