"Exempt" Research
If "exempt", see Section 3.5.2.
"Minimal Risk" Research
Research IN WHICH THE RISKS OF HARM ANTICIPATED ARE NOT GREATER, PROBABILITY AND MAGNITUDE, THAN THOSE
ORDINARILY ENCOUNTERED IN DAILY LIFE OR DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF ROUTINE PHYSICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL
EXAMINATIONS OR TESTS. No research involving any item listed as being "at risk" can be determined to be minimal risk.
A department or other unit review committee may determine that a research proposal submitted, in the judgment of
the principal investigator as "minimal risk," is actually "AT RISK."
"At Risk" Research
"A subject is considered to be 'at risk' if he/she is exposed to the possibility of harm- physical, psychological, sociological,
or other as a consequence of any activity that goes beyond the application of those established and accepted methods
necessary to meet his/her needs. The determination of when an individual is 'at risk' requires application of sound
professional judgment of the activity in question and the ethical principles contained herein. Responsibility for this
determination resides at all levels of institutional and departmental review.”
(The Institutional Guide to DHEW Policy on Protection of Human Subjects, Washington, D.C., 1971, p.2.)
An illustrative, but not inclusive, list of "at risk" procedures would include experiments involving any aspect, degree,
quality, or amount of any of the following:
Deception, mental stress, including subjection to public embarrassment, humiliation, discomfort, irritation, or
harassment, hypnosis, sensory deprivation, sleep deprivation, normally ingested or inhaled materials in excess or less
than normal amounts, injection, ingestion or inhalation of toxic materials, including all drugs, alcohol or placebos;
strenuous physical exertion; use of physical stimuli in abnormal amounts (e.g., noise, vibration, shock, heat, magnetic
fields, radiation); violation of anonymity or confidentiality of subjects and data; OBSERVATIONS RECORDED ABOUT
THE INDIVIDUAL WHICH, IF THEY BECAME KNOWN OUTSIDE THE RESEARCH, COULD MAKE THE SUBJECT LIABLE TO
CRIMINAL OR CIVIL ACTION OR DAMAGE THE SUBJECT'S FINANCIAL OR EMPLOYMENT STATUS; OR ABROGATION OF ANY
CIVIL RIGHT.