Use of Human Subjects in Research  

Case Study  

Observational Study 

Choice C.

Tell the student that her study requires the explicit, written permission of any individual whose behavior is observed.

No, this is not good advice.

In a study like this, informed consent may not be necessary, especially if the participants are not identifiable from the research data and are not identified by the student before observation.

Field research, or other types of observational studies, must be reviewed to assure that appropriate protections of subjects are in place. Where that is assured, the consent of those being observed may not be required.