# does one need IRB approval for non-govt human research?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-one-need-irb-approval-for-non-govt-human-research/852388>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 22, 2020, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-one-need-irb-approval-for-non-govt-human-research/852388 "2020-04-22T23:59:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2020, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-one-need-irb-approval-for-non-govt-human-research/852388/1 "2020-04-22T23:59:16Z")

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Can a researcher who doesn’t have/use govt funds do human subjects research and publish in journals without IRB approval?

It seems difficult to draw a line especially related to sociology or psychology ‘studies’.

I’m sure private funded research for some dramatic and potentially dangerous (or identity revealing) human subjects work SHOULD get IRB approval, but I don’t know if it is legally required.

Then the question becomes at what point is the study not ‘dramatic and dangerous’ enough? Could I just count people walking across the street and publish their behavior without first getting prior IRB approval for the study?