Regulations for the protection of human subjects have been introduced by the Federal government to try to mediate among the different special interest groups seeking or resisting regulations affecting the conduct of research. Educational researchers have been particularly resistant to regulations. The risks in conducting educational research are real, and the solutions are not yet provided. Educational research involving children presents some special problems which are being addressed by recent additions to the original regulations. Risks to children include overtesting, labeling, creating dependency upon the researcher, expecting or forcing continued participation, misusing findings, overusing research subjects, not identifying treatment, asking inappropriate questions, showing more concern for the data than for the subjects, and using dangerous techniques. The growing authority of institutional review boards, the increased power of gatekeepers of data, federal additions and interpretations to the regulations, and the increased number of related court decisions contribute to current problems and issues relating to the protection of research subjects. (Author/MH)