Using Pre-Existing Data
Database with no identifiers - this does not require human participant research review as there are no longer any human participants – it’s just data.
Publicly available database with identifiers - this does not require human participant research review as there are no privacy issues involved. See list of Public Data Sets.
Database with identifiers - collected for research purposes
- Qualifies for exemption if the data is recorded for the research project with no identifying information.
- Requires expedited review if the data is recorded for the research project with identifying information but is minimal risk. Waiver of consent may or may not be granted.
- Requires full review if the data is recorded for the research project with identifying information and is at a more than minimal risk level. Waiver of consent may or may not be granted.
Database with identifiers - originally collected for non-research purpose (e.g. class/course evaluations, medical records, educational records). Access to the data is restricted to authorized persons.
- Qualifies for exemption if the identifiers are removed by a person with authorized access to the data prior to recording the data for the research project.
- Requires expedited review if the data is recorded for the research project with identifying information but is minimal risk. Waiver of consent may or may not be granted.
- Requires full review if the data is recorded for the research project with identifying information and is at a more than minimal risk level. Waiver of consent may or may not be granted.
October 16, 2009