IRB would likely not review this if the researcher pitched it to them as a public dataset. 45 CFR 46.101(b)(4) enumerates topics which are exempt from IRB revie

IRB would likely not review this if the researcher pitched it to them as a public dataset. 45 CFR 46.101(b)(4) enumerates topics which are exempt from IRB review, one is: "Research involving the collection or study of existing data, documents, records, pathological specimens, or diagnostic specimens, if these sources are publicly available or if the information is recorded by the investigator in such a manner that subjects cannot be identified, directly or through identifiers linked to the subjects." [0] http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/regulations/45-cfr-46/index.html#46.101 http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/regulations/4...