St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan Department ...

Appendix B: Note from the Psy-REC coordinator along with guidelines and application form.
Hello,
As you likely all know, it is the policy of the University that all course based research projects that involve the
collection of data, such as those often conducted in the 300 A lab courses, and potentially in some 200-level
courses, receive ethics approval. The departmental ethics committee (Psy-REC) has the authority to approve
minimal risk projects, including those involving vulnerable populations (e.g., children) as long as there are no other
risk factors associated with the research protocol.
The attached files consist of the application form for course-based research program as well as the guidelines for
review of course-based research. Information regarding other policies, timelines, sample forms and general
information regarding ethics can be found on the department web
site http://artsandscience.usask.ca/psychology/department/ethics.php
Projects that are exempt from ethics review are listed below (see Appendix I of guidelines for full details of projects
that are and are not eligible for departmental review)
Projects where students are conducting the research on themselves during class time;
Projects involving the use of records or information that is in the public domain, including the use of
anonymous secondary data and surveys or questionnaires that have already been published;
Projects involving the use of naturalistic observation where the participants are seeking public visibility
and participant confidentiality and anonymity are ensured;
Practicum or job training projects where students are fully integrated into the organization’s operational
practices and are not conducting research;
Projects where the intent is to use the information to provide advice, diagnosis, identification of
appropriate interventions or general advice for a client;
Projects where the intent is to develop skills which are standard practice within a profession (e.g.
observation, assessment, intervention, evaluation, auditing)
New Applications
The information required for the application is straightforward. For the 300 level A classes, we recognize that
development of the actual instruments, consent forms etc., may be part of the course instruction and completion of
the ethics application in its entirety may be delayed until this information has been covered in the course. In such a
case we ask that you complete the application with as much information as possible, and forward the exact
instruments and forms for approval when they are developed.
Prior Psy-REC Approval for Course Research Projects
Some of you may have obtained ethics approval for your 300 A lab course in a previous year and have made no
substantial changes to your course projects and ethics protocols. If so then you do not have to submit another
application as the approval is valid for a three year term. You are required, however, to submit a status report
form (see attached) in order to extend your approval for another year. The approval certificate will be automatically
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