TCPS2 (2022)

Research Ethics Board (REB) Process

For many projects, REB approval will be required whenever students are collecting data from humans. Institutional REB approval is necessary and can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks, depending heavily on the quality of the initial application. All relevant information, including submission dates, can be found here, and REB training modules are found here.

There is a slight misalignment in the timelines between our course and REB reviews. According to the course outline, students are expected to submit their REB application only after their research protocols have been written and assessed by the RTs, typically by the end of the Fall term in late November. If we assume the REB application goes to the first meeting in January (for example, to be reviewed on January 17, 2024, the application must be received by January 3), and allow for up to 8 weeks for approval, data collection would not begin until March. This leaves insufficient time to complete the projects within the term.

I am actively working with the REB, as well as revising the course structure to address this issue, but in the meantime, here are a few proactive strategies to consider:

1. Submit REB Applications Earlier
   If a full application is needed, submit it before January. One option is for the RTs to use the REB application as a template for the research proposal and move the deadline to as early as the end of October. I highly recommend this approach for smoother timelines.

2. Use Studies with Existing REB Approval
   For existing studies with REB approval (e.g., an RT's project that is already approved), students can submit minor amendments to the study file. Major changes, such as altering the research question or adding a new arm to the study, will require a new submission. If you're unsure whether a change is minor or major, please consult with me or the REB office.

3. Non-Peak Submission Period
   The non-peak REB submission period starts at the beginning of December, which is an ideal time for students submitting new applications.

REB Submissions with Shortened Review Times:

• Secondary Use of Data Studies

• Multi-Jurisdictional Research (MJR): Studies with full ethical clearance from another REB.

Studies Exempt from REB Review:

• Studies relying on publicly available information (Article 2.2, TCPS2).

• Observational research in public spaces with no expectation of privacy (Article 2.3, TCPS2).

• Secondary use of anonymous data with no linkages, where results will not generate identifiable information (Article 2.4, TCPS2).

• Quality assurance and quality improvement studies (Article 2.5, TCPS2).

• Creative practice activities (Article 2.6, TCPS2).

Feel free to reach out if you need clarification on any of these points.

The Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2) 2022 Training Requirement

TCPS2 is a set of ethical guidelines and principles established by the three federal research agencies in Canada: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). These guidelines are designed to ensure that research involving human participants is conducted ethically and with respect for the dignity, rights, and welfare of the participants.

• All students must complete the TCPS 2 2022 version, which can be found [here]. 

• If a student has already completed the 2022 version, they do not need to retake it. 

• However, if they have a version from before 2022, they must complete the new 2022 version.

• To complete this task, the student needs to complete the tutorial, pass the test, and download the PDF certificate. The PDF certificate will then need to be uploaded to Canvas.