Which research method meets the federal definition of research with human subjects?

The rationale for selecting the option that describes hosting an online focus group with cancer survivors lies in the fact that this method directly involves interactions with individuals who are identifiable as human subjects. The federal definition of research with human subjects is focused on research involving living individuals about whom an investigator obtains data through intervention or interaction, or identifiable private information.

In the case of the online focus group, participants are providing personal experiences and responses regarding their health and cancer survival stories. This active engagement and the collection of data from identifiable subjects adheres to the federal definitions of research involving human subjects. It includes gathering personal insights and potentially sensitive information, necessitating ethical considerations and adherence to Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidelines.

The other methods mentioned do not meet the definition of research involving human subjects, as they either deal with anonymous data collection, public opinions, or data that does not involve direct interaction with individual participants. These aspects are important in understanding why the focus group is the appropriate answer, as it clearly engages with individuals in a manner that qualifies under federal research definitions.