Determining Field Studies vs. Field Research

The USDA definition of Field Study vs. Field Research is used to determine the need for a protocol:

• Field Study: Observation/data collection without an impact upon the animal;
• Field Research: Observation/data collection that requires capture, redirection, behavior modification, sedation etc.

Field studies of free-living, wild vertebrate animals in their natural environment that satisfy all of the following criteria may be exempt from IACUC approval:

• Field studies that do not “involve an invasive procedure, harm, or materially alter the behavior of an animal under study.” (9 CFR 1.1 – Animal Welfare Regulation)
• Field studies that do not involve the capture, handling, housing, transportation, treatment or euthanasia of animals.
• Field studies that do not cause excessive disturbances of animals due to study activities. Excessive disturbance would include visits to nest sites or breeding areas, close approach to animals during sensitive phases of their life cycle or experimental techniques that might elicit disturbance (e.g., tape playbacks of calls or presentation of models).

Field research must be under an AUP.

Any field activities (teaching, research or testing) that involve free-living vertebrate wildlife and
involve more than unobtrusive observation require an AUP.