Human Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights From Behind-the-Scenes

Abstract

The researchers' stories collected here demonstrate how many ethical and practical challenges routinely associated with conducting human research were amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges include designing studies to minimize risks and maximize potential benefits, working with institutional review boards (IRBs), recruiting and enrolling participants, obtaining valid informed consent, promoting data integrity, managing budget constraints, and finding time to fulfill research obligations along with other duties. By offering insights about not only the barriers and challenges researchers encountered but also the creative solutions they and their colleagues found to conduct research, this behind-the-scenes peek at researchers' experiences helps us to identify barriers and potential lasting improvements for human subjects research even in the best of times.