US human subjects rules might get much easier for CS Ed

Currently, US human subjects research rules are onerous for those of us doing education research.  We take no biological specimens, we use no pain or probes or drugs, but we have to go through the same lengthy forms as a medical researcher.  Under these new rules, 90% of our research (which is based on just surveys and interviews) would be exempt.  WOO HOO!

The proposal would also exempt from board review research that involves surveys and interviews that poses little or no risk to people — a change expected to be especially welcomed by social scientists. The revisions intend to make the consent forms that lay out a study’s risks and possible benefits clearer, shorter and more standardized.

via U.S. proposes rule changes for human-subject research – The Washington Post.