- What is the REB?
- Who can answer questions about Research Ethics at Humber?
- When do I need to apply to the REB?
- When are the REB meetings held?
- How long will the (REB) review process take?
- I am working with a principal investigator at another institution and he/she has Ethics Approval there. Do I need to get an approval here as well?
- I am just conducting a simple research protocol to answer a simple question(s), I do not need to get Ethics Approval for that, do I?
- Do I need to renew my research plan (“protocol”) once it has been approved?
"REB" is the acronym for the Research Ethics Board. Currently, the REB members deal with all the research involving human subjects and/or research with potential conflict of interest.
2. Who can answer questions about Research Ethics at Humber?
Please contact reb@humber.ca for further information.
3. When do I need to apply to the REB?
If you are using one or more human subjects in your research activities under the auspices of Humber, or in any way related to Humber staff or students, you need to apply to the REB for Ethics Approval.
All research plans (protocols) or studies involving human subjects carried out by an individual connected with Humber must be reviewed and approved by the REB before work is started. For clarification: The REB will also review your research project proposal, to determine if there is a potential for conflict of interest issues.
4. When are the REB meetings held?
REB meetings are held every second month. Please see the meeting schedule.
5. How long will the REB review process take?
Submissions to REB will be acknowledged within five working days of being received. All submissions received by the specified deadlines will be placed on the agenda of the next scheduled REB meeting. The REB usually makes approval decisions about each submission at each meeting. In some circumstances, the REB may delay final approval pending clarification or additional information. Most clarifications and requests for additional information can be approved by the REB Chair, and do not need to go befor ethe Board at a subsequent meeting. Occasionally, a submission may need to be revised and reviewed again at a subsequent REB meeting.
6. I am working with a principal investigator at another institution and he/she has Ethics Approval there. Do I need to get an approval here as well?
Yes. Humber has a responsibility for research carried out by its faculty members and staff members on its premises, with its resources, or with funds administered by the institution. Research plans (protocols) are required to meet community standards. Even though you have had ethics approval from another institution, you still have to apply and get approval from the Humber Research Ethics Board. All faculty members or graduate students at Humber are required to submit research plans for review regardless of where their research site(s) or subjects are located.
7. I am just conducting a simple research protocol to answer a simple question(s), I do not need to get Ethics Approval for that, do I?
Yes. All research involving human subjects, including the use of questionnaires, must be reviewed by the REB. Research ethics is predicated on the fact that all research involves risk. Human subjects are put at risk by participating in research. The risks range from stress resulting from being asked questions to possible physical harm from invasive medical testing. A fuller discussion of this topic can be found in the Tri-Council Policy Statement.
8. Do I need to renew my research plan (protocol) once it has been approved?
Yes. Your research plan must be renewed on an annual basis using Form 2. Compliance with ethical guidelines in research requires that you report any adverse incidents during the research to the Research Ethics Board and apply for renewal of approval if research continues beyond one year.
For more information on ethics, please reference the following links:
Ethics Links
Canadian Association of Research Ethics Boards (CAREB)
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
Interagency Advisory Panel of Research Ethics
National Council on Ethics in Human Research (NCEHR)
Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP)
Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA)
Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
Speech on Research Ethics Boards by the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (2003)
Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans
United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948