研究倫理委員會的主要職責是保護人類受試者的權利與福祉,並透過審查與監督研究計畫來達成此目的。研究倫理委員會在初始審查階段對於研究計畫有核准、建議修正、與否決之權力;在持續審查階段對研究的執行與知情同意過程應持續觀察,並有提出修正、擱置或終止研究案之權力。審查與監督之重點在於:確保研究計畫具有社會與科學價值、避免受試者暴露在不合理的風險中、知情同意與隱私保障之落實等。此外,研究倫理委員會並扮演提供相關倫理諮詢與倫理教育之角色,藉以從根本達成「保護受試者」之目標。
- A multidisciplinary, independent body responsible for reviewing research proposals to ensure that the necessary procedures will be followed and the dignity, rights and welfare of any participants (human or animals) are protected.
- A committee responsible for reviewing and overseeing human subjects research. An IRB may also be called a research ethics committee (REC) or research ethics board (REB). IRBs usually include members from different backgrounds and disciplines, with institutional and outside members, scientists and non-scientists.