What role do research ethics committees play in the research process?

Research ethics committees play a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity and ethics of research involving human participants. Their primary responsibility is to review research proposals to ensure that they meet established ethical standards. This involves assessing the potential risks and benefits of the research, ensuring that the rights and welfare of participants are protected, and verifying that informed consent procedures are in place.

By reviewing research proposals, these committees help to ensure that researchers consider ethical implications, such as participant confidentiality, voluntary participation, and the potential for harm. This oversight is essential for maintaining public trust in the research process and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical guidelines.

The other options mentioned do not accurately reflect the core function of research ethics committees. While funding agencies and other organizations may handle other aspects of research approval and participant recruitment, it is the research ethics committee specifically that focuses on the ethical dimensions of proposed studies.