The Wrong Rules for Social Science?

Scholars say U.S. human-subjects protections, designed for medical studies, hinder vital work

By JEFFREY BRAINARD

Last August, Sean D. O'Laughlin was eager to wrap up his master's thesis in history at Illinois State University. He'd been at it for a year, and a master's degree would earn him a raise at the high school where he teaches history.

But just before he was to graduate,...