Special Research Categories

Internet Research

Use of the internet presents unique challenges and concerns to the IRB and the researcher.

Protection of human subjects is no less important when using the internet than any other tool available to do human subjects research. The following points should be considered when using the internet to do research:

Not all content on the internet is “public” or “open source” information.
If an investigator is going to use a website, the terms and conditions of that site must be reviewed to make sure they are being followed.
Potential participants must still consent to participate unless the IRB has waived informed consent.
Participants must be adults, or parental permission must be obtained before collecting information from a minor.
When children are the participants in a study over the internet, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act must be followed in addition to 10 CFR 745. Programs that check for internet monitoring or parental controls can be used to assist in identifying minors.
Privacy and the confidentiality of the information provided by participants must be protected.
Facial images obtained from or placed on the internet are considered personally identifiable information and may have implications with respect to privacy and confidentiality.

Read More: Considerations and Recommendations Concerning Internet Research and Human Subjects Research Regulations (Produced by the HHS Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections (SACHRP)).
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International Research

International human subjects research that is funded or conducted by DOE must adhere to recognized U.S. Federal and DOE-specific requirements, as well as relevant requirements of the country in which the work is being conducted. Local context must also be considered by the IRB reviewing the study. Recruitment and consent documents must be in the language that is understandable to the participants. They may be obtained using a written document that is readable by the participant or by use of the short form using a translator.

The resources listed below are a compilation of research laws and regulations and of essential information for many countries in the world.

OHRP Compilation of International Human Subjects Laws contains listings of laws, regulations and guidelines on human subjects protection in over 100 countries and international organizations compiled by the Office of Human subjects Protection (OHRP)

Countries and Economies – World Bank provides comprehensive national data for developing countries around the world.

CIA Fact Book contains information about the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military and transnational issues for 267 countries of the world.

World Health Organization Country Information lists information including population statistics, information on the national health systems, mortality, disease burden and the health profile for each country that is a member of the United Nations and the World Health Organization.

Drugs and Devices

Research that includes the clinical use of a drug or medical device that is new or not approved for that dosage, form, or indication must be reviewed according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) federal regulations found in 21 CFR 50.

Either an application for an Investigational New Drug (IND) or Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) may have to be completed.

Investigational New Drug

FDA Guidance to complete the IND application can be found in the following:

FDA Regulation of IND are the following:

Investigational New Drug Application: Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations Part 312

Investigational Device Exemption

An IDE application is the document submitted to FDA to allow for the conduct of a clinical study using a significant risk device that is new or not approved for that use.

The FDA requirements for a new device depend on the potential risk of the device: significant, non-significant and exempt.

Significant risk devices: An IDE is required to study an investigational device (including new intended use of an approved device) posing significant risk and must be submitted to FDA before study initiation. Significant risk is defined as a device that presents a potential serious risk to the health, safety, or welfare of subject (e.g., stents, sutures).
Non-significant risk devices: If the investigation involves the use of a device that does not pose significant risk to humans (a non-significant risk device), an IDE application to FDA is not required. Submissions for non-significant risk devices are made directly to the IRB. The sponsor-investigator must explain to the IRB why the device does not pose a significant risk.
IDE Exempt Investigation: The FDA may determine that your study is exempt from FDA regulation. However, the study is still subject to IRB regulation.

Additional information about FDA Regulation of the IDE is below.

Investigational Device Exemptions: Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations Part 812

Research Involving Vulnerable Populations

There are additional regulations beyond the basic requirements found in 10 CFR 745 Subpart A that must be followed when doing research with a vulnerable population. A “vulnerable population” is one that is considered compromised in its ability to make a voluntary and informed decision to participate in research. The federal regulations specifically define three such groups, namely pregnant women and fetuses, children and prisoners. The DOE also considers workers to be a vulnerable population. Other groups that are also considered vulnerable include the mentally challenged, and the economically or educationally disadvantaged.
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Pregnant Women and Fetuses

Under Subpart B of 45 CFR 46, pregnant women and fetuses may be involved in research but the research must meet additional conditions. The conditions that must be met are specified by pre- and post-delivery and the viability of the fetus after delivery.

Sec 745.204 Research involving pregnant women or fetuses prior to delivery
Sec 745.205 Research involving fetuses after delivery
Sec 745.206 Research involving the placenta, the dead fetus or fetal material after delivery
Sec 745.207 Research not otherwise approvable but presenting an opportunity to understand, prevent, or alleviate a serious problem affecting the health or welfare of pregnant women or fetuses

Prisoners

Subpart C of 45 CFR 46 applies to research in which prisoners are the subjects. While this subpart is directed at research funded by DHHS, DOE has chosen to apply this subpart to any research involving prisoners regardless of the funding source.
A prisoner is defined as an individual involuntarily confined or detained in a penal institution or other facility that provides an alternative to incarceration or criminal prosecution. This includes an individual who is detained pending arraignment, trial or sentencing.

As outlined in Subpart C, the IRB must also do the following in addition to what is required in Subpart A:

Make any modification to the composition of the IRB to satisfy the conditions in 45 CFR 46.304
Comply with the seven additional duties outlined in 45 CFR 46.305(a)
Restrict research to those areas defined in 45 CFR 46.306(a)(2)

There is additional guidance and FAQs regarding involvement of prisoners in research on the OHRP website.
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Children

Special protections are provided in Subpart D of 45 CFR 46 when research involves children. The regulations define a “child” as a person who has not reached “legal age” for consent to treatments or procedures that may involve research, under applicable laws of the jurisdiction in which the research is conducted.

When reviewing research involving children, the IRB must ensure that:

a risk-benefit analysis has been conducted that demonstrates the IRB’s understanding of and justification for the risks and benefits posed by approving research that includes children;
the research is in one of the permitted regulatory categories. See 45 CFR 46.401(b) and 404-407;
adequate provisions have been made to solicit parental permission; and
adequate provisions have been made to solicit assent of the child.

Refer to the additional guidance on the OHRP website.
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Workers

When individuals are invited to participate in research conducted at their work site or by their employer, they are potentially at risk from coercion, undue pressure and loss of confidentiality. In addition, former and retired workers may also be at risk if they are dependent upon employer-administrated pensions or benefits programs.
To guarantee knowledge of the work environment and of real or perceived risks faced by prospective workers, the IRB should include at least one worker as an IRB member or consultant when reviewing research proposals using workers. These additional points should be addressed:

There must be strict protections in place to protect the confidentiality of the participants. The threat increases when the participants are known to the researcher.
Although recruitment of employees is allowed, they may not be solicited on a personal basis, either face-to-face or via the phone. Acceptable recruitment methods include:

Posting IRB-approved flyers/ads
Sending IRB-approved invitations to employees who have expressed an interest in participating

PIs should not enroll employees who are in their supervisory chain.

Additional information can be found in the DOE Requirements section of this webpage.
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Other Federal Agencies’ Requirements

It is critical that researchers ensure they are complying with sponsoring agency requirements, in addition to those of their home organization.