What mechanisms are suggested in the Belmont Report for ensuring accountability in research?

The Belmont Report emphasizes the importance of oversight and adherence to ethical guidelines as essential mechanisms for ensuring accountability in research. Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) play a critical role in this process by reviewing research proposals to ensure they align with ethical principles, such as respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. This oversight helps uphold ethical standards and protect the well-being of research participants.

While peer reviews, informal discussions, and self-assessments can contribute to accountability in their own ways, they do not provide the structured, formalized approach that IRBs do. The role of IRBs is specifically designed to create a thorough and systematic means of evaluation, offering a safeguard that is vital for maintaining ethical integrity in research practices. Therefore, the emphasis on oversight by IRBs in conjunction with adherence to established ethical guidelines forms a robust framework for research accountability as outlined in the Belmont Report.