What does risk assessment evaluate in the context of Institutional Review Boards?

Risk assessment in the context of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) focuses primarily on evaluating the physical, psychological, and social risks that participants may encounter as a result of their involvement in a research study. This process is essential to ensure that participant safety is prioritized and potential harms are minimized.

The assessment considers various factors, including the nature of the research, the vulnerability of the population being studied, and the potential for adverse effects. By meticulously examining these risks, IRBs can determine if the anticipated benefits of the research outweigh the potential harm to participants, thereby fulfilling their ethical obligation to protect individuals involved in research.

In contrast, other options such as financial costs, gender representation, and geographic location, while important aspects of study design and planning, do not directly pertain to the assessment of risks faced by participants. These factors may influence the overall feasibility or integrity of the research, but they do not address the core mission of the IRB, which is to safeguard the well-being of research participants.