Should I Apply for Ethical Review?

A study which is simply quality assurance and not research does not require ethical review. Intention to publish the findings is not the litmus test for determining whether something is research or quality assurance. 

The  current Tri Council Policy Statement defines research as “an undertaking intended to extend knowledge through a disciplined inquiry or systematic investigation” and, states that quality assurance studies, performance reviews, or testing within normal educational requirements do not normally require review, unless they include an element of research and the findings will be published or presented at a conference. The Tri Council Policy Statement, article 2.5, further defines quality assurance studies as studies related directly to assessing the performance of an organization or its employees or students, within the mandate of the organization or according to the terms and conditions of employment or training.

The Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care research institutes (VCHRI and PHCRI respectively) have developed a checklist to assist researchers determine whether their quality improvement (including quality assurance and program evaluation) projects should be reviewed by a research ethics board before initiating the project.

This tool can be found on the VCHRI website home page and can be downloaded for completion. Go to http://www.vchri.ca and click on "VCH/PHC QI & REB Review Checklist" on the left-hand side. We encourage you to read through the document, and to incorporate the completion of this checklist into their project preparation.

The following decision support tools found on the ARECCI (Alberta Research Ethics Community Consensus Initiative) may also benefit in planning your Quality Improvement and Evaluation projects.

http://www.ahfmr.ab.ca/arecci/guidelines/

If there is any doubt as to whether your research requires review, we recommend that you consult with the Board or alternatively submit an application. None of UBC’s affiliated REBs will review or acknowledge research that has already been conducted.

Before You Apply:

The Application Process
Ethical Review Fees
FAQ's & Application Tips