Which scenario meets the federal definition of research with human subjects in an online setting?

Which scenario meets the federal definition of research with human subjects in an online setting?

• A. Conducting an online focus group with cancer survivors to determine familial support systems, with significant others invited to participate.
• B. Conducting a purely public data analysis with no interaction with individuals.
• C. Interviewing a coworker in person about a workplace issue.
• D. Observing public behavior in a park without interacting with individuals.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is recognizing when an online activity involves direct interaction with living individuals to obtain data about them, which triggers federal protections for human subjects. An online focus group where cancer survivors discuss their experiences and where family members or significant others participate involves real-time discussion and collection of personal information through an online platform. That direct interaction with participants and the gathering of data about them fit the definition of research with human subjects in an online setting, so this scenario requires the usual protections (like IRB review and informed consent). The other scenarios don’t fit as online human subjects research. Purely public data analysis uses information that’s publicly available and involves no interaction with individuals, so it doesn’t meet the definition. An in-person interview with a coworker is interaction with a person, but it’s not online. Observing public behavior in a park without interacting does not involve collecting identifiable private information from individuals in an online setting.

The key idea is recognizing when an online activity involves direct interaction with living individuals to obtain data about them, which triggers federal protections for human subjects. An online focus group where cancer survivors discuss their experiences and where family members or significant others participate involves real-time discussion and collection of personal information through an online platform. That direct interaction with participants and the gathering of data about them fit the definition of research with human subjects in an online setting, so this scenario requires the usual protections (like IRB review and informed consent).

The other scenarios don’t fit as online human subjects research. Purely public data analysis uses information that’s publicly available and involves no interaction with individuals, so it doesn’t meet the definition. An in-person interview with a coworker is interaction with a person, but it’s not online. Observing public behavior in a park without interacting does not involve collecting identifiable private information from individuals in an online setting.