Introduction
Saint Paul University has adopted the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2), which sets out the principles and rules of ethics applicable to research. These principles guide and direct professors, students, and all University personnel.
Research projects involving human subjects by faculty members and graduate students (master’s and doctoral) must be submitted to the Ethics Committee. This approval is required for all projects, whether funded or not, conducted in Canada or abroad, and whether or not they involve collaborative work.
The Ethics Committee meets from September to June. No meetings are held in July and August.
Submission Deadlines — Research Ethics Board (REB)
| Submission Month | Submission Deadline | Notification Date (Decision) |
|---|---|---|
| September | September 30 at 4:00 p.m. | 4 to 5 weeks on average after the submission deadline |
| October | October 30 at 4:00 p.m. | 4 to 5 weeks on average after the submission deadline |
| November | November 30 at 4:00 p.m. | 4 to 5 weeks on average after the submission deadline |
| December | December 23 at 4:00 p.m. | 4 to 5 weeks on average after the submission deadline |
| January | January 30 at 4:00 p.m. | 4 to 5 weeks on average after the submission deadline |
| February | February 28 at 4:00 p.m. | 4 to 5 weeks on average after the submission deadline |
| March | March 30 at 4:00 p.m. | 4 to 5 weeks on average after the submission deadline |
| April | April 30 at 4:00 p.m. | 4 to 5 weeks on average after the submission deadline |
| May | May 30 at 4:00 p.m. | 4 to 5 weeks on average after the submission deadline |
| June | REB CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER | |
| July | REB CLOSED FOR THE SUMMER | |
| August | August 30 at 4:00 p.m. | 4 to 5 weeks on average after the submission deadline |
Notes:
- Applications received by May 30 at 4:00 p.m. will be reviewed in June. No new applications will be accepted for the June 30 or July 30 deadlines; the next submission deadline will be August 30 at 4:00 p.m.
- If a deadline falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, it will be moved to the next business day.
Is a Research Ethics Board (REB) review required?
This poster provides a concise overview of the key articles of the TCPS 2 to help determine whether a research project requires REB review. Designed as a practical resource, it focuses on the essential criteria to ensure compliance with TCPS 2 requirements.
Who can submit an application?
- Faculty members for their own research.
- Doctoral and master’s students (and their supervisor) or students (and their supervisor) preparing a final thesis or major research paper.
- Faculty members who, as part of one of their courses, ask students to carry out an independent research project (directed reading or research) involving human participants.
- Course instructors who include research activities as a component of an undergraduate or graduate course intended for research training. Course supervisors are then required to conduct a detailed ethical evaluation of each individual project carried out in the course.
- Faculty members or students making secondary use of data collected for purposes other than their own research (e.g., academic or criminal records, private association archives, internal company documents).
- External researchers (not affiliated with Saint Paul University) wishing to conduct research with members of Saint Paul University or on its campus.
Submission process — step by step
- Determine whether REB review is required
Consult the TCPS 2 summary poster or contact the Office of Research and Ethics (ORE) to determine whether your project must be submitted to the REB. - Prepare your submission package
Complete the application form, the checklist (mandatory), the consent form, and any documents specific to your profile (thesis student, course-based research, secondary data use, etc.). - Submit your file before the deadline
Submit your complete file to the ORE before the submission deadline for the targeted month (see schedule above). Allow sufficient time to gather all required documents. - Review by the Research Ethics Board (REB)
The REB reviews your file at its monthly meeting. Modifications may be requested. A decision notification is issued within 4 to 5 weeks of the submission deadline. - Receive your ethics approval certificate
Once your file is approved, you will receive your ethics approval certificate. Your project may begin. Annual renewal is required for ongoing projects.
A research project may sometimes not be ready for REB review because certain details still need to be clarified. However, a researcher may request the release of a portion of their research funds to carry out tasks that do not involve human participants or their data. According to the Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions, the University may “unblock a portion of funds, limited to expenditures to be incurred before the involvement of human participants.” According to article 2.1 of the latest edition of the TCPS 2, research requiring REB review includes research with living human participants. To release a portion of research funds, please answer the questions below, sign the attestation, and send the signed form to the Office of Research and Ethics.
Application forms and documents
A — Initial Submission
- Checklist — must be submitted with the ethics application form [MANDATORY]
- Ethics Application Form
- Secondary Use of Data Form — for projects using existing data
- Ethical Assessment Form for a Course — for instructors offering a course
- Research Project Approval Form by the Thesis Committee — for students completing a thesis
- Supervisor Confirmation of Methodology Form — for students not completing a thesis
B — Consent and Confidentiality
C — Amendments and Unexpected Events (Ongoing Projects)
Renewal and closure reports
Annual Reports — Certificate Renewal
Final Reports — File Closure
Training and tools
TCPS 2 Tutorial: Course on Research Ethics (CORE)
The TCPS 2: CORE tutorial helps put into practice the guidance provided in the TCPS 2. This self-paced course presents content in a variety of formats, including interactive exercises and multidisciplinary examples. It consists of eight modules, from foundational principles to REB review.
Participating in Research: Educational Resources
The Panel on Research Ethics is pleased to announce a new set of educational resources designed to help people who are participating in research or considering joining a research study. This material provides information on how the ethical guidance in the TCPS 2 protects research participants.
Interpretations of TCPS 2
Official clarifications on the application of the Tri-Council Policy Statement in specific research contexts.
Glossary on the Use of Sensitive Data for Research Purposes
Definitions and clarifications of key terms related to the use of sensitive data in human participant research.
Risk Matrix for Research Data Involving Human Participants
A tool for assessing the levels of risk associated with data collected in research projects involving human participants.
Online Survey Tool — SurveyMonkey (Enterprise Licence)
Students, faculty, researchers, and staff at Saint Paul University and the University of Ottawa have free access to the SurveyMonkey Enterprise licence. This online survey tool provides real-time data visibility and control. The Enterprise licence gives access to all available features.