According to federal regulations, human subjects are defined as individuals from whom information is obtained through which of the following methods?

Human subjects are defined as individuals from whom data is collected through interaction or intervention, which includes any method that involves direct engagement with the participant. This can encompass a variety of activities such as medical procedures, surveys, interviews, or any form of communication that gathers information about the participant's behavior, experiences, or outcomes. The classifications are crucial in research ethics because they establish the parameters for when informed consent is necessary and ensure that the rights and welfare of participants are protected.

The emphasis on interaction or intervention means researchers must be attentive to the dynamics of their engagement with subjects, focusing not just on collecting data but on the ethical implications of influencing or altering behaviors through their research methods. This is in alignment with federal regulations which prioritize the ethical treatment of human subjects in research, mandating that risk assessments and consent processes be clearly defined when research involves interactions or interventions.