COVID-19 PROTOCOL – KGS Ltd

COVID-19 F2F PROTOCOL – KGS Ltd

This document has been prepared to cover COVID-19 requirements.  The protocol will be reviewed and amended and advice from the Government changes.  Additional guidance is provided by the MRS and can be found at:

https://www.mrs.org.uk/standards/undertaking-safe-face-to-face-data-collection

https://www.mrs.org.uk/pdf/Viewing-facilities-guidance.pdf

GENERAL

Before respondents are selected for face to face data collection Covid19 screener questions must be asked to determine if they are infected and/or are at risk of infection. Screeners must include appropriate considerations, which will depend on the outcome of any initial risk assessments:

  • Current state of health of respondent and their immediate households
  • Whether respondent and/or members of their immediate household have been diagnosed and/or tested for Covid-19
  • Whether respondent and/or members of their immediate household have been exposed to individuals who have been unwell and/or diagnosed and/or tested for Covid-19
  • Whether respondents are shielding or caring for individuals vulnerable to Covid-19 within their household
  • Current emotional health and personal confidence of respondent to undertake face to face data collection
  • Any specific respondent concerns regarding face to face data collection

Before interviewers undertake any face to face data collection activities, they must be briefed on how to undertake such activity in post-lockdown conditions, such as:

  • Understanding the government safe working requirements where face to face data collection is being undertaken
  • When and where data collection can safely take place
  • Locations and circumstances to avoid when undertaking face to face data collection
  • Undertaking risk assessments when collecting data from those classified as clinically vulnerable
  • Considering the needs of those with protected characteristics, such as those who are hearing or visually impaired
  • Wearing of face coverings and gloves, if handwashing and sanitising is not possible. 
  • Avoiding physical contact and touching of own face particularly noses, eyes and mouths
  • Determining social distancing requirements
  • Asking participant health screener questions
  • Appropriate handling, cleaning and transfer of data collection tools e.g. laptops, showcards, stimulus materials
  • Appropriate handling of incentives including storage, cleaning and transfer
  • Removal and discarding of any cleansing materials e.g. sanitary wipes, tissues, etc used during data collection
  • Appropriate handling and transfer of assurance and/or consent processes e.g. thank you leaflets, recruitment documentation, etc.
  • Responding appropriately to any participant concerns about undertaking face to face data collection during post-lockdown

CLTS

KGS is recommending pre-recruitment for CLTs so we can fully monitor the number of respondents present, as each will be given specific appointment times to attend for their interview.  KGS will also then have a full register of all respondents so can provide track and trace information if anyone comes forward with symptoms.

As a minimum we will be asking respondents to sanitize their hands on arrival and when they leave.  The CAPI tablets, chairs and tables will be cleaned after each respondent using disinfectant wipes and anti-bac sprays. If possible we’re advising self-completion of all surveys for the time being to limit contact between interviewers/respondents.

Interviewers will be present to meet and greet and start respondents onto the survey and they will be provided with masks, gloves and aprons. With the schedule we would put in place there would be a maximum of 4-6 respondents at any one time – so we can spread the tables out as much as possible. This means we are being more cautious than pre-COVID-19 on the number of respondents we would recruit/interview per day. So we are currently advising less respondents per day, which can result in more CLT days dependent on the sample size.

Respondents will not be recruited if they are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms and recruiters will check this as part of the screening process and again when they make confirmation courtesy calls the day before FW.

When interviewers approach individuals for face to face to participate they must:

a) Position themselves in a location where they are able to adhere to social distancing requirements b) Avoid people who look visibly unwell

c) Adhere to social distancing requirements when recruiting potential participants

d) Carry tissues and sanitary wipes and throw away in a bin any which are used e) Avoid touching their nose, mouth or eyes

f) Avoid any physical contact such as shaking a participant’s hand

g) Be aware that asking individuals to participate in research may cause unnecessary stress and concern and to take steps to offer assurances to mitigate such concerns

h) Consider the appropriateness of wearing of face coverings and gloves

F2F

When interviewers approach individuals for face to face to participate they must:

  • Position themselves in a location where they are able to adhere to social distancing requirements 
  • Avoid people who look visibly unwell
  • Adhere to social distancing requirements when recruiting potential participants
  • Carry tissues and sanitary wipes and throw away in a bin any which are used
  • Avoid touching their nose, mouth or eyes
  • Avoid any physical contact such as shaking a participant’s hand
  • Be aware that asking individuals to participate in research may cause unnecessary stress and concern and to take steps to offer assurances to mitigate such concerns
  • Consider the appropriateness of wearing of face coverings and gloves or sanitise their hands
  • Only the interviewer should handle the CAPI device to prevent any cross contamination.

All KGS CAPI tablets are fully sanitized prior to dispatch.  Any paper documents are quarantined for 72 hours on prior to handling.

INTERVIEWERS

KGS interviewers will not present themselves or partake in any face to face data collection if:

  • Have any concerns over their current state of health or anyone in their immediate households
  • Are displaying any Covid-19 symptoms:
  • a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
    • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
    • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
  • Whether they and/or members of their immediate household have been diagnosed and/or tested for Covid-19
  • Whether they and/or members of their immediate household have been exposed to individuals who have been unwell and/or diagnosed and/or tested for Covid-19
  • Whether they are shielding or caring for individuals vulnerable to Covid-19 within their household
  • Current emotional health and personal confidence of interviewer to undertake face to face data collection
  • Any specific interviewer concerns regarding face to face data collection

If an interviewer has any health concerns before starting a F2F project they must immediately inform their Area Manager so it can be decided if the interviewer need to be removed from the project. 

If an interviewer develops any symptoms whilst working on a F2F project they must cease working immediately, inform the Area Manager, return home and monitor their symptoms as to whether they need to seek a Covid-19 test.

If an interviewer develops any symptoms within 48 hours of working on a F2F project they must inform their Area Manager immediately.  Any respondents who have been in contact with that interviewer will then receive KGS’s Track and Trace text notification.

If an interviewer receives a Positive test within 4 days of working on a KGS F2F project (48 since contact and 48 to get test results) they must inform their Area Manager immediately so any respondents who have been in contact with the interviewer can be sent KGS’s Track and Trace text notification.

Example Track and Trace Notification:

“Thank you for taking part in our research recently regarding XXXXXX.  Unfortunately the interviewer that you were in contact with has tested positive for Covid-19, so as part of our Track and Trace we need to let you know. We would ask you to follow Government Guidelines regarding self-isolation”

If you need further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus for information and support.  Or contact KGS on XXXXXXX if you need any further clarification or advice.  Please confirm that you have received this text by replying Yes.  Thank you, KGS.”

Updated October 2020