Research ethics

Conducting research at Conestoga: internal researchers 

Researchers at Conestoga seeking ethics approval from the REB should consult the REB page on the Researcher Portal. A Conestoga login is required to access the Researcher Portal. 

Conducting research at Conestoga: external researchers 

Researchers from external institutions who wish to conduct research at Conestoga must submit an application to the REB.

Complete and submit an application form: 

• Application to Involve Human Participants in Research  
• Common Ontario College REB Application form 
  • This form is for researchers who are planning to conduct research at multiple colleges in Ontario. Several colleges have agreed to accept the Ontario Community College Common REB application form. If your study will take place at two or more colleges, please use this form. 
• To better accommodate multi-jurisdictional research, Conestoga’s REB accepts completed and approved applications from other REBs. The acceptability of these applications is determined on a case-by-case basis by the REB. 

Complete and submit the following required supporting documentation: 

1. Checklist for Review of Information Letter and Consent Form 
   • This form will help to ensure that you have included all the recruitment notices, consent forms, data collection forms, etc., that are required for your application.
2. Supporting documentation as per the Checklist for Review of Information Letter and Consent Form 
3. Tri-Council Policy Statement 2 (TCPS 2): Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans CORE-2022 certificate of completion 
4. Locally Responsible Investigator Form for External Investigators/Researchers 
   • If the Principal Investigator is not on staff at Conestoga College then your research proposal requires a Locally Responsible Investigator (LRI). The LRI must be a current employee at Conestoga College. The REB coordinator can assist you with finding an LRI.

All materials must be submitted directly to the REB Coordinator. Communication with members of the REB regarding applications is forbidden. 

For students and instructors

Instructors must discuss the process for student applications with the REB Coordinator before having students submit.   

Sample templates 

• Sample Statement on Confidentiality of Web-Based Surveys  
• Sample Consent Form Survey Data Collection  
• Sample Consent Form Interview Data Collection  
• Sample Consent Form Focus Group Data Collection  
• Sample Wording Re Confidentiality of Focus Groups