In which situation might a study be exempt from IRB review?

Certain types of research may qualify for exemption from Institutional Review Board (IRB) review based on specific criteria outlined by federal regulations. One of the primary categories for exemption involves research conducted in established educational settings that involves normal educational practices. This includes studies focused on instructional strategies, curricula, or classroom management techniques. Since this research typically poses minimal risk to participants and is often conducted in routine educational contexts, it aligns with the exemption criteria.

In contrast, research involving pharmaceutical trials typically requires more rigorous ethical scrutiny due to potential risks associated with drug administration and the need for informed consent from participants. Studies that utilize randomized control trials often involve controlled experiments that may raise ethical concerns about participant treatment and require IRB oversight. Additionally, research that includes sensitive personal information would necessitate careful oversight to safeguard participant confidentiality and address potential risks of harm, thus generally requiring a full IRB review rather than being exempt.