What does it mean if a research project is considered exempt?

When a research project is considered exempt, it indicates that the research does not require an Institutional Review Board (IRB) review. This typically applies to specific types of research that pose minimal risk to participants and fall under categories specified by regulatory guidelines. For instance, certain educational practices, surveys, and public benefit programs might qualify as exempt.

The determination of exemption is important because it facilitates research that involves low-risk activities, allowing researchers to proceed without the potentially lengthy and resource-intensive IRB review process. However, just because research is exempt from IRB oversight does not imply that it is necessarily ethical, voluntary, or free from legal compliance. Each of these aspects can still apply independently to a study, but exemption specifically pertains to the IRB review requirement.