Research Ethics Board FAQs
What is the role of the REB?
In accordance with standard practice at Canadian post-secondary institutions, the REB’s role is to facilitate research activities involving human participants or animal subjects to mitigate risk and harm. Research projects that fall under the REB’s mandate cannot proceed without REB approval. Unapproved projects may result in sanctions as set out in AUArts policies and procedures.
Does the REB review everything with an ethical dimension?
No, the REB's mandate only includes activities research involving human participants and animal subjects. This does not mean that projects falling outside of the REB’s specific mandate may not have significant ethical dimensions or incur significant ethical responsibilities.
What research ethics policy does the REB follow?
AUArts’s REB is guided by the standards set by the Tri-Council Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS2), which is the standard for Canadian post-secondary intuitions. Read more about TCPS2
How does the TCPS2 define research?
The Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS2) defines research as "an undertaking intended to extend knowledge through a disciplined inquiry or systematic investigation."
Is creative practice exempt from REB review?
Yes, Article 2.6 of the TCPS2 states that: “Creative practice activities, in and of themselves, do not require REB review. However, research that employs creative practice to obtain responses from participants that will be analyzed to answer a research question is subject to REB review.” Further, the TCPS2 states that: “Creative practice is a process through which an artist makes or interprets a work or works of art. It may also include a study of the process of how a work of art is generated. Creative practice activities do not require REB review, but they may be governed by ethical practices established within the cultural sector.” In short, the primary purpose of the activity is what determines whether or not it is research or creative practice.
Apart from creative practice, are there other activities involving research with human participants that do not require REB approval?
No. Research that is archival (i.e., uses only existing public or published records and materials) does not typically require ethics approval. Research on public figures based exclusively on publically available information does not require consent, and professional artists, paid participants, and performers are not generally considered to be research subjects. Quality assurance and improvement studies, performance reviews, program evaluation activities, or testing within normal educational requirements are not typically subject to review.
A substantial amount of design research relies on observation. Does this require REB approval?
REB review is not required for research involving the observation of people in public places where:
- it does not involve any intervention staged by the researcher, or direct interaction with the individuals or groups;
- individuals or groups targeted for observation have no reasonable expectation of privacy; and
- any dissemination of research results does not allow identification of specific individuals.
However, it is important to note that the final decision on whether or not research requires REB approval lies with the REB itself.
Do activities done in class require REB approval?
Yes, if the activity’s primary intent is research, and if it involves human participants or animal subjects.
Does research with my family members and my friends require REB approval?
Yes.
I have REB approval from another post-secondary institution. Do I need AUArts REB approval?
Yes, all research carried out by AUArts faculty, students, and staff must receive AUArts REB approval. If you have REB approval from outside AUArts, your application may be expedited.
When do I need to submit an application to the REB?
If your activity involves human participants, and if its primary purpose is research rather than creative practice, then you most likely need to submit an application for ethical review. No work with human participants can begin before REB approval has been received. If in doubt, the REB Self Assessment form can help you to determine whether your activity requires REB approval.
How do I make an application?
Download the AUArts REB Application and submit the completed form to the Office of Academic Affairs, oraa@auarts.ca.
How does the REB make a decision?
The REB assesses proposals based on risk. If risk is deemed minimal, no further action is usually needed. If risk is not deemed minimal, the REB will engage in a dialogue with the applicant to mitigate risk based on the principals noted above. The TCPS2 distinguishes between research that is of less than minimal risk and that which is more than minimal risk. Minimal risk is defined as: “research in which the probability and magnitude of possible harms implied by participation in the research is no greater than those encountered by participants in those aspects of their everyday life that relate to the research” (TCPS2, Chapter 2, Section B, “Concepts of Risk and Potential Benefits). Minimal risk research also excludes research with vulnerable groups such as the young, the elderly, those who cannot give consent, and those in vulnerable circumstances.
For research of minimal risk, the REB uses a delegated review process with two board members reviewing the application. Only applications that involve more than minimal risk require a full board review.
Most research and research activities carried out at AUArts are of minimal risk.