Research Ethics Board
Terms of Reference (Nov 2008)

(taken from the UFV Research Ethics Policy # 210.10)

B. Research Ethics Board (REB)
Ensuring the ethical principles are applied to research involving human participants is the responsibility of the UFV Research Ethics Board. The REB has two primary roles ‐- educative and review. In its educative role, the REB serves the UFV research community as a consultative body and thus, contributes to education in research ethics. In its review role, the REB has the responsibility for independent, multidisciplinary review of the ethics of research to determine whether the research should be permitted to start or to continue. The REB is considered a delegation of the President’s Office at UFV. The President has the authority to dismiss or appoint REB members at his or her pleasure. The committee has the authority to approve, reject, propose modifications to, or terminate all proposed or ongoing research involving humans within the institution’s jurisdiction based on the ethical considerations as set forth in the Policy.

B(1) – Authority of the REB
Article 1.2

a. For research involving human subjects, UFV mandates the REB to approve, reject, propose modifications to, or terminate any proposed or ongoing research involving human subjects which is conducted within, or by members of, the institution, using the considerations set forth in this Policy.

b. Departmental Research Ethics Committees will conduct ethics reviews of research that is carried out by their undergraduate students as part of their course work, as outlined in 1.6c below, and will comply with this policy.

UFV has set criteria for determining which categories of research proposal are suitable for consideration through this means, and established such procedural issues as to who will be responsible for implementing and overseeing the approval mechanisms. As with other levels of review, proper accountability demands appropriate record keeping. Each research proposal and records of the decision will be sent to the Chair of the REB who will provide a Certificate of Approval. Only the Chair of the REB has the authority to sign Certificates of Approval.

Departmental level review should not be used for research in which an undergraduate student is carrying out research that is part of a faculty member's own research program. Such research should be reviewed by UFV’s regular institutional REB procedures.

B(2) – Membership of the REB
Article 1.3

The REB shall consist of a minimum of ten members, as described below:

a. Two members from each of the UFV academic divisions, at least three members should have broad expertise and experience in the methods or in the areas of research that are covered by the REB;

b. One member knowledgeable in ethics, capable of identifying and consulting on potential ethics issues and options;

c. Two members who has no affiliation with UFV but is recruited from the communities served by UFV.

d. One member knowledgeable in the law relevant to research ethics.

e. Every non‐discriminatory effort will be made to ensure that the REB does not consist entirely of men or entirely of women, including the institution's consideration of qualified persons of both sexes, so long as no selection is made to the REB on the basis of gender. The REB must not consist entirely of members of one profession.

f. Every non‐discriminatory effort will be made to ensure that membership includes a balance of members whose primary concerns are in scientific and non‐scientific areas.

g. The REB may, at its discretion, invite individuals with competence in special areas to assist in the review of issues which require expertise beyond or in addition to that available on the REB. These individuals may not vote with the REB.

B(3) ‐ Terms and Selection
Article 1.4

a. Two representatives from each of the major academic divisions at UFV will be elected, one of whom will serve as the chair of the REB, as chosen by the REB. The member knowledgeable in ethics, the community members, and the member knowledgeable in law will be appointed by the President. A vice‐chair will be chosen by the REB and will assume the duties of the chair when the chair is absent.

b. Elected members will serve three year terms. To ensure continuity in fulfilling the required tasks of the REB, initial elections will be staggered for 1, 2, and 3 year terms. All representatives after this initial election will be elected to serve three year terms. In the event that institutional restructuring should result in a re‐alignment of academic divisions, duly elected members of any division that no longer exists as a result of such restructuring shall be allowed to complete their
term of service.

c. The REB will meet regularly to carry out their prescribed duties. It is necessary for members to attend and participate in face to face meetings. A quorum for committee function is considered to be five members. From time to time, persons may be invited for their expertise and experience as required.