ETHICS

Do I need research ethics board approval?

Ethics 101: “HELP?”

The approval process generally takes 2 months from start of application to final approval.

Research projects involving McMaster University, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Hamilton Health Sciences must obtain ethical approval from the HiREB (Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board) before research can begin.

Research projects involving Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Grand River Hospital and St. Mary's General Hospital must obtain ethical approval from the Tri-Hospital Research Ethics Board (THREB).

The Student Research Committee (SRC) is a subcommittee of the HiREB. They review minimal risk research conducted by Faculty of Health Science students at the undergraduate and master’s levels. The Student Research Committee (SRC) reviews minimal risk studies and is governed by the same guidelines and regulations as the main board (HiREB).

Many REBs require anyone who wishes to do research on humans to complete a ‘TCPS 2’ (Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans, 2nd edition) Tutorial. You must include the certificate and/or confirmation number in the ethics application. 

Feel free to download the following REB application examples:

HIREB Retrospective Chart Review Example 1

THREB Retrospective Chart Review Example 1

THREB Retrospective Chart Review Example 2

THREB Prospective Study Example 1

THREB Study Information Sheet Example

THREB Verbal Consent Script Example

THREB Verbal Consent Sheet Example