Research is any activity which gathers information on individuals participating in any activity. Research means a systematic investigation, any investigation designed to develop or contribute to knowledge or understanding about a question. It includes surveys, testing, program evaluation, interviews, and focus groups. Research for the purposes of IRB, doe not have to test against a hypothesis, provide or test a new device or a new drug, or implement an intervention in two comparison groups. All I'm doing is a survey.
Exempt review covers things like surveys, classroom tests, and questionnaires.
A program reviewed under the exempt category typically is a program of minimal risk to participants. The exception to this category is programs involving children. For purposed of IRB, OSU defines children as any one under 18 years of age. Children, pregnant women, prisoners, individuals with disabilities are all considered special populations and require an IRB full review. Evaluations are considered research when the findings of the evaluation are reported or going to be reported outside the program.