During which stage of the research process should ethical considerations and IRB review take place?

The proposal and planning stages of the research process are crucial for laying the groundwork for ethical considerations and obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) review. This is the phase where researchers outline their study's objectives, design, methodology, and how they plan to manage ethical issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, and the potential risks and benefits to participants.

Addressing ethical considerations during this stage ensures that the research is designed from the outset with participant welfare in mind, and it allows for early identification and mitigation of potential ethical dilemmas. The IRB plays a vital role in this process by reviewing the research proposal to ensure it complies with ethical standards and regulations, assessing both the risks to participants and the benefits of the research, and ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to protect participants’ rights.

Ethical oversight at this initial stage is essential, as waiting until after data collection or when results are ready for publication would risk compromising participant safety and integrity. Debriefing participants, although important, occurs after data collection and doesn't serve the same preventive role that proper ethical review and planning do beforehand.