Final answer:
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee designated by an institution to review research proposals involving human participants and ensure compliance with ethical guidelines and federal regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee designated by an institution to perform the duties of reviewing proposals for research involving human participants. The IRB consists of administrators, scientists, and community members who evaluate research plans to ensure that they comply with ethical guidelines and federal regulations. The IRB assesses factors such as potential risks to participants, informed consent procedures, and methods of protecting participant identity and confidentiality. Its primary role is to safeguard the rights, welfare, and well-being of human research participants.