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Background: Research ethics committees (RECs) globally have adapted their responses to provide timely reviews of research proposals in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The REC of the National Bioethics Committee (NBC) of Pakistan has followed suit. Aims: To explore perceptions of NBC-REC reviewers who reviewed COVID-19 research proposals while describing the newly instituted Rapid Turnaround Review (RTR) system. Methods: This cross-sectional study used 3 methods of data collection: a demographic questionnaire filled in by permanent members and co-opted reviewers; qualitative in-depth interviews conducted with both groups; and document review related to COVID-19 research proposals. Results: Eight permanent members and 3 co-opted members participated. Under the RTR system, the time for review was established as 72 hours after receipt of the proposal. The Committee reviewed 55 projects over 10 months. Participants described numerous strengths of the new system, including introduction of online discussions via Zoom as well as presence of co-opted members leading to learning opportunities, particularly for junior members. The RTR system also allowed NBC-REC to gain recognition it had not enjoyed previously. Challenges identified by respondents included initial difficulty in initiating the system and tighter deadlines that may have compromised review quality. Poor scientific quality of proposals, compounded by external pressures to provide rapid approval, added to reviewers’ frustrations. While fruitful, the RTR system was considered unsustainable beyond a public health emergency. Conclusion: Adaptation of ethical review processes is essential in emergencies, however, existing guidelines have to be modified to suit contextual needs.

This research aims to explore the perceptions regarding role of social networking sites (SNS) in construction of beliefs about gender stereotypes by focusing on how gender is perceived among social media users. Further it explores how youth present and project themselves in terms of gender attributes on social networking sites. Current research is exploratory in nature and employed In-depth-interview as research method. The sample comprised of youth selected through purposive sampling procedure. The measures for collecting data encompassed a face sheet including demographic details and interview protocol was also developed. The findings revealed that there are diverse perceptions regarding gender stereotypes among SNS users. Perceptions regarding gender stereotypes and their self-presentations on SNS revealed that men are considered as dominating and authoritative while women are considered as emotional. SNS are constructing and reshaping gender streotypes among users where males present themselves as chraming and poweful whereas female users having beauty craze as a vibrant trait of their personality. Mostly youngsters are busy in their self praise and have become their own role models.