Ed, Doesn't this say clearly that if the blog (publicly available) already exists before your study begins, and was not set up for the purpose of your study then it is exempt? Marj Dr Marjorie Kibby, Senior Lecturer in Communication & Culture Faculty of Education and Arts The University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW 2308 Australia Marj.Kibby@newcastle.edu.au +61 2 49216604
Ed Lamoureux <ell@bumail.bradley.edu> 08/12/07 12:35 PM >>>
4. Research involving the collection or study of existing data, documents, records . . . if these sources are publicly available OR if the information is recorded by the investigator in such a maner that subjects cannot be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects. Note: in order to be eligible for this exemption, all data, documents, records, or specimens must exist prior to IRB review and must have been collected for purposes other than the proposed research. (To qualify for an exemption in this category, the proposed research must be strictly retrospective).