New IRB Guidelines for Fall 2020 re: COVID-19

New IRB Guidelines for Fall 2020 re: COVID-19

For the protection of Truman researchers and human research participants:

In light of the ongoing spread of COVID-19 in the United States, Truman State University’s IRB is recommending the following guidance for human subject research conducted by Truman faculty, staff or students:

1. The board recommends that researchers voluntarily suspend all in-person human subject research covered by a Truman IRB approved protocol until further notice. This includes all research activities that involve face-to-face interaction between a researcher and a participant (recruitment, interviews, focus groups, laboratory studies).
2. The board recommends that all new and on-going research be conducted virtually (online) whenever possible**.

If you have questions or concerns regarding these recommendations, please contact Kris McKim, IRB Administrator (660.785.7245 or kmckim@truman.edu)

** If face-to-face interaction is required, and approved by the IRB, the board recommends the wearing of masks by both the researcher and the subject and the screening of all potential participants and any family member/guardian accompanying the participant.

Screening Questions:

1. Do you have any of the following symptoms, or pending COVID-19 test because you were having any of the following symptoms?
   1. Fever
   2. Chills
   3. Body Aches
   4. Cough
   5. Shortness of Breath
   6. Sore Throat
   7. New onset loss of smell or taste
   8. New onset of vomiting or diarrhea
2. Do you have a pending COVID-19 test without any of the symptoms previously mentioned?
3. In the last 14 days, have you been exposed to anyone with a lab confirmed COVID-19 test or have you had a COVID-19 positive test result?

Anyone responding “yes” to any of the three questions should be excluded from the study.