RACC Certified Research Administrator (CRA) Practice Exam

At the heart of IRB oversight is protecting people in research. The IRB has the authority to review a study and decide whether it can proceed, including the power to approve it, require modifications to address safety or ethical concerns before approval, or disapprove it if those concerns cannot be resolved. If a study is ongoing and problems arise, the IRB can suspend or terminate the approval to stop the research. It also has the duty to require continuing review, rechecking the study at intervals appropriate to the level of risk to ensure ongoing protection of participants.

The IRB does not conduct grant audits or make funding decisions; those responsibilities lie with sponsors, grant offices, or the institution’s research administration.