When can the expedited review process be utilized according to federal regulations?

The expedited review process is designed to streamline the review of research studies that present minimal risk to participants. According to federal regulations, this process can be utilized when the study meets specific categories that have been outlined, indicating that the research involves no more than minimal risk to subjects.

Option A reflects this accurately, as it highlights both the minimal risk aspect and the requirement for compliance with identified categories set forth in regulations. This aspect of minimal risk is crucial because it allows Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) to focus their resources on studies that present greater ethical concerns.

In contrast, while option B suggests that all risks need to be fully mitigated for an expedited review, this is not a requirement; rather, the focus is on ensuring that risks are minimal as a whole. Option C unnecessarily restricts the expedited review process exclusively to educational research, which is not accurate, as expedited reviews can apply to a variety of research types as long as they meet the specified criteria. Lastly, option D implies that institutional support is a necessary condition for expedited review, which is misleading; while institutional backing is important, it is not a determining factor for utilizing the expedited review process itself.

Ultimately, option A encompasses the essential criteria for the expedited review process effectively, making it