Research Ethics

Review Research Practices

The Research Ethics Board (REB) strongly recommends that all applicants consult the Terms of Reference regulating the mandate and procedures of the REB and familiarize themselves with the processes followed for review, decisions, and appeals.

Have a question?

Any questions about the ethical review process can be directed to ethics@nipissingu.ca. 

Purpose

The Tri-Council Policy Statement 2: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS2 2022) document describes standards and procedures for governing research involving human participants. The Councils (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC) have adopted this policy and required, as a minimum, that researchers and institutions apply the ethical principles and the articles of this policy. The Councils aim to protect human research participants, ensuring the respect of the principles of free and informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, and minimum risk.

The mandate of the Research Ethics Board is “to approve, reject, propose modifications to, or terminate any proposed or ongoing research involving human participants which is conducted within, or by members of, the institution, using considerations set forth in this Policy as a minimum standard.” (TCPS, Article 1.2, Authority of the REB)

Each institution through its REB is directly accountable to the Tri-Councils. External audits or research ethics monitoring are regularly carried out. The Councils will consider funding (or continued funding) only to individuals and institutions which certify compliance with the TCPS regarding research involving human participants.

Each protocol submitted will be thoroughly reviewed and processed in a timely manner. Please await a response as one will be shared as soon as the review has been completed. The REB appreciates your patience.

It is the responsibility of any researcher (Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator) to become familiar with the Tri-Council Policy Statement 2: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (2018) and complete the TCPS-2: CORE 2022 training course.

Board Membership

Voting Members

  • Dr. Kristina Karvinen, Chair - School of Physical and Health Education
  • Dr. Geoff Hartley, Vice-Chair - School of Physical and Health Education
  • Dr. Laurie Peachey, Vice-Chair - School of Nursing
  • Dr. Anahita Baregheh - School of Business
  • Dr. Christine Lalonde - Department of Psychology, Sociology, Child and Family Studies and Social Welfare
  • Dr. Tara McGoey - Canadore College Representative
  • Dr. Anna-Liisa Mottonen - Canadore College Representative
  • Dr. Derek Neal - Department of History, Anthropology and Ancient Studies
  • Triana Ortiz-Wilde - Canadore College Representative
  • Jessica Stickle - Community Member 
  • Shiv Mohan - Community Member

Non-voting Members

  • Research Coordinator (non-voting)

For composition requirements please refer to our Terms of Reference.

The NUREB meets monthly throughout the entire year to discuss ethics protocols and ethics education. Applications are reviewed on a rolling fashion and may be submitted at any time. 

Research with Indigenous Participants/Communities

  • In accordance with a commitment made by Nipissing University in 2010 all faculty, student and staff research and academic engagements related to Indigenous peoples and/or communities will involve the participation of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives - Research (OII) prior to submission of an REB Protocol.
  • The OII will assist in facilitating and coordinating with appropriate First Nation, Inuit and/or Métis resource people and communities.

Learn more about Research with Indigenous Participants/Communities

National Indigenous Peoples Day at Nipissing

Protocols Submission and Related Info

Protocol Submission

Applications for research with human participants

Requirements for submission of a complete protocol

  • Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS 2) CORE-2022 Certificate of Completion - for all project team members (create an account with your Nipissing email address and complete training here). Note that as of July 2022, we will only accept the newest version of the CORE module (CORE-2022).
  • Participant Information Letter/Consent - if required
  • Confidentiality Forms - if required
  • Recruitment Posters/Adverts - if required
  • Additional Certifications/Approvals - if required
  • Community Engagement Plans - if appropriate (through Office of Indigenous Initiatives)

See the Protocol Forms tab for guides to creating Participant Information Letters and recruitment materials. If you would like further assistance or samples, contact ethics@nipissingu.ca. 

REB will not review incomplete protocols. If your protocol has any missing or incomplete information, it will be returned to you for completion before NUREB review. In all cases the Principal Investigator (PI) is required to make the official submission of a protocol. The PI must confirm that all information within the application is accurate and they believe the application is ready for review. In the cases of student research, the faculty supervisor shall be designated the PI.

Multi-Stage protocols

  • The NUREB requires that programs of research involving successive studies or multiple stages be broken into separate protocols, that is, one study per protocol. If there are any questions, please contact the Chair or Vice-Chair of NUREB.

Types of reviews

  • Minimal risk studies will be eligible for Delegate Review (2 reviewers, 1 chair). Allow up to 5-6 weeks after submission for the Research Ethics Board to respond with a decision.
  • Above minimal risk studies may require Full Board Review (reviewed by all REB members, 1 chair). Allow a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks after submission for the REB to respond with a decision.

Events for research with human participants:

  • Renewals
  • Modifications
  • Report on Adverse Events
  • Final Reports

If minor in nature, events are reviewed by the REB Chair or Vice-Chair. Allow up to 1 week after submission for a response with decision on any event.