A human subject is a living person about whom a researcher obtains data through intervention, interaction, or identifiable private information. Treating someone as a research subject creates responsibilities around consent, risk, privacy, and the social value of the work. section 8.1.1 section 8.2
The Nuremberg Code established ten principles for research involving people after unethical medical experiments during the Nuremberg Doctors’ Trials. Its guidance remains relevant as research methods and data practices evolve. section 8.1.1
Responsible research involving human subjects should:
- Obtain voluntary, informed consent and provide enough information for participation decisions. section 8.1.1
- Justify the research, plan procedures carefully, and ensure expected benefits outweigh expected risks. section 8.1.1
- Avoid physical and psychological harm, use qualified researchers, respect withdrawal rights, and stop when continuation becomes dangerous. section 8.1.1
Clinical and online data
A clinical or academic study involving people in the United States must follow strict federal guidelines. By contrast, data gathered, purchased, or stored outside those settings may not be consistently regulated, even when individuals did not consent to its use. section 8.2 section 8.1.1
