Life after Lockdown How to undertake safe facetoface

Life after Lockdown: How to undertake safe face-to-face research Debrah Harding Managing Director MRS

Topics for today… - MRS Covid-19 guidance: - MRS safe working and research guidance - Requirements before recruitment - Recruiting participants - Qualitative research using facilities - In-home research - Variants of Concern - Scotland - Next steps for the MRS guidance - Q&A

Covid-19 MRS Guidance Context • • 3 First issued in mid-May 2021 Updates and new guidance issued throughout the year Enables some face-to-face research to resume Complements government advice on working safely during Covid-19 Scope • Extension of the MRS Code of Conduct • ‘Must’ requirements are mandatory • ‘Should’ requirements are recommended

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 MRS guidance has been updated following the easing of lockdown across the four nations. The guidance is split across four main documents: Undertaking Safe Face-to-Face Data Collection - April 2021 Undertaking Safe Face-to-Face Mystery Shopping - April 2021 Facilities Used for Face-to-Face Data Collection - April 2021 4 Face-to-Face Data Collection Guidance Interpreting Scotland's Protection Level system - April 2021

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 The current principles underpinning the MRS Covid-19 guidance: • Face-to-face research must only be undertaken when no other alternative methodology can be used • Research practitioners must undertake risk assessments of any proposed faceto-face research exercise before beginning the activity • Research practitioners have a responsibility to protect participants and the reputation of the profession • Research practitioners must only undertake face-to-face research in those locations that are unaffected as a result of Covid-19 closures and restrictions and are currently not restricted within MRS guidance • In-home face-to-face research continues to be restricted to on the doorstep only 5

Covid-19 MRS Guidance Structure • • • 6 Definitions linked to UK Government Covid-19 guidance Requirements before commencement of face-to-face research including design and selection and use of practitioners Travel to and from research Overnight stays Vehicle sharing Face-to-face participant recruitment • During face-to-face research Specific environment guidance during face-to-face research: • • • in-home/on the door-to-door In-street/exit In transit In halls/venues Mystery shopping

Requirements before research starts 7

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 • Research practitioners must undertake a risk assessment of any proposed research exercise before beginning any face-to-face research • Research practitioners must use and adhere to the appropriate government safe working guidance depending upon the environment/s in which face-toface research is to take place • Research practitioners must follow relevant government guidance such as the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on Covid-19: https: //www. hse. gov. uk/coronavirus/index. htm and the HSE interactive tools: https: //www. hse. gov. uk/simple-health-safety/risk/index. htm – 8 Note: More information about risk assessments is available in the MRS Research Policy and Standards Webinar - Undertaking Risk Assessments available here: https: //www. mrs. org. uk/resources/webinars

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 When designing face-to-face research, a key consideration will be the use of facial coverings and gloves by research practitioners Research practitioners must discuss with clients the range of body coverings and equipment available and agree an approach, which will depend upon the outcomes of any initial risk assessment and legal requirements, including considerations such as: • • 9 The face-to-face methodology being applied The environment where the research is to take place The profile of participants e. g. , age, health, demographics The likelihood of maintaining social distancing The quality of communication with participants The complexity of messaging The potential impact on participants if verbal communication is impaired The potential emotional impact on participants (e. g. , children, vulnerable adults, etc. )

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 Change to the guidance regarding the use of clinically extremely vulnerable research practitioners • Research practitioners who are clinically extremely vulnerable may be considered to undertake face-to-face research activities if the individuals wish to be considered for such activities and a risk assessment has been undertaken which determines whether they are suitable to be considered 10

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 Research practitioners must include appropriate considerations when conducting risk assessments to consider whether clinically extremely vulnerable individuals are suitable for face-to-face research. Considerations may include: • • • 11 The shielding status where the clinically extremely vulnerable individuals are located: each of the four nations has different guidance on shielding Whether one or two doses of a vaccine has been received The general health of the clinically extremely vulnerable individuals The status of the individuals’ households e. g. , are other members of their household at high risk The nature of the face-to-face research being undertaken The length of time any face-to-face activities may take, particularly how long clinically extremely vulnerable individuals may be exposed to individual participants The location face-to-face research and the risk of maintaining social distancing and/or risk of exposure The availability of lower risk research practitioners The availability of alternative research opportunities for clinically extremely vulnerable individuals using other methodologies e. g. , telephone, online, mail

Research recruitment 12

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 When research practitioners have determined participants are suitable and willing to participate in face-to-face research, they must undertake screener questions to establish whether participants: • • 13 are experiencing any flu-like and/or Covid-19 symptoms been diagnosed with Covid-19 been in close contact with any individuals experiencing any flu-like and/or Covid-19 symptoms are self-isolating and/or have members of their household who are self-isolating been in close contact with any individuals diagnosed with Covid-19 are content and confident to participate in face-to-face research, specifically any activities in which they may be asked to engage e. g. , group activities with other participants in a central location have any specific concerns regarding participating in face-to-face research

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 • Research practitioners must inform participants that if their health situation changes between the time of recruitment and face-to-face research they may no longer participate • Research practitioners must inform participants of the implications of participating in any face-to-face research, specifically any contract tracing applications and actions required which apply to the country where face-to-face research is being undertaken 14

Travel and Overnight Stays 15

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 • Research practitioners must minimise the amount of travel required e. g. , localise research to specific areas • Research practitioners must plan ahead or avoid busy public transport times and routes • Research practitioners must follow any lockdown travel restrictions which apply to each of the UK’s four nations • Research practitioners should limit travel for research unless absolutely necessary for the purposes of the project • Research practitioners should not stay overnight anywhere other than their primary residences except for business purposes • Research practitioners should make appropriate plans to minimise such overnight stays 16

During research: different environments 17

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 For all research undertaken: • Wear face covering in those areas where it is mandated and/or social distancing is not possible – as per four nations rules • Follow social distancing where possible • Follow any additional restrictions which apply in an area • Consider infection reduction methods for support materials shared with participants e. g. , incentives, showcards, stimulus materials, etc. 18

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 For qualitative research in venues: • Before commencing must ensure adherence to appropriate government guidance on venues • For research viewing facilities follow separate MRS guidance on facilities: https: //www. mrs. org. uk/pdf/MRS%20 Facilities%20 Post. Lockdown%20 Covid 19%20 research%20 guidance%2012 th%20 April%202021%20 FOR %20 ISSUE. pdf • Research practitioners must check the completed risk assessments and supporting documents, and only use facilities where they are satisfied that all reasonable measures, including risk mitigations, have been undertaken 19

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 Facilities will have undertaken a range of activities to prepare their venues including: • Completed the relevant Government safe working risk assessment with appropriate notification of assessments • Installed signs and floor/wall markings • Communicated with clients, participants and staff about safety measures • Trained staff • Appropriately cleaned facilities, equipment, etc. • Moved furniture to ensure social distancing • Amended food and drink arrangements • Provided enhanced personal hygiene • Maximised ventilation • Managed public and common areas including limits on numbers 20

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 The current situation on in-home research: • In-home is restricted to the doorstep • Research practitioners must design in-home/door-to-door face-to-face research activities in recognition of the environmental limitations of collecting data outside; an environment that cannot guarantee confidentiality and data privacy • Research practitioners should consider in-home/door-to-door research activities and when the application of mixed modes may be appropriate e. g. , long interviews and/or sensitive topics when completion of research might be undertaken by phone after initial face-to-face research and/or recruitment has taken place 21

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 Research practitioners must design appropriate research activities, which will depend upon the outcomes of any initial risk assessment, including considerations such as: • • 22 The age and mobility of participants Data collection length Nature of the research topic Use of stimulus and/or support materials Use of self-completion tools Collection of sensitive data Collection of special category data

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 The current situation on in-home research: • MRS is working with stakeholders on a plan for the potential resumption of in-home face-to-face research late summer • This plan assumes continued success with the vaccine roll-out and reduction of infection rates, and a positive assessment of participant attitudes to in-home research • MRS is continuing to monitor this situation, including whether resumption might be able to start earlier, and should the advice change, we will issue a statement 23

Variants of Concern 24

Covid-19 UK Government Guidance - May New UK Government advice for areas where the Variant of Concern is spreading fastest: • • 25 Bedford Borough Council Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council Burnley Borough Council Kirklees Council Leicester City Council London Borough of Hounslow North Tyneside Council

Covid-19 UK Government Guidance - May The UK Government has stated that, where possible, in the areas affected individuals should try to: • Meet outside rather than inside where possible • Keep 2 metres apart from people that they don’t live with (unless they have formed a support bubble with them), this includes friends and family individuals don’t live with • Minimise travel in and out of affected areas 26

Covid-19 UK Government Guidance - May In light of the new UK Government advice, when applying the MRS requirements practitioners must consider the following: • • • 27 The results of any project risk assessments (including those projects already underway) and determine whether the risk mitigations associated with any face-to-face research activities are sufficient in light of the new conditions in the affected areas Limiting the amount of travel which research practitioners need to undertake for any planned face-to-face research activities in affected areas Only using research practitioners from affected areas to undertake face-to-face research activities in the affected areas

Scotland 28

Covid-19 MRS Guidance for Scotland Tier system Research practitioners must follow the protection level advice for practitioners and participants in Scotland MRS has issued separate guidance interpreting the MRS protection level system: https: //www. mrs. org. uk/pdf/New%20 Covid%2019%20 Scotland%20 Prot ection%20 Level%20 system%20 guidance%20 April%202021%20 FOR%20 ISSUE. pdf Research practitioners must follow the appropriate Scottish Government safe working guidance and the current MRS Covid-19 guidance 29

Next steps for the MRS guidance 30

Covid-19 MRS Guidance updated April 2021 Updating the guidance post-May 17 th 2021: • Review the impact of the post-May easing of restrictions • If situation continues to be positive, at the beginning of June MRS intends to review and issue new guidance lessen the restriction on the use of face-to-face methodologies removing the ‘no other alternative’ caveat • BUT, we will need to consider the current Government guidance and adapt our approach as necessary 31

Thank you Questions and Discussion