A Scoping Review of Empirical Research Relating to Quality and Effectiveness of Research Ethics Review.

Background: To date there is no established consensus of assessment criteria for evaluating research ethics review.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review of empirical research assessing ethics review processes in order to identify common elements assessed, research foci, and research gaps to aid in the development of assessment criteria. Electronic searches of Ovid Medline, PsychInfo, and the Cochrane DSR, ACP Journal Club, DARE, CCTR, CMR, HTA, and NHSEED, were conducted.