An Institutional Review Board (IRB), also known as an Independent Ethics Committee (IEC), is a type of committee that applies research ethics by reviewing the methods proposed for research to ensure that they are ethical.

Independent Ethics Committee

An IRB/IEC plays a very important role in clinical trial studies by reviewing the correctness of the clinical trial protocols, as well as the risks and benefits to each study participant.

It also ensures that each clinical trial participant is exposed to minimal risks in relation to any benefits that might result from the clinical study.