Which of the following studies qualifies as research with human subjects under federal regulations?

The correct answer involves a study observing students' reading comprehension based on teaching times, as this directly involves interaction or intervention with individuals—students in this case—who are the subjects of the research. Federal regulations define research with human subjects as any research that involves obtaining data through intervention or interaction with individuals, or identifiable private information. In this scenario, observing students and analyzing their reading comprehension implies that the researcher is engaging with the participants to gather data, which categorizes it as research involving human subjects under federal guidelines.

In contrast, the other options do not involve direct interaction with individuals. Analyzing existing records is a secondary data analysis that does not involve obtaining new data from human subjects. Similarly, a survey of administrative policies does not collect data about individuals directly and focuses instead on policies, which does not meet the definition of research with human subjects. Finally, a review of literature does not involve any engagement with human subjects at all; it is an examination of existing work and findings rather than a study that directly interacts with individuals.