El Scoop, Maquinaria Pesada

http://www.yorku.ca/grads/policies_procedures/thesis_dissertations_index.html

As you know, all University-based research involving human participants, whether funded or non-funded, is subject to the ethics review process (which in the past have involved a confusing and redundant array of forms). Although not substantively different, FGS now has new procedures in place for students undertaking thesis/dissertation research involving Human Participants. Things do look more streamlined and easier to follow.

THESE PROCEDURES ARE TO BE FOLLOWED FOR ALL THESIS/DISSERTATION PROPOSALS The forms have labels – TD1, TD2, TD3, TD4 (found on pages XXX of this handbook).

If you open the TD1 form, a synopsis of the four different options is outlined. The route you take depends on whether the research involves human participants, is minimal risk or not, and whether it’s funded or not.

The definition of “funded” does not include funding in the form of student OGS scholarships, SSHRC fellowships, NSERC scholarships, or CIHR studentships. These awards are intended to support students through their studies and do not require reports from students on the specific research activities conducted. The definition of “funded” does apply to grants awarded for specific research projects, whether those projects be the student’s own research projects or research being conducted as part of a faculty member’s funded research project. Typically, for funded research, granting agencies require reports of the research conducted.

The Human Participants Research Committee uses the definition of minimal risk as outlined in the SSHRC/NSERC/CIHR Tri-Council Policy Statement “Ethical Conduct for Research involving Humans” (August 1998): “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 within the range of minimal risk” (p. 1.5). An expanded version of this definition is available from the Office of Research Services upon request.

EMAIL - Subject: Ethics: Some new procedures for the new academic year

In the area of research involving human participants, the following changes are being introduced. Revised forms will be available soon. The following procedures are to be put into effect as soon as possible and no later than October 1, 2005:

1. In an effort to streamline and expedite the thesis/dissertation approval process, the following change is being introduced. Please inform all supervisors of this change:

Thesis and dissertation proposals, including the Human Participant Research Protocol documents when relevant, are to be forwarded to FGS Only (the student will take it to the graduate program office, who will forward it to FGS). FGS will then forward all relevant documents to HPRC for review and approval. Programs are not to send materials separately to HPRC. A revised TD1 form that indicates this change will soon be made available.

2. To enable students to develop a better understanding of the responsibilities associated with conducting research with human participants, and to improve the quality of their human participant protocol submissions, the following requirement is being introduced:

All graduate students proposing research that involves human participants are required to complete the Tri- Council Policy Statement (TCPS) tutorial, available online at www.pre.ethics.gc.ca/

<http://www.pre.ethics.gc.ca/> . The tutorial is available in English (TCPS Tutorial) and French (Didacticiel sur l'EPTC).

Once they have completed the tutorial (a time commitment of about 2 hours) students are to submit the tutorial completion certificate, available online, to their program office. The certificate will then be placed in the student's file. The GPD or GPA will be asked to confirm its presence when they forward the TD1 form (being revised to add this addition) to FGS. Students who conduct research involving human participants within course assignments or MRPs will have to meet the same requirement; the TD2 form is being revised accordingly.

3. The final change related to ethics and human participants involves the age of majority. On the current TD2 form, the age for substitute consent is listed as 16 years. When we revise the form in the next couple of weeks, the age will be adjusted to 18 years, reflecting Ontario's age of majority.

OK, here’s the four routes (should you follow correctly and have it all completed , FGS is promising a response within 5 working days):

1. No human participants

–you merely need to complete the TD1 form and

–attach your proposal

2. Human participants, minimum risk, with written consent Human participants, minimum risk, with verbal consent – complete the TD1 form

– attach proposal - TD 2 form*

– attach informed consent (written or verbal script)*

– TD3 (it’s a checklist to insure you covered your bases in the consent)

* Provide 2 copies of the TD2 form & consent form–the Grad Office forwards these to HPRC 3. Human Participants, minimum risk, funded by faculty research grant

-TD4 form (verifies the existing HPRC approval) -attach proposal

-TD1 form - attach proposal

- complete HPRC form + 6 copies of proposal

* this is worded as “and/or funded” in the TD1 form – I have spoken with FGS, that is not what they meant and will be changing the wording to reflect that they mean “regardless of whether it’s funded”

Minimal risk, non-externally funded research for Minor Area Paper (MAP)

For the MAP proposal you will have to submit the Grad Office (1) two copies of the proposal; (2) a completed Minor Paper Proposal submission form (available in the grad office), signed by your supervisor and committee member; and (3) two copies of FGS Human Participants Research Protocol Form, including a completed Informed Consent Document. The Graduate Programme will assume responsibility for approving the Proposal. This will be done either by the Graduate Programme Director, a Graduate Programme

Committee, or by an arm's length faculty member.

Note that all MAP proposals must be submitted with a completed FGS Human Participants Research Protocol Form, including a completed Informed Consent Document, regardless of whether the paper is research-based or a review of the literature.

Non-minimal risk and/or externally funded research: Dissertation and Minor Area Paper Proposals These proposals are to be approved by the Human Participants Research Committee (HPRC), not by the Grad Director and the FGS. Nevertheless, both the Grad Office and the FGS want a copy of the proposal, so that it is on hand in case either the Grad Director or relevant Associate Dean is contacted by the HPRC. The following procedure should be used: First, a proposal should be written. Two copies should be submitted to the Grad Office, which will then send one over to the FGS.

NOTE: Doctoral Dissertation proposals must be forwarded for approval to the Dean of Graduate studies not less than six months prior to the date set for oral examination.