Functions IRBs on Saudi Arabia: what researchers think of IRB roles using (IRB-RAT) tool

Abstract

Abstract Background: The ethics committee has the responsibility to comply with the rules and guidelines regarding oversight of all human research activities, particularly when the research study involves vulnerable people. It also has the role of educating researchers on ethical issues, scientific truthfulness, preventing misconduct and conflicts of interest. In our study we evaluate and benchmark the function of the local ethical committees across the country from the researchers point-of-view. Methods: We employed an online IRB-RAT survey to measure perspectives of investigators towards IRB functions dealing with fairness issues, services, bias, and competences and upholding the rights of the human participants. Two responses were recorded: first shows how important an IRB function is for the investigator in his work, second shows how researchers rate their IRBs in being descriptive in that specific function. The difference of these two scores represent the outcome. Results: We had 179 participants, 166(94%) researchers/research coordinators, and 13(7.2%) IRB members, 94 (53%) participants had been working in the research field for more than 11 years, and the majority 163(90%) revealed that they had IRB contact. The study participants’ have recognized the following IRB characteristics as vital: the absence of reviewer and committee biases, IRB respects the investigators, IRB takes into consideration the protection of human participants, IRB responses in timely manner, and that IRB maintains complete and accurate records. Conclusion: The measuring tool in this study is applicable to assess the function of IRBs in Saudi Arabia. Further collaborations needed to enhance IRBs performance and to engage researchers into more productive communication with their IRBs.