Levels of review

1. Full REB review
This level of review is required for all research that the REB regards as posing more than minimal risk (see definition below). The REB may require this level of review for minimal-risk research as well if it judges that aspects of the research warrant doing so.

2. Delegated review by a Faculty Representative on the REB
Ethics applications filed with the REB normally receive delegated review by a Faculty Representative if the REB regards the research as posing only minimal risk. The Faculty Representative must report the results of such review for ratification by the full REB at a regular meeting.

3. Department-level delegated review of minimal-risk research in courses
The department, school, or program may review research that undergraduate or graduate students conduct to fulfill non-thesis course requirements, provided that the research poses only minimal risk. Reviews must adhere to TCPS2. An annual report shall be emailed to the Chair of the REB by June 30, giving details of the review procedures used and listing all research projects approved during the previous twelve months. Research posing more than minimal risk and research by students as part of a faculty member's research program must be reviewed by the REB.

4. Department-level delegated review of minimal-risk Honours research
The department, school, or program may review minimal-risk Honours research. Reviews must adhere to TCPS2. The department, school, or program must report the results of such reviews to the Chair of the REB by June 30 of each year, giving details of the review procedures used and listing all Honours projects approved during the previous twelve months. The department, school, or program may decline to conduct reviews, either in general or in individual cases, directing applications to the REB instead. Research posing more than minimal risk and research by students as part of a faculty member's research program must be reviewed by the REB.

Notes:
(a) Graduate thesis research must be reviewed by the REB. Review of such research is not delegated to the department, school, or program.
(b) The national Secretariat on Research Ethics has ruled that if a realistic prospect exists that a faculty member will co-author a paper based on a student's research project, then the project must be reviewed by the REB. Review of such research is not delegated to the department, school, or program.

Definition of "minimal risk"
"For the purposes of this Policy, 'minimal risk' research 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]

Please direct any questions to the Chair of the REB.