Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with financial disclosure requirements in research?

The responsibility for ensuring compliance with financial disclosure requirements in research primarily lies with investigators and their designated officials. This is because they are directly involved in the design, conduct, and administration of research projects and must manage any potential financial conflicts of interest that may arise.

Investigators have the obligation to disclose any financial interests that could potentially influence the research outcomes. This ensures that the research is conducted with integrity and that trust is maintained among participants, the institution, and the broader community. Designated officials, often from the institution's compliance or ethics office, provide oversight and support to ensure that proper disclosures are made and that institutional policies are followed.

While institutional review boards play a significant role in protecting the rights and welfare of research participants, their focus is more on the ethical review of research proposals rather than on compliance with financial disclosures. Study participants themselves are not responsible for financial disclosures, as they are typically not in a position to have potential conflicts of interest related to the research. Data managers, while crucial in handling and maintaining data integrity, are not solely responsible for financial disclosures; that responsibility rests with the investigators and their officials.

Thus, the correct answer highlights the key roles of investigators and their designated officials in ensuring transparency and compliance with financial disclosure requirements in research.