Which scenario meets the federal definition of research involving human subjects?

The scenario that meets the federal definition of research involving human subjects is the online focus group with cancer survivors and their significant others. In this context, human subjects are defined as living individuals about whom an investigator obtains data through intervention or interaction, or identifiable private information. Running an online focus group directly engages these individuals, involving the collection of data through interaction, which is a critical aspect of human subjects research.

The focus group format allows for in-depth conversations and the exploration of personal experiences, feelings, and insights related to their cancer journey. This scenario clearly signifies a commitment to understanding human behavior and perspectives, particularly those of a vulnerable population, which intensifies the ethical considerations surrounding informed consent and risk assessment. This aligns with the federal regulations that aim to protect the rights and welfare of individuals participating in research.

In contrast, other scenarios either do not involve the interactive engagement that characterizes human subjects research or lack the focus on obtaining identifiable private information from individuals that would classify them as engaging with human subjects in the federal sense.