Ethics in Human Research:

All faculty and students whose research [funded or not] involves the use of human subjects (or as some prefer, participants), must be reviewed and certified by the appropriate University Research Ethics Board before the research may be commenced.

Given the diversity of research methods and the variety of projects that are undertaken by faculty and students at the University, it is impossible to provide a definitive list of every instance when ethics clearance is required.

However, in addition to such obvious activities as participants used in a controlled experiment, a clinical trial, or medical study, it is important to remember that activities such as a telephone survey, the distribution of a questionnaire, interviews, direct observation, and use of identifiable, private information about an individual also involved human "subjects" and are some examples of projects that require clearance, too.

Information on the ethics approval process can be obtained from:

Russell Burrows, Senior Ethics Resource Officer, Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board, rburrows@ucalgary.ca  or 220-3782;

or

Liz McGovern, Ethics Research Officer, Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board, chreb@ucalgary.ca or 220-2297.