What does "human subject protections" aim to ensure?

"Human subject protections" aim to ensure that participants in research studies have their rights respected, their safety maintained, and their well-being prioritized throughout the research process. This principle is central to ethical research practices and the oversight provided by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs). It involves obtaining informed consent from participants, ensuring that they understand the nature of the research, any potential risks, and their right to withdraw at any time without penalty. By focusing on these protections, researchers not only comply with ethical standards but also foster trust and cooperation among participants, which is essential for the integrity of the research.

The other options, while related to research, do not directly address the core purpose of human subject protections. Increased funding, broader participant recruitment, and faster data collection are goals or outcomes that may benefit from ethical practices but do not encapsulate the fundamental intent of safeguarding human subjects in research.