Human Subjects Research: Author Decision Guide

Updated June 21, 2026

JSMCAH recognizes that research in shelter medicine and community animal health frequently involves human participants: surveys of veterinary professionals, interviews with shelter staff, observations of adoption counseling, and evaluations of organizational practices. This guide applies to any research in which humans are participants, even when the primary research question concerns animals. For the full editorial policy on human subjects research, see the Human Subjects Research: Policy Statement.

If you are affiliated with an institution: your institution's Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements supersede JSMCAH requirements. This includes institutional determinations of exemption — an exemption is a formal determination made by your IRB, not a self-assessment by the researcher. If you are unsure whether your research required review, consult your institution's research compliance office before submitting.

Step 1 — Universal Screen

Does the research involve participants from vulnerable populations?Children, prisoners, Cognitively Impaired Adults, or others with diminished decision-making autonomy
 
Yes
 
Was independent review obtained?

IRB, international equivalent, or independent committee

Yes
Include approval in Methods
Then continue to Step 2. This requirement carries through your pathway.
No
✕ Not Suitable
Vulnerable populations research requires independent review regardless of research type or affiliation

Step 2 — Identify Your Research Type

A

Retrospective records or existing data from regular practice

Data was collected during the normal course of operations: adoption records, client intake forms, staff training logs, or operational databases, with no systematic research intervention at the time of collection.

  • →Include a declaration in your Methods section stating that ethical review was not required given the retrospective nature of the data.
  • →Describe the confidentiality protections in place for any personally identifiable human information.
  • →If affiliated with an institution, attest that you have complied with your institution's requirements for retrospective data review.
✓Suitable for Publication
With declaration and description of confidentiality protections in Methods section
B

Survey, interview, observational, or educational test research

Research involving direct interaction with human participants through surveys, interviews, focus groups, educational assessments, or observation of professional or public behavior. Includes internet-based surveys of veterinary professionals, in-person interviews with shelter staff, focus groups with community members, participant observation in shelter settings, and observation of adoption counseling or public spay/neuter events.

Institutional authors: Attest in your Methods section to your institution's determination regarding this research, whether full IRB approval, exemption, or a finding that review was not required. Exemption is a determination made by your institution, not by the researcher. Include the relevant documentation or determination number.
Was consent obtained from participants?

Consent may be explicit (signed consent form, verbal confirmation) or implicit (voluntary completion of a survey where the introduction clearly described the research purpose and participation was optional). For internet surveys, completion following an informative introduction is generally considered implicit consent.

Yes: explicit or implicit
Is participant identity protected or anonymized?
Yes
✓ None
Suitable
No or unclear
⟳ None
Consult Editor
Not obtained or unclear
⟳ Consult Editor
Contact the editor before submitting. Context and research type will be considered.
C

Programmatic or systems-level research

Research evaluating the effects of organizational or programmatic changes: adoption fee modifications, intake procedure changes, outreach strategies, community engagement interventions, or other process and quality improvement work. The unit of change is organizational practice, not individual clinical or psychological intervention.

Examples include measuring adoption rates before and after a fee waiver program, assessing community response to a targeted spay/neuter outreach campaign, or evaluating staff adherence to a new intake protocol.

Institutional authors: Consult your institution's IRB even if you believe this work may qualify for exemption. Many IRBs will review process improvement research and issue an exemption determination. Include your institution's determination in your Methods section. Do not assume exemption without it.
Was organizational permission obtained from participating organizations?

The shelter, rescue, clinic, or community organization whose programs or practices are being studied should have been aware of and agreed to the research.

Yes
Is individual participant data anonymized?
Yes
✓ None
Suitable
No or unclear
⟳ None
Consult Editor
No
⟳ Consult Editor
Research conducted without organizational awareness requires editorial guidance before submission