Can subjects be recruited via email?
Yes. However, it is important to state, in your protocol, how the email addresses were obtained (i.e., The PI is a professor and has email addresses of his students in a distribution list, or the potential subjects have agreed to be contacted for research by signing up for a registry online, or the list has been made accessible for research purposes to the PI). The IRB has received complaints from subjects who believe their privacy was invaded because they received correspondence from unfamiliar investigators. Therefore, when contacting subjects directly (via mailed letter or email message), the introductory paragraph should include a general statement regarding how the investigator obtained the subjects’ contact information (e.g., “We are contacting members of the XXX Association regarding…” or “You are receiving this questionnaire because you are a health care provider in the state of Missouri.”) Other Questions Q17: I am a new SLU employee who will be conducting human research. I
