Minimal Risk

Minimal risk is a concept that relates to the protection of human subjects and thus to survey ethics. In Chapter 45, Subpart A, Section 46.102, Paragraph (i) of the Code of Federal Regulations, the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Human Research Protections defines minimal risk as a category of research activities in which "the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the research are not greater in and of themselves than those encountered in daily life or during the performance of routine physical or psychological examinations or tests." In general, a person who participates in a survey as a respondent is thought to be exposed to minimal risk. As such, minimal risk is a classification that is associated ...