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Phased Increase of Research Activity Plan (including COVID-LOI) for Principal Investigators - Human Participant Research or Trainees

General Information

The University recognizes that research has continued in earnest since restrictions were imposed and applauds the research community for continuing to advance their work either remotely through electronic devices, or using the protocols developed through the Office of Vice President Research. Working from home remains the preference but, as some research can only be done on campus or at the fieldwork site, the University continues to plan for a gradual, phased increase of this type of research activity. Any return to campus or fieldwork for research captured under Phase 2 will require approval by the PI’s Chair and / or Associate Dean Research (ADR). In the case of Phase 2 research involving Human participants, this online form must be completed.

Faculty researchers will retain responsibility for their research teams.

PIs may amend Human Participation plans later by submitting a new application, should plans change. Please note though, that plans previously or subsequently submitted which do not include Human Participation are considered separate.

PI name, McMaster email address and primary contact number for PI. Note: For student thesis projects this form should be completed by the Faculty Supervisor, not the student, and the Supervisor’s information should be provided below.

Full name
Email address
Primary contact number

Home Department.

If you choose 'Other:' please also specify your choice in the accompanying text field.

Is this a new Human Participation plan submission?

New submission
Amendment to a previous submission

If applicable, please select in which categories your research activities in this plan fall.

Check all that apply

Human Participant - Category 1: Observation of participants under controlled conditions.
Human Participant - Category 2: One-on-one interviews maintaining a social distance greater than 2 m.
Human Participant - Category 3: Group interviews, focus groups and multiple participants in the same room while maintaining a social distance greater than 2 m.
Human Participant - Category 4: Non-invasive techniques and participant use of equipment where social distancing of at least 2 m cannot be maintained.

Briefly (in 500 words or less), 1) explain how you propose to manage safe involvement of human participants in accordance with the Phase 2 On-Campus Research Guidelines and 2) briefly outline your procedures for tracking and documentation of human participants to ensure appropriate workplace health and safety guidance protocols are followed. For fieldwork, your plan could be based on the on-campus guidelines in combination with any COVID-19 requirements and guidance at the fieldwork location. Where your Chair / ADR has asked for a more detailed plan, or if you require more space, please include a link to the full plan in your answer.

Is this an application for fieldwork, campus-based research or both?

Check all that apply

Fieldwork
Campus

Phase 2 does not signal a return of researchers to campus or fieldwork sites for any reason other than to perform research that is impossible to perform in a remote manner. Note that researchers requiring access to specific McMaster facilities must discuss those needs with the Director of the facility.

Briefly explain:
Why your on-campus or fieldwork research cannot be conducted remotely.

Total number of research team members involved in campus-based and/or fieldwork research (combined).

Only numbers may be entered in this field.

List the names of the team members involved in campus-based or fieldwork research.

Confirm that if research will involve face-to-face human participants, appropriate modifications have been made to Letters of Information and procedures, that any necessary REB amendments will be submitted before any research begins. Refer to the guidance summaries for on-campus and fieldwork human participant research respectively to access the latest versions of the COVID-19 Letter of Information.

I confirm that appropriate modifications have been made to Letters of Information and procedures, and that any necessary REB amendments will be submitted before any research begins.

Confirm that McMaster’s pandemic specific Workplace Health and Safety Guidance is understood and will be followed by all members of the research team.

I confirm that this is understood.

Confirm that you have made plans for a safe and rapid as possible shutdown (and return home in the case of fieldwork) if called for by the University and/or Public Health officials.

I confirm that I have made these plans.

Briefly (in 500 words or less), explain how you propose to manage training of research personnel, along with appropriate tracking and documentation for research personnel, traffic flow, access to shared areas, lab space and equipment, etc to ensure appropriate workplace health and safety guidance protocols are followed. Where your Chair / ADR has asked for a more detailed plan, or if you require more space, please include a link to the full plan in your answer.

Confirm that protocols on physical/social distancing, traffic flow, access to bench space, equipment, etc., as well as protocol related to research involving human participants and the necessity of logging entries and exits have been agreed with all research team members.

I confirm that this has been done.

Please confirm you want to clear your response?