University of Saskatchewan Policies

Research Involving Human Subjects

Category: Research
Responsibility: Vice-President (Research)
Authorization: University Council
Date: June 2000

Purpose:

To ensure that research involving human subjects is conducted in an ethical manner and in compliance with national standards.

Policy:

The University requires that research or other studies involving human subjects undertaken by anyone associated with the University, or any University facilities or services used, or funds for such purposes accepted, or accounts established, meet the standards outlined by the Tri-Council Policy Statement, Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans, August, 1998.

Review of research involving human subjects will be overseen by the following administrative structure, approved by University Council June 15, 2000. An umbrella committee - the University Committee on Ethics in Human Research (UCEHR) - will be established to oversee ethics review, two Research Ethics Boards (REBs) - the Biomedical REB (Bio-REB) and the Behavioural REB (Beh-REB), as well as the Ethics Education Committee. The structure allows for additional REBs, as well as sub-committees of REBs. The UCEHR will be responsible to develop and oversee procedures, through the REBs, to ensure ethical conduct of research involving human subjects and compliance to national standards.

University Committee on Ethics in Human Research (UCEHR):

Terms of Reference

The Committee will report to the Vice-President (Research) through the Manager of the Ethics Office and will carry out the following duties:

  • Adopt codes, guidelines, standards, policies, and procedures with respect to research ethics review for consistent application to different types of research. In this adoption, the Committee must adhere to the Tri-Council guidelines.
  • Develop Terms of Reference for the Research Ethics Boards (REBs).
  • Develop, in conjunction with the REBs, and then approve, an application format for the REBs.
  • Develop, in conjunction with the REBs, and then approve, procedures for operation of the REBs.
  • Resolve discrepancies in guidelines affecting the two REBs.
  • Address issues related to diversity and equity as they affect human ethics research.
  • Assess, on an on-going basis, the administrative resources needed for handling ethics review.
  • Hear appeals of REB decisions (committee members who are also on the REB that originally heard the case would not participate).

Membership

The Committee will be appointed by the Vice-President (Research) in consultation with University Council. It will be a working committee broadly representative of the campus community and be comprised of the following (the majority of which would be members of the campus community).

  • Manager, Ethics Office (ex-officio).
  • Representative of the biomedical and social sciences research communities on campus.
  • Chair or designate from Bio-REB, Beh-REB, and Ethics Education Committee
  • Representatives from the community off campus (e.g., clergyperson, person working in health, education, justice, or social service, member of diverse communities).
  • Among the above would be people knowledgeable in the relevant law and in ethics.

Officers: The Chair will be appointed by the Vice-President (Research). The Manager, Ethics Office will serve as Secretary.

Terms of Office: Members will serve in staggered 3-year terms.

Meetings: Meetings will be held twice a year or at the call of the Chair.

Ethics Education Committee

Terms of Reference

The Education Ethics Committee will be charged with educating the campus community about ethical issues in research (including integrity in research), and about current structures and processes for ethics review. The Committee will report to the Vice-President (Research) and will carry out educational functions such as the following:

  • Plan, publicize, and implement seminars on various aspects of ethics for research groups, departments and/or interest areas.
  • Provide material to campus communication media.
  • Provide consultation on research ethics to departments and colleges, which are planning education in this area for their faculty or students.
  • Establish a means of communicating with contact people in all departments in which research involving humans is commonly carried out, to share news, discussion, and announcements of upcoming educational events.

Membership

The Committee, appointed by the Vice-President (Research), will comprise the following:

  • Director of Communications Officer from the Office of the Vice-President (Research)
  • Representatives of the biomedical and social sciences research communities on campus.
  • Chair or designate from Bio-REB and Beh-REB.
  • Among the above would be a person knowledgeable in ethics.
  • Manager of the Ethics Office

The Chair will be appointed by the Vice-President (Research).  The Manager of the Ethics Office will serve as Secretary.

Terms of Office: Members will serve staggered 3-year terms.

Meetings: Meetings will be held twice a year or at the call of the Chair.

For more detailed information, please refer to document titled "Guidelines for Ethics Review of Research Involving Human Subjects", available at: http://www.usask.ca/research/ethics_review/policies.php

Contact: Contact: Director, Ethics Office (966-8585)
Website:  http://www.usask.ca/research/research_services

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