UPDATES
(January 20, 2023) Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans – TCPS 2 (2022)
The Secretariat on Responsible Conduct of Research has released the new Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans – TCPS 2 (2022). Please note that the TCPS 2 (2022) replaces the TCPS 2 (2018). The current Senate Policy and related procedures and guidelines are now under review and will be updated, as needed. All revised policy, procedures, and guidelines will be available on the relevant websites by June 2023.
In the interim, researchers are advised to review the new TCPS 2022 framework. Should researchers have any questions regarding the implications of the new framework on their research, please connect with the Office of Research Ethics (ore@yorku.ca).
(November 22, 2022) Face to Face Research with Human Participants
While there is no restriction on on-campus research activities, researchers are advised to adopt, as the President advises, “a community of care approach” when conducting their research. Researchers are thus strongly encouraged to wear masks (tight fitting and well-constructed; preferable Level 2 masks and N95 masks) and adopt recommended health and safety measures in indoor research environments, labs, and spaces, especially in situations involving young children and other potentially vulnerable human participants or in extended periods of close contact between researchers and/or participants.
However, off-campus research (local, domestic, and international) must adhere to public health requirements in effect at the venue/country where research is being conducted.
Please note that, York continues to work with public health authorities and, should it become necessary, may reinstate health and safety requirements as it speaks to face-to-face research with human participants.
The Office of Research Ethics (ORE) is here to help academics seeking to undertake research that involves human, animals or biological agents.
We provide the research community at York University with support, guidance and oversight throughout the process. We provide the resources and expertise necessary for faculty to complete the appropriate ethics review process in an efficient and timely manner.
More specifically, we offer the following:
- A wide variety of consultative and advisory services, including one-on-one assistance to researchers – both Faculty and student - with regards to policy and its applications, the completion of protocols, forms and the design of consent documents;
- Pre-review of ethics documents to ensure timely review by ethics committee(s);
- Resources and information regarding research ethics guidelines and requirements; and
- Workshops and seminars on research ethics
Does your research need ethics approval?
Just a reminder that all research involving human, animals or biological agents must be reviewed by the relevant ethics review committee prior to the start of any research – this includes research led by students but with whom Faculty members collaborate. Access to research funds will not be granted until the appropriate approvals are in place.
For more information on whether your research requires ethics review or not, please please see Tip Sheet 3 and Ethics Roadmap Flowchart (© Cross Campus Campstone Classroom).
Didn’t find what you need? Feel free to contact us via email at ore@yorku.ca. Please note that, for the Fall 2023 term, due to ongoing construction, all ORE staff members will be working remotely. We will not have access to nor monitor the main office line. Meetings and consultations can be scheduled via Zoom or MSTeams. Please email us at ore@yorku.ca to schedule a meeting/ consultation or for general inquiries.
Name | Title | |
---|---|---|
Alison Collins-Mrakas | Director, Research Ethics | acollins@yorku.ca |
Pelin Asci (on leave) | Manager, Research Ethics | pelin87@yorku.ca |
Wendy Jokhoo | Policy Advisor, Research Ethics | wjokhoo@yorku.ca |
ACC Coordinator | accinfo@yorku.ca | |
Nadia D'Angelo | Research Ethics Review Coordinator | naddan@yorku.ca |
Review Process
Overview
York University is committed to the highest standards of integrity in research. All projects involving the use of Human Participants, Animals and Biological Agents are subject to review by the appropriate University committee. York has formulated policies for the conduct of research involving all three of these areas.
All research involving humans, animals and/or biological agents/biohazardous materials conducted by faculty, staff or students, regardless of where the research is conducted, is subject to review and approval by the relevant ethics committee and /or its delegate ethics review committee in accordance with relevant guidelines, policies and regulations. It is the policy of the University that researchers conducting research involving human subjects, animals and/or biohazardous agents must obtain approval of their research from the relevant ethics committee prior to commencing research activities.
NOTE: Ethics approval is required regardless of whether the research is funded or not (this includes pilot and/or preliminary research)
The following links will provide you with an in-depth explanation of the research ethics review processes for research with:
FAQs
For general research news and events, awards, funding and new developments pertaining to Research & Innovation, please check the news and events links as well as the @YUResearch Twitter feed.
For all COVID-19-related news, visit the page YU Better Together.