A study involves anonymous online surveys with no way to identify respondents. Which IRB outcome is most likely?

A study involves anonymous online surveys with no way to identify respondents. Which IRB outcome is most likely?

• A. Exemption
• B. Expedited
• C. Full Board
• D. Not reviewed

Answer: (A)

Anonymous surveys with no way to identify respondents are typically eligible for exemption because they involve minimal risk and there is no identifiable data. The IRB uses exemptions for survey procedures when subjects cannot be identified directly or through identifiers linked to them, so the study poses little to no risk to participants. Since there are no identifiers and no way to trace responses back to individuals, this study fits that exempt category and usually doesn’t require full board review. If identifiers or a linkable risk were present, the study wouldn’t be exempt and would instead move toward expedited or full board review depending on the level of risk.

Anonymous surveys with no way to identify respondents are typically eligible for exemption because they involve minimal risk and there is no identifiable data. The IRB uses exemptions for survey procedures when subjects cannot be identified directly or through identifiers linked to them, so the study poses little to no risk to participants. Since there are no identifiers and no way to trace responses back to individuals, this study fits that exempt category and usually doesn’t require full board review. If identifiers or a linkable risk were present, the study wouldn’t be exempt and would instead move toward expedited or full board review depending on the level of risk.