What is the primary goal of continuing review by the IRB?

The primary goal of continuing review by the IRB is to ensure ongoing protection of participants. This process is critical in research involving human subjects, as it allows the IRB to monitor the ethical aspects of the study throughout its duration. Continuing review assesses whether the risks to participants are still minimized and whether the benefits justify those risks at every stage of the study.

This ongoing oversight helps to identify any changes in the research protocol or unforeseen risks that may arise after the initial approval, ensuring that participant welfare remains the top priority. The IRB evaluates any new information that could affect the risk-benefit ratio of the research and can require modifications or even halt the study if necessary to protect participants.

While facilitating participant enrollment and increasing research funding may be important aspects of running research studies, they are not the primary focus of continuing review. Similarly, finalizing research outcomes represents an endpoint of the research rather than an active concern during its conduct. The emphasis of continuing review lies firmly in safeguarding the rights and well-being of participants throughout the research process.