Research Ethics
Frequently Asked Questions!
Please review the helpful hints, on completing an ethics application, using the UNB-REB form by viewing the following document REB talk Kinesiology.
Further questions about the KIN-REC or UNB-REB review process should be address to Dr. Timothy McGarry, Chair of Research Ethics Committee in the Faculty of Kinesiology.
- What is the purpose of the two-tier ethics review?
- How do I get a project approved by the KIN Research Ethics Committee (KIN-REC) and the UNB Research Ethics Board (UNB-REB)?
- When I submit my proposal, must I sort out the needed material into three neat separate piles (for the KIN-REC), or two neat separate piles (for the UNB-REB), or can I just submit everything together as long as it is all in there?
- When I review a project to make sure that it is ethically sound, do I have to read both KIN-REC and UNB-REB forms?
- How can I determine whether it has scholarly merit?
- I'm a student and I'm doing my honours' research, what do I need to include that my supervisor does not?
- Do I always have to include a consent form?
- What projects do not have to go through UNB-REB reviews?
Answers
Q. What is the purpose of the two-tier ethics review?
The review by the KIN-REC ensures that the policies regarding ethical conduct for research involving humans, as outlined in the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS) are respected and applied. Therefore, all reviewers must be familiar with, and competent in the application of the TCPS.
It allows an opportunity for researchers to obtain feedback regarding ethical issues involved in their research project. It provides an opportunity for reviewers to be exposed to various research questions, methods, and approaches. All involved will further their knowledge of interdisciplinary approaches to research, and the various approaches to implementing common ethical principles.
It provides a review of the scholarly merit of the research by verifying that the study is valid, while respecting the epistemological tradition according to which the research project is conceptualized. When evaluating the merit and scholarly standards of the research proposal, the reviewers must be concerned with "a global assessment of the degree to which the research might further the understanding of a phenomenon, and not be driven by factors such as personal biases or preferences" (TCPS, C2, Article 1.5). Proposals should not be rejected for being controversial, for challenging mainstream thought, or for being offensive to powerful or vocal interest groups. Reviewers must focus on the "ethical probity and high scientific and scholarly standards" (TCPS, C2, Article 1.5).
Finally, the primary review at the faculty level plays an important role in the maintaining a research environment committed to respecting and upholding ethical principles. An important aspect of this environment is an appreciation for the peer-review process, which involves expedient reviews of our research, understanding the value of providing concrete suggestions for resolving an ethical problem so that research can go on, providing friendly editing and corrections of small errors such as typos, etc.
Q. How do I get a project approved by the KIN Research Ethics Committee (KIN-REC) and the UNB Research Ethics Board (UNB-REB)?
1. Download the UNB-REB form.
2. Submit one copy of ethics proposal to the Chair of the KIN-REC through the Dean's Office.
3. The KIN-REC will be chaired by the Director of Graduate Studies and two additional faculty members, one from the life sciences and one from the social sciences. These members will be appointed to the REC for a term of three years by the Dean of the Faculty.
4. The KIN-REC Chair, with the assistance of the Assistant to the Dean, confirms all required material is included. The Chair performs the initial review of the proposal and if, in his or her judgment, the proposal complies with TCPS and UNB policy, and comprises only minimal risk, then the Chair, or designate, may provide an expedited review. If, in the judgment of the Chair or designate, the proposal requires a more rigorous review, then the proposal is forwarded to the other members of the KIN-REC. The reviewers will have 5 (five) working days to review the proposal and return the reviewer's form with their comments.
5. The reviewers may:
- approve the proposal provided some specified changes are made. In this case, the reviewer may ask to see the proposal again once the changes have been mae, or may rely on the Chair of the KIN_REC to ensure that the changes have been made;
- approve the proposal provided some specified changes are made. In this case, the reviewer may ask to see the proposal again once the changes have been made, or may rely on the Chair of the KIN-REC to ensure that the changes have been made;
- identify a concern which needs to be addressed by the researcher prior to being approved. When a reviewer asks to see the proposal again, she or he evaluates the changes to determine their adequacy in addressing the identified concern. In extremely rare cases, the proposal may be rejected on the basis of a major and irresolvable ethical problem with the research or a complete lack of scholarly merit.
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6. The applicant has the right of appeal if their application is rejected by the KIN-REC. In this case, they can submit their application along with the KIN-REC comments regarding the status of the application directly to the UNB-REB for consideration.
7. Once the reviewers have approved the proposal, The KIN-REC Chair reviews the section to be submitted to the UNB-REB and if deemed acceptable, signs the form and transmits a memo that certifies the approval of the ethics committee. Alternatively, she or he recommends appropriate changes; the researcher makes the changes, and then resubmits the proposal to the KIN-REC Chair for approval.
8. Once the research proposal has been approved by the KIN-REC, the researcher submits her or his UNB ethics research proposal to the UNB-REB. This involves e-mailing the REB secretary the answer to the first question of the form that summarizes the aim(s) of the study and gives a description of the involvement of the participants. Also, the researcher appends two copies of the KIN-REC approval memo as part of the submission to the UNB-REB. If the proposal represents "less than minimal risk" for the participants (see TCSP, article 1.C1) then it can go through an "Expedited Review" by the Chair of the UNB-REB. If it represents more than minimal risk, or it contains an issue with which the UNB-REB Chair does not feel comfortable, it will be reviewed by the entire UNB-REB. Note that a proposal cannot be rejected through "Expedited Review." It is common that the UNB-REB Chair contacts the researcher by e-mail or by phone if small corrections or changes are needed before she or he will provide an expedited review leading to approval. To facilitate this process, it is important to provide the UNB-REB Chair with a correct and current e-mail address, as well as home and work telephone numbers. Any delays due to the Chair's inability to contact the researcher can then be avoided.
Q. When I submit my proposal, must I sort out the needed material into three neat separate piles (for the KIN-REC), or two neat separate piles (for the UNB-REB), or can I just submit everything together as long as it is all in there?
You must sort out and organize the material into 3 or 2 copies, according to the board to which you are applying, this will expedite the review process.
Q. When I review a project to make sure that it is ethically sound, do I have to read both KIN-REC and UNB-REB forms?
YES, the information you need to evaluate the project can only be obtained by reading both forms.
Q. How can I determine whether it has scholarly merit?
The researcher must provide sufficient information in the application form so that you can do so. If you feel that some information is missing, return it to the KIN-REC Chair stating specifically what is missing from the proposal for you to form a judgment.
Q. I'm a student and I'm doing my honours' research, what do I need to include that my supervisor does not?
The proposal of your research that clearly describes the rational for your study and the method you will follow.
Q. Do I always have to include a consent form?
YES, unless there is a good reason not to do so, which you must explain in the REB form.
Q. What projects do not have to go through UNB-REB reviews?
It is the Faculty of Kinesiology policy that all research ethics applications must receive UNB-REB approval prior to a research project beginning.
