COVID-19 IMPACTS ON RESEARCH & STUDIES

HML IRB believes in putting safety first for subjects and their communities, as well as for researchers.  Our guidance is to follow local professional public health safety practice.  Researchers considering field work need to follow requirements of local authorities, keeping in mind that each country and region may be different.  Researchers may also need to consider conditions and requirements of their home country or region if applicable.  Studies involving subjects or communities with heightened health risks or those in congregate living situations need to be approached with extreme caution.  Currently, face-to-face interactions such as in-person interviews or focus group discussions are discouraged in favor of remote or virtual interactions in most places.

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If your current study and data collection has been impacted by COVID-19, please complete the Change in Protocols Request Form found on our website under Application & Forms (#6).  Please send the completed form to plantz@hmlus.com along with any accompanying materials, including revised data collection tools or methods.  We usually review these requests within 48 hours of receipt at no additional charge for minor modifications.  If changes are substantial enough to require a more thorough ethical review, we will contact you before proceeding.