COVID-19 Update
To minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety and welfare of all research participants, students, faculty, and staff, human subject researchers are being asked to halt face-to-face interactions. Each PI (faculty & student) should assess their project(s) and make applicable changes to transition to an online platform if the study design allows. Graduate students should discuss a plan of action with their mentor for the continuation of data collection.
Studies that provide a High Direct Benefit to Research Participants
Protocols in which serious or immediate harm could be caused to the research participants if stopped. These projects may continue as long as adequate precautions are taken to minimize the risk of contagion and there is staff personnel available to complete those visits.
Examples:
- Research protocols involving treatments for acute, life threatening health conditions (e.g. some treatment trials for cancers)
- Protocols where stopping the intervention (e.g., some investigational drugs, vaccines or preventative drug regimens) could be harmful
PIs must pause on enrolling new research participants unless there is a compelling reason.
Studies that provide a Low/No Direct Benefit to Research Participants
Research activities must not enroll new participants in studies requiring face- to- face interaction nor continue to conduct face- to- face visits. On-line visits or data collection that does not require participant in-person interaction may continue.
- Protocols in which research participants do not receive a direct benefit from research participation (i.e., surveys, interviews, academic and behavioral assessments) should be reviewed and transitioned to an online platform if applicable.
If the existing project activities can be modified to be performed remotely, you must submit an amendment request to the IRB.
Additional Considerations
Keeping the community safe is a priority. Research personnel should consider where and how the research is being conducted. Access to UTEP facilities is not available. Some areas within the U.S. and other countries may not be accessible and travel may be restricted. Examples include local and national school districts, international sites, health care facilities, external universities.
Continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the university, local, and federal officials. As a reminder, federal regulations state that the IRB must review and approve any changes to an approved study prior to initiation, unless it is necessary to avoid imminent hazards to subjects.
Therefore, the IRB Office will be accepting modifications to projects allowing them to move online in order to continue collecting data. Please refer to the table to ensure safeguards are implemented for research alternatives.
Please note, there is an abundant amount of current active projects. The IRB Committee will work diligently to review and process as expeditiously as possible.
The Human Subjects Research and Oversight Compliance (HROC) office is available to address any questions or concerns. Please contact HROC at IRB.ORSP@utep.edu.
Technology Alternatives | Examples | Safeguards |
Survey Software | UTEP licensed Questionpro and Qualtrics |
If the study does not need to be linked to individual participants, please consider enabling the “anonymity assurance” option on the respective survey software. Studies that transition to online survey software may require a change to the authorization statement on the informed consent form. |
Phone, Video or Web Conferencing | Use of Mobile Devices and applications to include, Business Skype, Zoom, Facetime, etc. |
Do not capture the interactions and/or sessions via the conferencing system or application. Instead, consider the use of independent recording devices. Participants should be informed that their privacy and confidentiality cannot be guaranteed due to the platforms being utilized. |
Secure messaging and text messaging | UTEP Outlook, Mobile texting |
Secure messaging and text messaging should only be used for scheduling, not for data collection. Participants should be informed that their privacy and confidentiality cannot be guaranteed due to the platforms being utilized. |
NIH COVID-19 Specific Survey Items Now Available