Previously Collected Data
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newspaper articles, movies, or historical documents) does not require IRB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
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