Scope
Note: This Procedure is consistent with the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (“TCPS 2 (2022)”), Chapter 8 – Multi-Jurisdictional Research.
This procedure forms part of JIBC’s Research Involving Human Participants Ethics Policy (the “Policy”) and should be followed and applied in relation to the free and informed consent of participants in research at JIBC under the Policy. Terms not otherwise defined in this procedure are as defined in the Policy.
Purpose
The procedure sets out considerations for the ethics review of multi-jurisdictional research either entirely within Canada, or in Canada and other countries.
Procedural Guiding Principles
Collaborations in research may require JIBC and the Research Ethics Board (“REB”) to adopt policies and procedures that permit arrangements for REB review by REBs at other institutions or external or independent REBs.
Review Mechanisms for Research Involving Multiple Institutions and/or Multiple Research Ethics Boards
Adoption of Alternative Review Models – An Institutional Responsibility (TCPS 2 (2022), Chapter 8, Article 8.1)
Partner institutions that have established an REB may approve alternative review models for research involving multiple REBs and/or institutions, in accordance with this procedure. JIBC remains responsible for the ethical acceptability and ethical conduct of research undertaken within its jurisdiction or under its auspices irrespective of where the research is conducted.
Selection of Research Ethics Review Model Relevant to the Research Project (TCPS 2 (2022), Chapter 8, Article 8.2)
When planning a research project involving multiple institutions and/or multiple REBs, researchers and REBs should select the most appropriate research ethics review model from among those authorized by their institutions.
Ethics Review of Research Conducted Outside the Institution (TCPS 2 (2022), Chapter 8, Articles 8.3 and 8.4)
Where research conducted under the auspices of a Canadian research institution and performed in whole or in part outside of Canada has been approved under a research ethics review model involving multiple institutions and/or REBs consistent with this Policy, the terms of that model apply.
Research conducted under the auspices of a Canadian research institution and conducted outside its jurisdiction, whether elsewhere in Canada, or outside Canada, shall undergo prior research ethics review by both:
- the REB at the Canadian institution under the auspices of which the research is being conducted; and
- the REB or other responsible review body or bodies, if any, at the research site.
The information to be provided to the researcher’s home REB will be determined by the provisions of the research ethics review model.
When conducting research outside the jurisdiction of their home institutions, whether at a site abroad, or in Canada, researchers shall provide their home REBs with the:
- relevant information about the rules governing research involving humans and the ethics review requirements at the research site, where any exist;
- names and contact information for the relevant REBs or comparable ethics bodies, if known, that will review the proposal at the research site; and
- relevant information about the target populations and circumstances that might have a bearing on the research ethics review by the researchers’ home REB.