Research Ethics Board

The following FAQ provides information about the Research Ethics Board with respect to Creative Practice Activities and Research undertaken at AUArts.

What does the Research Ethics Board (REB) at AUArts do?

The REB provides a framework to allow researchers to consider the ethical dimensions of research involving human participants and animal subjects, and support for developing research within this framework. The REB assesses the ethical acceptability of a research project through considerations of the foreseeable risks, the potential benefits, and the ethical implications of the project. These two steps constitute a proportionate approach to an REB review.

What are AUArts' research standards?

AUArts' basic standards for research on human participants are guided by the principles set out by Canada’s Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans. These principles include:

1. Respect for human dignity
2. Respect for free and informed consent
3. Respect for vulnerable persons
4. Respect for privacy and confidentiality
5. Balancing harms and benefits

Do creative practice activities – creation of art – require REB review?

Creative practice activities in and of themselves do not require REB review, even if the creative activity involves human participants. The phrase “creative practice” is defined as “a process through which an artist makes or interprets a work or works of art.”

The distinction between research and creative practice is not always clear. Creative practice activities that involve human participants, the collection and storage of individual information or data, the use of surveys, or other methods of social science suggest the project might have elements of research. Thus, such projects should be submitted to the REB prior to their undertaking. The REB will make, in collaboration with the individual proposing the project, the determination in the context of the specific project under consideration. The final assessment of whether an activity is research is the responsibility of the REB.

Activities exempt from REB review may raise considerations of best practice that are beyond the scope of the REB, such as the use of consent forms. It is recommended that individuals undertaking such activities consult with individuals capable of providing guidance such as your course instructor, supervisor, or offices that oversee Health & Safety, Risk Management, or Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) procedures.

Do research activities require REB review?

Yes. Research activities involving living human participants and human biological materials require REB review and approval before the research commences.

Research is defined by the Tri-Council Policy Statement for purposes of Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans as “an undertaking intended to extend knowledge through a disciplined inquiry or systematic investigation. The term “disciplined inquiry” refers to an inquiry that is conducted with the expectation that the method, results and conclusions will be able to withstand the scrutiny of the relevant research community. For example, a study seeking to explore the narratives of teens coping with mental illness would be evaluated by the established standards of studies employing similar methods, technologies and/or theoretical frameworks.

Does research involving a creative practice activity require REB review?

When the activity has a dual purpose of research and creative practice, REB review is required.

The REB is available to help advise on this determination. If an activity is being carried out as a form of expression for an artistic purpose, e.g., a theatrical work or video that involves interviewing people, then it is creative practice even if research methods, such as questionnaires, are being used, and even if a form of knowledge is being generated. This type of activity does not require REB review. As above, the distinction between research and creative practice is not always clear. If the activity is being done in part for research purposes, then it is considered research, even if creative practice methods are being used. The REB will make, in collaboration with the individual proposing the project, the determination in the context of the specific project under consideration. The final assessment of whether an activity is research is the responsibility of the REB.

Are creative practice activities or research done for a course exempt from REB consultation and/or review?

Creative practice activities done for a course do not require REB review. Course-based research activities with a primarily pedagogical purpose normally required of students (at all levels) with the objective of providing them with exposure to research methods in their field of study (e.g., interviewing techniques) do not require REB review. If these activities are used for the purposes of research (e.g., as part of a researcher's own research program), they should be reviewed by the REB.

Do Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement (QA/QI) activities require REB review?

Quality improvement and quality assurance activities do not require REB review. The TCPS2 states, “Quality assurance and quality improvement studies, program evaluation activities, and performance reviews, or testing within normal educational requirements when used exclusively for assessment, management or improvement purposes, do not constitute research for the purposes of this Policy, and do not fall within the scope of REB review.” See next question.

Who determines that an activity is Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement (QA/QI)?

The distinction between research and QA/QI is not always clear. QA/QI activities should be brought to the attention of the REB prior to their undertaking. The REB will make, in collaboration with the individual proposing the project, the determination in the context of the specific project under consideration. The final assessment of whether an activity is research is the responsibility of the REB.

If I am intending to undertake research with human participants, when do I need to submit an REB application?

Yes. An application to the REB must be submitted prior to the commencement of the research.

How do I apply for Research Ethics Board review?

If your research requires an REB review, or if you would like to consult with the REB to determine whether a project may require an REB review, please email the Research Ethics Board who will then contact you.

To contact or consult with the Research Ethics Board please email: researchethics@auarts.ca

How does the REB make a decision?

Consultation with the REB is the first step, which may or may not need to be followed up with an application to REB. Once received the REB determines the level of risk.The REB assesses the ethical acceptability of a research project through considerations of the foreseeable risks, the potential benefits, and the ethical implications of the project. These two steps constitute a proportionate approach to an REB review.  All applications are initially reviewed by the REB Chair, and in some instances where an activity is of minimal risk, a delegated review, typically by the REB Chair, may take place to expedite the REB’s response. Activities in which there is deemed to be more than minimal risk are reviewed by the REB.

What research ethics policy does the REB follow?

AUArts’ REB is guided by the standards set by the Tri-Council Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2, 2022), which is the standard for Canadian post-secondary intuitions. The REB is also guided by the Canadian Council on Animal Care, and the College Art Association.

When does the REB consult and review?

The REB consults and reviews activities throughout the academic year. The REB does not meet during the summer vacation period.

How long does an REB review take?

The REB strives to review applications and to provide feedback within one month and often within a few days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does research with participants who are family members and friends require REB review?

Yes. Research involving human participants who are family and/or friends requires REB review.

Does my art activity involving family members and friends require REB review?

No. Creative practice activities, even involving family and friends, do not require REB review.

My art will involve animals, do I need REB review?

No. Creative practice activities, even involving animals do not require REB review. The REB recommends that artists contact the offices of Health & Safety and Risk Management before the art commences.

How do I contact the offices of Health & Safety and Risk Management?

Email the Security Supervisor at security.supervisor@auarts.ca

My art will involve body fluids, do I need REB review?

No. Creative practice activities, even those involving body fluids, do not require REB review. The REB recommends that artists contact the offices of Health & Safety and Risk Management before the art commences.

My art involves potential risk of harm to myself or others. Do I need REB review?

No. Creative practice activities do not require REB review. The REB recommends that artists contact the offices of Health & Safety and Risk Management before the art commences.

My art involves an activity that may be against the law. Do I need REB review?

Researchers and artists are responsible for ascertaining and complying with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. These requirements may vary depending on the jurisdiction in Canada in which the project is being conducted, and who is funding and/or conducting the research or project. They may comprise constitutional, statutory, regulatory, common law, and/or international or legal requirements of jurisdictions outside of Canada. The scope of the REB does not include legal opinions on what is or is not allowed by law. The REB recommends that artists contact the offices of Health & Safety and Risk Management before the art commences.

My art may be considered offensive by some members of the community, do I need to consult the REB?

No. Creative practice activities do not require REB review. The AUArts Academic + Artistic Freedom Policy says that all students, faculty and staff of ACAD have the freedoms of speech, artistic and intellectual expression to examine, question, investigate, speculate and comment on any issue, and to create or perform works of art without reference to prescribed doctrine. The exercise of academic and artistic freedom also entails the concomitant responsibilities of tolerance and mutual respect for alternative ways of expression, as well as compliance with applicable Canadian legislation. The REB recommends that artists contact the offices of Health & Safety and Risk Management before the art commences.

I have REB approval from another post-secondary institution for a multi-jurisdictional research activity. Do I need an AUArts REB review?

Yes, multi-jurisdictional research carried out by AUArts faculty, students, and staff must receive AUArts REB review in addition to any other institution’s REB approval. If you have REB approval from another post-secondary institution, your application may be expedited.