Final answer:
When research is exclusively using non identifiable secondary data, IRB review and informed consent are typically not required as the research is considered nonreactive and does not alter or influence subjects behaviors. The use of non identifiable information greatly reduces the ethical concerns such as privacy and consent because individuals cannot be discerned from the data.
Step-by-step explanation:
If research is based exclusively on the secondary use of non identifiable information, typically, an Institutional Review Board (IRB) review and informed consent are not required. One of the advantages of using secondary data, like old movies or WHO statistics, is that it is nonreactive research meaning it does not have direct contact with subjects and will not alter or influence peoples behaviors. Therefore, such research does not involve the risks or the investment often associated with primary data collection.
Institutional Review Boards (IRB) have protocols to protect the privacy and welfare of research participants and it is important when using secondary data to ensure that it is truly non identifiable, meaning individual participants cannot be discerned by the information. Normative organizations, such as universities or research institutions, establish IRBs to oversee the ethical conduct of research and certain types of research may be exempt from full IRB review when the study poses no risk to the subjects.
It is crucial for researchers to consider questions such as will participation be voluntary, will confidentiality be preserved, are there any risks to participants, and will the study yield important results for society. However, when using non identifiable secondary data, the concerns about privacy and consent are significantly mitigated, as there is no identifiable private information being disclosed.