Rapid human subjects research in times of disruption

One significant challenge facing the implementation of rapid research studies, or research that responds quickly to societal needs, involves the recruitment and retention of human subjects research participants. The purpose of this paper is to offer insights into the nuances of conducting rapid rese...

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Main Authors: Chelsea A. LeNoble, Kristin A. Horan, Nina Steigerwald
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022-09-01
Series:Frontiers in Sociology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2022.959730/full
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author Chelsea A. LeNoble
Chelsea A. LeNoble
Kristin A. Horan
Kristin A. Horan
Nina Steigerwald
author_facet Chelsea A. LeNoble
Chelsea A. LeNoble
Kristin A. Horan
Kristin A. Horan
Nina Steigerwald
author_sort Chelsea A. LeNoble
collection DOAJ
description One significant challenge facing the implementation of rapid research studies, or research that responds quickly to societal needs, involves the recruitment and retention of human subjects research participants. The purpose of this paper is to offer insights into the nuances of conducting rapid research during times of disruption. The first-hand accounts of participants experiencing disruption are critical and perishable. Although it may be difficult to recruit and retain participants, their data are needed to best understand and learn from novel, unprecedented situations. To this end, the authors draw from and analyze their experience conducting rapid research funded by the National Science Foundation to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate education. The paper begins with a summary of the rapid project aims and research questions. Then, participant recruitment and retention challenges are briefly introduced as an advanced organizer of the paper. From there, the paper is structured in three sections that represent the human subjects research challenges faced during rapid study implementation. In the discussion, the authors summarize the above challenges and lessons learned in the larger context of rapid research. They reflect on a sometimes-forgotten issue: the wellbeing of research team members who face these and other salient challenges reflective of navigating life during a worldwide pandemic. By describing human subjects research challenges experienced in the implementation of a rapid study and lessons learned from experiencing and adapting to these challenges, this paper contributes meaningful insights into the daily challenges of carrying out rapid research.
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spelling doaj.art-0f8280bff81348f188e8bd3b83510f312022-12-22T04:30:30ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sociology2297-77752022-09-01710.3389/fsoc.2022.959730959730Rapid human subjects research in times of disruptionChelsea A. LeNoble0Chelsea A. LeNoble1Kristin A. Horan2Kristin A. Horan3Nina Steigerwald4Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, United StatesDepartment of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United StatesDepartment of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United StatesDepartment of Psychological Science, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United StatesDepartment of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United StatesOne significant challenge facing the implementation of rapid research studies, or research that responds quickly to societal needs, involves the recruitment and retention of human subjects research participants. The purpose of this paper is to offer insights into the nuances of conducting rapid research during times of disruption. The first-hand accounts of participants experiencing disruption are critical and perishable. Although it may be difficult to recruit and retain participants, their data are needed to best understand and learn from novel, unprecedented situations. To this end, the authors draw from and analyze their experience conducting rapid research funded by the National Science Foundation to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on undergraduate education. The paper begins with a summary of the rapid project aims and research questions. Then, participant recruitment and retention challenges are briefly introduced as an advanced organizer of the paper. From there, the paper is structured in three sections that represent the human subjects research challenges faced during rapid study implementation. In the discussion, the authors summarize the above challenges and lessons learned in the larger context of rapid research. They reflect on a sometimes-forgotten issue: the wellbeing of research team members who face these and other salient challenges reflective of navigating life during a worldwide pandemic. By describing human subjects research challenges experienced in the implementation of a rapid study and lessons learned from experiencing and adapting to these challenges, this paper contributes meaningful insights into the daily challenges of carrying out rapid research.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2022.959730/fullresearch methodsrapid researchhuman subjectsCOVID-19social science
spellingShingle Chelsea A. LeNoble
Chelsea A. LeNoble
Kristin A. Horan
Kristin A. Horan
Nina Steigerwald
Rapid human subjects research in times of disruption
Frontiers in Sociology
research methods
rapid research
human subjects
COVID-19
social science
title Rapid human subjects research in times of disruption
title_full Rapid human subjects research in times of disruption
title_fullStr Rapid human subjects research in times of disruption
title_full_unstemmed Rapid human subjects research in times of disruption
title_short Rapid human subjects research in times of disruption
title_sort rapid human subjects research in times of disruption
topic research methods
rapid research
human subjects
COVID-19
social science
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2022.959730/full
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