What might the IRB decide regarding a professor writing a biography based on interviews with personal contacts of the subject?

The IRB, or Institutional Review Board, is responsible for overseeing the ethical aspects of research involving human subjects. In the context of a professor writing a biography based on interviews with personal contacts of the subject, the determination revolves around whether this activity qualifies as "research" according to federal regulations.

Federal regulations define research as a systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. In this case, if the biography is primarily a narrative or a personal account rather than a systematic inquiry intended to produce generalizable findings, then it would not meet the threshold for what constitutes research under federal guidelines. Since the activity is focused on documenting personal stories and experiences rather than generating empirical data for scientific purposes, the IRB might determine that it does not require review because it does not fit the regulatory definition of research involving human subjects.

Understanding this definition is crucial because it highlights the complexities of what can be classified as research, which impacts whether an IRB review is necessary. By recognizing when an activity does not fall under the purview of research guidelines, institutions can allocate their review resources more efficiently and appropriately.