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FAQs About VIU REB

What is VIU REB?
The VIU VIU Research Ethics Board is a committee comprised of members of the VIU community as well as a representative of the community of Nanaimo who are dedicated to ensuring ethical compliance of all research involving human beings at VIU. Also the VIU REB is dedicated to educating the VIU community about ethical issues surrounding research involving humans as well as the institutional policy and procedures concerning research with humans.

Why do I need VIU REB approval?
All research done by faculty or students requires VIU REB approval to protect the rights of participants, and without this approval research cannot begin. Research funding may be subject to VIU REB approval.

How long will it take for an application to be reviewed?
To ensure your application gets reviewed in a timely manner, it must be submitted to VIU REB at least two weeks before the next scheduled VIU REB meeting date. Expedited reviews may be completed within as little as 2 weeks and full reviews may take at least a month.

What is the difference between a full and an expedited review?
Expedited reviews are processed more quickly than full reviews. Expedited reviews must meet the minimal risk requirements and are reviewed by a sub-committee of the VIU REB. Full reviews take longer because they require the whole board to meet face-to-face. 

How many copies of my application must I submit?
One copy of your application is to be submitted electronically to the Research Ethics Officer, Lars Apland. If you cannot submit an electronic copy then you must submit 6 hard copies to Lars Apland.

What is the TCPS tutorial and who is required to take it?
The TCPS tutorial was developed to educate all researchers about ethical concerns regarding human research. The tutorial helps researchers design ethical research projects into coherent applications. All students are required to take the TCPS tutorial prior to submitting their ethics application. Faculty are not required to take the tutorial, however it may be helpful to those who have not had prior research experience. The tutorial is online and may be completed in as little as two hours. After the tutorial is completed a certificate of completion should be printed so a copy can be submitted with the application to VIU REB.

What does minimal risk mean and how does it affect my research review?

Research that is minimal risk may be reviewed on an expedited basis, which may result in the review being completed more quickly.  The following is the TCPS definition of minimal risk.

“…if potential subjects can reasonably be expected to regard the
probability and magnitude of possible harms implied by participation
in the research to be no greater than those encountered by the subject in
those aspects of his or her everyday life that relate to the research, then the research can be regarded as minimal risk.”

What do I do if my research project involves multiple institutions?
Students or faculty are required to submit their research application to VIU REB and the equivalent at all institutions involved in the research project.

How long must research data be kept before it is destroyed and how must it be destroyed?
Research data, particularly where it includes personal information, must be stored and destroyed carefully. How long data should be stored and how it must be destroyed depends on the data and its format. Refer to the Data Retention and Destruction Guidelines for more information.

Who may I contact regarding any questions or comments about the role of VIU REB or the review processes?
You are welcome to contact Ruth Kirson, VIU REB Chair or Lars Apland, Research Ethics Officer regarding any questions or comments you may have.

 

Updated October 16, 2009