Use of Human Subjects in Research  

Case Study  

Web-based Survey 

Option C.

Develop a paper survey form to be distributed to a randomly-selected sample, completed anonymously and returned in a pre-addressed envelope.

No, that is not necessary.

Avoiding computers entirely could be appropriate if it were essential to assure there is no way to identify respondents. However, as long as the project qualifies as human subjects research, it would still be necessary to submit a protocol for review, even with complete anonymity of respondents.

Depending on research objectives and design, it may certainly be possible and appropriate to collect the survey results via a web site and the project may qualify for expedited review.