Table of Contents
See the main index of Decision Trees or Research Using Human Subjects
Graphical Flowchart
Text Version of Flowchart
Step 1. Are Human Subjects involved (even if exempted under 45 CFR 46)?
- If yes, policy applies despite exemption. Continue to Step 2.
- If no:
- Policy does not apply.
- Code: 10, Code: X as regards clinical trials.
- End.
Step 2. Is information on minority representation provided?
- If yes, continue to Step 3.
- If no:
- Absent (Negative impact on score, bar to award, or application not reviewed.)
- End.
Step 3. Is a NIH-Defined Phase III Clinical Trial proposed?
- If yes:
- Code: Y as regards clinical trials.
- Continue on Part 2 of 2, Decision Tree for Inclusion of Minorities Plan.
- If no:
- Code: N as regards clinical trials.
- Continue to Step 4.
- What is the actual minority representation?
- U.S. minority individuals ARE included in scientifically appropriate numbers (non-minorities may or may not be included)? (Code M1: both U.S. minorities and non-minorities, or Code M2: U.S. minorities only) or
- Some or all U.S. minority groups are excluded or poorly represented because any of the following applies?
- inclusion is inappropriate with respect to their health
- research question is relevant to only one racial/ethnic group
- prior evidence strongly suggests no racial/ethnic difference in outcome variables
- proposal is for a single minority group study to fill a research gap
- data exists for excluded minority group(s); duplicative studies are unnecessary
- geographical location has too few eligible minorities and exclusion has been well justified (e.g., based on study size, disease characteristics, unfeasibility of collaboration)
- purpose of research constrains subject selection in regard to race/ethnicity (Code M3: U.S. non-minorities only; or Code M2: U.S. minorities only; or Code M1: both included) or
- Racial or ethnic origin of specimens/datasets cannot be accurately determined and this does not compromise scientific objectives? (Code M4: minority representation unknown)
- Only foreign (non-U.S.) subjects are involved and study design addresses any known scientific reasons for examining in-country minority group or subgroup differences? (Code M5: no U.S. subjects involved)
- Is minority representation acceptable?
Summary of Codes
Minority Representation | Representation is scientifically... | |
---|---|---|
Acceptable | Unacceptable (bar to award) | |
both minorities and non minorities are included | M1A | M1U |
minorities only | M2A | M2U |
non-minorities only | M3A | M3U |
unknown (cannot be known) | M4A | M4U |
only foreign (non-U.S subjects) in the study | M5A | M5U |
Clinical Trial Status
- X—Human subjects not involved (not clinical research)
- N—Clinical research, not an NIH-defined Phase III clinical trial
- Y—Clinical research, an NIH-defined Phase III clinical trial