  The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we live, work and the way we conduct
research. With the restrictions of lockdowns and social distancing, various
impacts were experienced by many software engineering researchers, especially
whose studies depend on human participants. We conducted a mixed methods study
to understand the extent of this impact. Through a detailed survey with 89
software engineering researchers working with human participants around the
world and a further nine follow-up interviews, we identified the key challenges
faced, the adaptations made, and the surprising fringe benefits of conducting
research involving human participants during the pandemic. Our findings also
revealed that in retrospect, many researchers did not wish to revert to the old
ways of conducting human-oriented research. Based on our analysis and insights,
we share recommendations on how to conduct remote studies with human
participants effectively in an increasingly hybrid world when face-to-face
engagement is not possible or where remote participation is preferred.
