Which statement best describes the role of an IRB?

The statement that describes the role of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is accurate because an IRB is primarily focused on the ethical review of research involving human subjects. Its main function is to ensure that any research conducted adheres to ethical standards, protecting the rights, welfare, and privacy of participants. The IRB assesses research proposals for potential risks to participants and ensures that appropriate safeguards are in place.

This role is crucial in maintaining ethical conduct within research settings, particularly in studies where human subjects may be exposed to risks or harm. By reviewing various types of human subjects research, the IRB plays a critical part in the research process, guiding researchers on how to conduct their studies ethically and responsibly.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the IRB's purpose: the funding of research studies is typically managed by separate grant agencies or committees, scientific theories are evaluated through peer review in academic settings rather than by IRBs, and clinical trials are conducted by research teams rather than being the primary function of an IRB.