Sensitive Human Subject Research

Federal regulations regarding the protection of human subjects in research stipulate that data confidentiality must be protected. EMU researchers are required to conduct their research in accordance with these regulations. Sensitive data include any information that might put the subject at risk for criminal or civil liability or might be damaging to the social reputation, employability, insurability, financial standing, or that might be stigmatizing to the subject. The Federal Policy for The Protection of Human Subjects controls research data containing sensitive information about identifiable human subjects. The Common Rule (Health and Human Services regulations, 45 CFR part 46) is a rule of ethics regarding biomedical and behavioral research involving human subjects in the United States by which EMU researchers are held.

Examples

• Data collected under a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Certificate of Confidentiality is sensitive human subject data
• Research on criminal behavior and related subject areas such as punishment, incarceration, loss of civil rights
• Substance abuse, including effects on relatives and friends
• Deviant and non-deviant sexual behavior
• Ethical studies related to human interactions
• Mental health issues
• Survey research about employment practices or satisfaction
• Other sensitive health or genetic information

Laws/Regulations/Policies

• EMU's Office of Research Compliance will protect the professional and academic rights of faculty and staff and ensure that all areas of regulatory compliance are followed and appropriately managed. EMU complies with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Protection from Research Risks guidelines (Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations part 46 - EMU FWA00000050) and oversight for responsible conduct of research and protection of human subject rights and personal information. Read more about our privacy policy.
• The Common Rule: Title 45 Public Welfare, Department Of Health And Human Services, Part 46 Protection Of Human Subjects

Additional Resources

See Eastern Michigan University Institutional Review Board - Regulations, Policies, and Guidance

Using Sensitive Human Subject Research

The permitted (Yes), the not permitted (No), and those needing to contact I.T. (Contact I.T.) are listed in three columns in the matrix below.

Yes

• Google Drive
• Virtru Email
• Virtru Secure Share

No

• Banner
• Bomgar
• Canvas
• Google Mail/Calendar
• Google Talk/Sites/Tasks
• Google All Other Apps
• Personal Accounts
• Personal Devices
• U.achieve
• Samanage
• Shared Drive

Contact IT

• N/A

Note: Don't see what you need? Email the I.T. Security Team at [email protected].

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