Guidance Resources
These resources, found on our website but summarized here, can be used to guide you through the Human Ethics application process for research and teaching at our institution.
On this page
Pre-submission
Use these resources at the earliest stage of planning to confirm whether your activity requires ethics review, understand what’s expected, and set your project up for a smooth, compliant submission.
Quality Assurance vs. Research
Start here. This guide helps you correctly determine whether your project is QA/QI or constitutes Research requiring REB approval. Unsure? Request a Determination for Your Project: a quick short form to receive an official, written determination from the Human Ethics Office before beginning any data collection.
Informed Consent
Ensure your informed consent process meets ethical, regulatory, and institutional requirements from the outset.
Guidelines for Electronic Consent
Ensure online or digital consent processes meet standards for security, privacy, and clear, documented participant agreement.
Guidelines for Oral Consent
Outlines when verbal consent may be used and what is required—such as approved scripts, proper documentation, and conditions for use.
Consent form templates
Download institutionally-approved templates that include required boilerplate wording. Simply customize with your project details to create a compliant, polished consent form.
Guidelines for Deferral of Consent
This document provides guidance on the ethical and regulatory framework for obtaining informed consent in clinical research involving medical emergencies, in accordance with Article 3.8 of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2, 2022).
Recruitment and Incentives
Plan recruitment strategies that are effective, ethical, and compliant with institutional and regulatory standards.
Recruitment Guidance Document
Practical advice for crafting recruitment strategies—whether in person, online, or through third parties—while prioritizing participant safety and autonomy.
Quick Guide: Consent to Access Health Records (Pre-Screening) & Permission to Contact for Research Recruitment
A concise explanation of the legally required two-step process under privacy law for reviewing health records for eligibility and then contacting individuals about research participation. A must read for completing Section 4.3 of your ethics application.
Guidelines on the Use of Health Information in Research
Navigate the requirements of the Health Information Act and custodian-specific expectations with clarity.
Chart Review Guidelines
Learn how to extract the minimum necessary information from charts securely and in alignment with REB-approved procedures.
Case Reports
Determine when a case report requires ethics review—particularly if intended for publication—and when it may qualify as exempt teaching activity.
Research Involving First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples of Canada
Ensure your project reflects meaningful engagement, respect for Indigenous data governance, and adherence to OCAP® principles. Applications must document community consultation and required approvals.
Guidelines Related to Students and Research
Course based research
Clarifies when classroom assignments constitute research requiring review—particularly when projects extend beyond pedagogical purposes or may be published or presented.
Students as research participants
Provides guidance for ethically recruiting students in a manner that protects voluntariness, mitigates power imbalances, and often involves independent third-party recruitment.
Ethics Review
Resources to support application preparation and what to expect during review.
Application Guidance Form
REB 1 and REB 2
This form provides essential question-by-question instructions for completing applications to REB 1 and REB 2, helping ensure thorough submission and reducing revision requests.
REB 3 and REB 4
This form provides essential question-by-question instructions for completing applications to REB 3 and REB 4, helping ensure thorough submission and reducing revision requests.
Post-Submission
Guidance for managing your application after you receive REB approval.
Amendments and Renewals
Don’t forget, any changes to your project after approval, needs to be reviewed by the REB before they are implemented. Not sure? See what changes may require an Amendment before they are implemented or Renew annually to extend the project past its approval date.
When can I close my study?
Mostly finished your research - but not sure if you are done? See when you can close your study and how to do it.
Reporting requirements for REB 4
This resource outlines what has to be reported to the REB ensuring compliance for regulated clinical trials and other specialized research with unique oversight needs.