Is a research ethics application required?
Most research on human participants or their data requires research ethics review regardless of the risk level. Research is defined as an “undertaking intended to extend knowledge through a disciplined inquiry and/or systematic investigation” (Tri-Council Policy Statement | TCPS2). Research participants are those whose “data, biological materials, or responses to interventions, stimuli, or questions by a researcher are relevant to answering the research question(s)." Exemptions to the above are:
- Research that relies exclusively on publicly available information, such as Stats Canada or archival data. (Article 2.2)
- Research involving observation in public places (Article 2.3).
Non-Research Activities
There are also other activities that do not fit under the TCPS2 definition of research and do not require review due to their intent and scope. These include quality assurance and quality improvement (QA/QI) activities, program evaluations, some Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) activities, creative practice, and public health surveillance studies.
Although these activities may look like research and use typical research methods (surveys, interviews, observations etc.), because the purpose differs from the intent of research (as defined by the TCPS2), they are outside the scope of research ethics board review. These activities may still raise ethical issues and careful consideration should be given by the project team.
Intent to Publish
The intent to publish your findings will also not determine whether your study requires ethics review. Most journals ask for details of ethical approval or a statement that it was not required. If you wish to publish the results of an activity that did not require ethics review, explain that under Article 2.5 of the Tri-Council Policy Statement, QA/QI activities are not subject to institutional ethical review.
Please see the Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Checklist for further information on what requires review.
A new screening tool for assessing whether ethics review is required will be in pilot until April 2025. If you would like to try it out, go to Is Ethics Review Required? for details.
Also see: Recruiting from UBC for behavioural research when there are no UBC researchers on the study team (April 2022)
Starting and submitting your ethics application
- Tip sheet for people who have no idea where to start! (October 2022)
- When to use the shortened ethics application forms (April 2019)
- Guidance Notes on Completing your Behavioural Ethics Application (June 2022)
- Behavioural Ethics Application (fillable Word form) (January 2023)
- Behavioural Application Checklist (October 2022)
- *Updated* Consent Form Guidelines (March 2023)
- Consent Form Checklist (July 2021)
- Harmonized studies are overseen by Research Ethics BC. Go to Information for researchers – Health Research BC.
- BREB Sample Forms + Applications (under construction)
- Tips and tricks for Mitacs awardees (May 2021)
- Request for release of funds before ethics approval (April 2024)
After you have initial ethics approval
- Reporting Breaches in Data Security and Confidentiality (August 2013)
- Changing the PI on an ethics application (January 2020)
- Post-Approval Activity Instructions (April 2024)
Post-approval activities + forms
Instructions for submitting a post-approval activity (PAA).
If you are changing the PI on your study, please note that signatures are needed. Complete the Change of PI Form and attach to Box 1.5 of your Amendment coversheet. Changes will only appear when your Amendment has been processed.
Copies of the PAA cover sheets are below for each type of post-approval activity.
Amendment
Annual Renewal
Completion of a Behavioural Study
Request for Acknowledgement
Change of PI Form