Question

1. Determine if your school and hospital has an institutional review board (IRB).
2. Which criteria do the board members use when approving a research project?
3. Should it be a requirement that EBP projects be approved by an IRB?
4. List the reasons why or why not IRB approval is necessary.

Answer each in paragraph form (350 words)

Answer 1

Institutional Review Board( IRB)

Institutional Review boards are the independent review committee established to protect the rights of research samples( human beings). IRB also known as Institutional Ethical Committee ( IEC) or Independent ethics committee. IRB makes sure that there will not be any breach of the ethics in the particular research before the final approval of research.

Criterias for the approval of a research project by IRB

There are certain criterias, that should meet by the research project for getting an approval from the IRB. These criterias are laid down on the basis of three main principles; the principles are Beneficience, justice and respect for the subject.

The criterias are;

* exposure the subjects to risk should be avoided or it should be minimal ( the research project should use scientific research design).

* the expected benefits are to be more when compared with the risks involved in the research for the study samples.

* prior to the implementation of research, informed consent should be obtained from the samples. ( in case of minor and mentally disabled or diseased, guardians/ parents or care takers should sign on the informed consent)

* There should not be any discrimination based on gender, race and social class while choosing the participants

* confidentiality of data should be maintained and there should not be any breach in privacy of participants such as revealing the name.

* If the samples of study are vulnerable population ( children, people with mental illness or mental disability) extra measures to be taken to safeguard their rights.

EBP projects and IRB

Evidence based practice( EBP) projects can be continued without the approval of IRB committee. Evidence based practice projects helps the nurses to make clinical decisions. This clinical decisions evolve mostly from the current research evidence.

Why IRB approval is necessary.?

Institutional Review boards are established to safeguard the rights of human samples. These committees are formed under the national and international regulations and laws regarding research. IRB approval is necessary for a research,especially that involving an intervention or treatment on human samples, to continue to its completion. IRB can accept , reject and monitor the studies. Rejection of a research study by IRB leads to the discontinuation of the study. No organization will permit to continue a research study that doesn't have an approval of IRB. No universities or boards will not accept a research without IRB approval. Journals also won't accept a research study that doesn't have an ethical certificate. IRB approval is essential for a research study for it's successful completion.