If a researcher uses data that were collected for another study (secondary data analysis), and the original study received approval from an IRB (either at UNK or elsewhere), then the researcher does not need to submit a protocol to the IRB.
For example, if a researcher at UNK receives IRB approval to carry out a social survey, and if identifying information is removed from the data set, then other researchers or students may use the data without seeking further IRB approval. Similarly, if a researcher at UNK purchases a survey data set from a data archive (such as the U.S. Bureau of the Census, the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, or Sociometrics), IRB approval generally is not required. Because these studies are usually federally funded, it is reasonable to assume that they have already met federal guidelines for the protection of human subjects. However, if researchers wish to use data sets that have not received previous IRB approval (either from UNK or elsewhere), and if the data contain people’s names or other identifying information, they should submit a protocol to the IRB.
When information is collected for a non-research purpose (for example, teaching evaluations, clinical work, program feedback), but the investigator later decides that the information might be used for research, the project is Exempt if the information is recorded in such a way that the investigator cannot identify the sources or subjects. If the research subjects can be identified, they must be contacted to gain their permission, and the project will not be reviewed at the Exempt level. In cases in which the investigator wants to continue to collect data as well as use existing data, a protocol for the new data collection must be submitted in the same manner as any protocol.
Research involving information that has been published (for example, editorials, newspaper articles, movies, or historical documents) does not require IRB approval. Top of Form
