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Dear Department Review Chairs,
Good afternoon! I hope that you are all doing as well as possible in these interesting times! The IRB appreciates all you do to support human subjects researchers, and I am writing to ask
for your help in dispelling a rumor that is circulating. We have learned that some investigators have been told that the IRB is not reviewing or approving research involving in-person research activities. This
is not true. While the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is currently restricting in-person
contact with research participants, the IRB has never stopped reviewing or approving such research.
In fact, we believe that it is efficient for investigators who plan to begin or resume in-person research—once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted—to do the work now of obtaining their IRB approval. Please
do not tell investigators that they may not submit such studies, or that the IRB will not review/approve them.
There are two different sets of approvals in place:
1. IRB
Approval for Compliance with Human Subjects Regulations
The IRB will review all human subjects research, whether remote or in-person. While the pandemic restrictions are in place, all approval
letters for new projects will contain the note below, to clarify that while the research has IRB approval, there are further institutional restrictions in place if it involves in-person contact.
2. UT
Knoxville Institutional Approval for In-Person Research Activity During COVID-19
As part of its COVID-19 plan, the university is restricting in-person research activity, and a separate approval is currently required for it. Please see the HRPP
Guidance During COVID-19 page for more information about studies that are eligible to resume in-person activities.
Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions
(865) 974-7697
Open Office Hours:
Tuesdays from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.—Jenny Dunn (Zoom
link here)
Wednesdays from 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.—Jennifer Engle (Zoom
link here)