Write about why the IRB (Institutional Review Board) or the Belmont Principles are important to protect participants. Minimum two paragraphs and reference. 

Belmont Principles or the Institutional Review Board are vital to protecting participants in any type of research. Firstly, their main purpose is to ensure that all ethical standards &regulations are met while ensuring the safety &rights of those involved. Professionals can ensure that data collection is fair and non-biased by implementing the protocols.

Furthermore, it also helps protect an individual’s privacy & autonomy by allowing them to make informed decisions about whether or not they wish to participate . It is important to protect vulnerable groups as their rights will be respected, even if the individual does not have enough knowledge or capacity to understand what they are being asked. IRBs are also a safety net against any potential harm or risk, with protocols being in place should such an incident occur (Unesco 2018).

Overall, The Institutional Review Board (IRB) & Belmont Principles serve as a vital tool in protecting both researchers and their participants! Adhering to the guidelines will help promote fairness and encourage ethical research!

Reference:
UNESCO. (2018). The Ethics of Research Involving Human Subjects: A Global Perspective – UNITWIN Chair on Bioethics. [online] Available at: https://en.unesco.org/themes/bioethics/research-involving-human-subjects [Accessed 15 Apr 2021].