What is the role of sponsors and funders in the IRB review process for social/behavioral research?

Study for the CITI Training Social and Behavioral Focus Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and detailed explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The main idea is that funding comes from sponsors, who may require specific protections for participants, while the IRB’s job is to protect people in the study. Sponsors provide the money and can attach conditions—such as privacy protections, risk minimization, and reporting requirements—that must be followed. The IRB reviews the study to ensure those protections are in place and that risks are reasonable in relation to the potential benefits, including reviewed consent processes and confidentiality safeguards. Investigators must comply with both sponsor requirements and IRB determinations, and they report to both as required. The IRB does not decide who funds the study, and it does not approve funding decisions.