Research Ethics Board & Research Ethics Appeal Board

Terms of Reference

Responsibility

The Research Ethics Board is responsible for ensuring that the physical safety and personal integrity of all human participants in research at Niagara College are respected and protected.

Authority

The Research Ethics Board reviews applications for research activities involving human subjects as described in the Niagara College practice on “Research Involving Human Subjects”. The REB has the authority to approve, reject, propose modifications to, or terminate any proposed or ongoing research involving human subjects. The REB also serves the Niagara College research community as a consultative body, thus contributing to education in research ethics.

Membership:

The REB will be comprised of at least five members, appointed by the President of the College, including both men and women, of whom:

1. at least two members have broad expertise in the areas of research covered by the REB at the College
2. one member is knowledgeable in ethics
3. one is a lawyer, who is not the College legal counsel
4. one is a community member with no affiliation with the College

Members normally serve a two year term, and may be re-appointed.

Reports to:

President of the College; the President ensures that the necessary financial resources are available for the REB to execute its responsibilities.

Chair:

Elected by the REB on a two year appointment. The Chair is responsible for:

1. calling and chairing regular meetings of the REB and other meetings as required
2. maintaining and coordinating communication with REB members and the office of Research and Innovation
3. communicating decisions to the research applicant
4. assisting in determining expedited reviews of proposed research
5. recommending experts to the REB where appropriate
6. ensuring that appropriate documentation of REB meetings and decisions are kept and submitted to the office of Research and Innovation

Meetings:

Meetings will be held every other month unless there is a need to meet at an earlier date than the next scheduled meeting. The Chair will determine the agenda. A quorum is determined to be 50% plus one of the membership present. For decisions requiring full review, the members in attendance must have sufficient background and range of expertise to conduct the review(s) required. Documents of meetings and research applications involving human subjects, all decisions and reasons for them, including dissents and the reasons for them, will be maintained in the committee files. The files will be maintained in the office of Research and Innovation. Minutes are available to authorized personnel of the College, the researcher, and funding agencies as appropriate.

Decisions:

The committee will endeavour to reach decisions by consensus, and may wish to request external advice and/or representation in person from a researcher prior to decision making. If a consensus cannot be reached, a decision will be made by majority vote. The decision of the REB will be made in writing and signed by the Chair. Decisions may be to approve an application, request modification, or deny the application. The REB may reconsider a negative decision upon a written request by the applicant.

RESEARCH ETHICS APPEAL BOARD (REAB)

There shall be a Research Ethics Appeal Board, with membership, duties and responsibilities as follows:

Authority:

The REAB shall hear any appeals arising from negative decisions of the Research Ethics Board. Such appeals may only be initiated by the research applicant. Appeals may be made in writing and follow the procedure outlined in the Niagara College practice on “Research Involving Human Subjects”.

Reports to:

President of the College

Membership:

The REAB, similar to the REB, will be comprised of at least five members, appointed by the President of the College, including both men and women, of whom:

1. at least two members have broad expertise in the areas of research covered by the REB at the College
2. one member is knowledgeable in ethics
3. one is a lawyer, who is not the College legal counsel
4. one is a community member with no affiliation with the College

Members normally serve a two year term, and may be re-appointed. Current members of the REB may not serve on the REAB.

Meetings:

Meetings are called by the Chair, who is elected by the REAB for a two year term. A quorum is determined to be 50% plus one of the membership, provided that there is sufficient background and range of expertise present to conduct the appeal review(s) required. The REAB will make every attempt to reach consensus in its decision making. All decisions must be made in writing with reasons for the decision and communicated in a timely manner to the research applicant by the Chair. All files are maintained in the office of Research and Innovation.