What does "ethical approval" involve in clinical research?

"Ethical approval" in clinical research primarily involves obtaining permission from an ethics committee or institutional review board (IRB). This process is critical for ensuring that the research adheres to established ethical standards pertaining to the protection of participants' rights and well-being. The ethics committee reviews the research proposal to assess aspects such as informed consent, risk versus benefit analysis, and the overall ethical conduct of the study. It plays a central role in safeguarding the participants against any potential harm and ensuring that their participation is voluntary and informed.

This approval is essential before a study can commence, as it ensures that ethical considerations are integrated into the research design, which is crucial in fields like clinical psychology where participant welfare is paramount. The review process also promotes transparency and accountability in research practices, thus enhancing the credibility and integrity of the research.

In contrast, acquiring insurance, obtaining consent from participants, and ensuring that all researchers are certified in ethical practices, while important components of conducting responsible research, do not encapsulate the definition of "ethical approval" from a regulatory perspective. These elements may be parts of broader research protocols, but they do not specifically relate to the critical step of receiving approval from an institutional review board or ethics committee prior to conducting the research.