Frequently asked questions
- Do I need approval for a small, pilot research study or to pre-test a study instrument or questionnaire?
Yes - What do I do if I want to make a change to a study after I obtain approval?
All protocol changes, whether major or minor, must be submitted for approval prior to implementation. An amendment request form (found on the website) must be completed and submitted to the the REB office. - My application fits the expedited criteria, which form do I fill out?
There are 2 options; either the short application form for health chart research i.e. when no patient contact is planned or the long application form for all other forms of research. - Who do I contact to arrange a science review of my study?
Either your division/program Research Director for unfunded or industry sponsored protocols, or for all external grant applications contact the Grants office staff. (Marisol Brookes at ext. 2255 - researchers' last names A-F, Gisele Guimaraes at ext. 4491 - researchers' last names G-L, or Delise Hall at ext. 6894 - researchers' last names M-Z). - Once I obtain ethics approval on my Health Records/Database application, how can I obtain the charts from Health Records?
Present your signed REB application form to staff in the Health Records Department. - There has been an adverse event at another study site. Do I still have to fill out an Adverse Event Report Form?
Yes. - When am I exempt from completing the continuing review section on the renewal form?
When the study is complete and you direct staff to close and archive the file. - How long does it take to get approval?
That depends on many factors eg., completeness of the application at the time of submission to the office, whether or not full review is required, the extent of unanswered questions raised by the Board following its review etc. - How will I be notified about my approval?
Approval is always written; verbal approval does not exist. Written approval may be communicated by e-mail, or surface mail. - If a project has been funded by an external agency, is internal science review automatically waived?
No. Internal science review is only waived by the REB after it has reviewed the science review documentation generated by the external agency, or if the funder is a major, granting agency and the project has undergone a competitive review and approval process. Please note that you still need to include a copy of the granting agency's review in your application package. - If we anticipate publishing the results of changes in our delivery of clinical care i.e., program improvements, do we need REB approval?
It depends. Quality & Risk Management has developed a policy "Quality Improvement Projects" found on the Lotus platform which delineates which projects require QRM approval, and which projects require REB approval. For questions, please contact Marie Pinard at ext. 8290.
