What constitutes a human subject in research?

• A. living individual about whom a researcher is conducting research
• B. anonymous data set only
• C. deceased person
• D. animal subject

Answer: (A)

A human subject in research refers to a living individual from whom data is obtained through direct intervention or interaction, or from whom identifiable private information is collected. The emphasis here is on two elements: the person must be alive, and the research involves either interacting with them or obtaining information that can be linked to them.

An anonymous data set isn’t linked to any identifiable person, so it doesn’t involve a living individual and isn’t considered a human subject. A deceased person isn’t living, so they don’t meet the definition. An animal subject isn’t human, so it falls outside this category. Therefore, the scenario described—research involving a living person from whom data is collected—fits the definition of a human subject.