What is the main role of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

The main role of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to review and approve human subjects research activities. This function is crucial in ensuring that research involving human participants is conducted ethically and in accordance with established ethical principles and regulatory requirements. The IRB's responsibilities include evaluating the risks and benefits of the proposed research, ensuring that participants provide informed consent, and monitoring the study to protect the welfare of the subjects involved.

The IRB's review process is designed to safeguard the rights and well-being of research participants, which is essential in maintaining public trust in research practices. This involvement is particularly important in fields where research might involve sensitive subjects or vulnerable populations. By meticulously assessing studies before they begin, the IRB plays a pivotal role in advancing ethical standards in human subjects research.

The other options outline important aspects of research and its oversight but do not capture the comprehensive and specific functions of the IRB. Conducting all human subjects research and supervising clinical trials suggest responsibilities that exceed the IRB's mandate, while ensuring financial ethics pertains to a different aspect of research, focusing on the integrity of financial management rather than the protection of human subjects.