What is one of the primary obligations of the IRB toward the community?

One of the primary obligations of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) toward the community is to respect local values and stakeholder participation. This responsibility reflects the importance of considering the cultural, social, and ethical contexts in which research is conducted. Engaging with the community ensures that research projects are designed and implemented in a manner that aligns with the community's values and addresses its needs.

By respecting local values, the IRB fosters trust between researchers and the community, which is essential for the successful conduct of research. Inclusion of stakeholders in the research process promotes transparency and enhances the ethical oversight of research activities. It ensures that participants are not only subjects of research but also active contributors to the process.

This obligation acknowledges the significance of community input and the potential impacts that research may have on community members, ultimately resulting in more socially responsible and ethically sound research practices.