Instructions on Submitting an REB Protocol Application

Instructions on Submitting an REB Protocol Application
1 Complete the research ethics application below. Read the form carefully.
2 Include all relevant forms such as interview guides, informed consent forms, recruitment material, etc.
For Student Applications
* Student researchers are required to complete the TCPS 2 Tutorial and submit proof of completion as part of their application.
* Students are required to have their application reviewed and approved by their supervisor. The supervisor and student’s signature must be submitted as part of the application.
* Information on the above documents can be found here.
Please indicate that you have read the instructions above and understand that any research involving human participants requires approval from the CBU REB prior to the start of the research project.
I have read the instructions above and understand that any research involving human participants requires approval from the CBU REB prior to the start of the research project.

[ ] Yes [ ] No

SECTION 1. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Indicate the type of project being submitted.

[ ] New [ ] Resubmission [ ] Major Amendment
New: Project has not been submitted to the REB previously.
Resubmitting: Project was previously submitted to the REB but not approved.
Major Amendment: The project is connected to an existing REB protocol that has been approved.

Project Title


Existing Protocol Number
(for Resubmissions or Major Amendments)


1.1 Research Team Information
Principal Investigator’s Name


Department


Email


Phone


Project Start Date


Project End Date


Co-Investigators names, affiliations and contact information

Name, Affiliation, Contact Information

1.2 Student Submissions
* Please note student applications will not be processed unless the student’s supervisor has reviewed and approved the application.
* Students must have supervisors sign the Supervisor Signature for Student Ethics Application page and attach this completed form when submitting this application. 
* Students are required to have completed the TCPS2 Tutorial before submitting their application to the REB. Visit http://tcps2core.ca/welcome
* Save the Completion Certificate and attach it to your application when submitting your form.
* If your supervisor is not primarily associated with Cape Breton University, please list their primary institutional affiliation.
Program


This project is for:

[ ] Course [ ] Thesis [ ] Other

Name of Supervisor


Supervisor’s Affiliation
(Department, University)


Supervisor’s Email


Supervisor’s Phone


1.3 Resubmissions
Briefly discuss the changes made/response to REB feedback for your resubmission.


1.4 Major Amendments
Describe in detail how your amendment differs from the existing approved protocol including: information on new participants, new methodologies, new interactions with participants (eg. new interview questions, survey information, focus groups etc.)


1.5 Funding
In some cases, funders will need to see proof of ethics clearance prior to funds being released. If this is your situation, remember to forward your approval letter to [email protected] for release of funds.
Describe the amount and source of any funding you have received for this project.

N/A

Describe the amount and source of any funding you are/will be applying for this project.

N/A

SECTION 2. DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH PROJECT
The intent of this section is to provide REB reviewers with enough information to understand and evaluate the project's risks and benefits to participants and others, regardless of discipline. These risks can be trivial or profound, physical or psychological, individual or social. To note:
* It is not guaranteed that REB reviewers will have the same discipline specific knowledge as you. As such, avoid using jargon and take the time to explain central concepts with a general audience in mind.
* Applications that do not include enough information will be returned to the researcher.
* Please note the word count numbers are for guidance only. Applicants may find that more or less information is required.
2.1 Research Summary
Summary of Research
Suggested word count: 200 - 250

Provide a summary of the proposed research, indicating clearly the role of the research participants and any procedures to which the participants will be subjected. Attach copies of any questionnaires, interview guides or other instruments with your application.
This section should include: The scope of your research, your research question, research methodology, how participants will be engaged with for this research and how research participants will assist in answering research questions relevant to this study.
The study is aimed at determining if Guang-Hong Kong Macau Bay Area (GD-HK-MO) is capable of becoming the world’s leading regional economy. GD-HK-MO comprises several large cities with a sufficient GDP and population size to contend for the position of world’s number one economic space. The key research questions are: 1) Can the Greater Bay Area be the world's number one regional economy after the COVID-19 pandemic recovery? 2) What political, regulatory, and economic constraints influence Greater Bay Area? And 3) What recommendations are necessary for Greater Bay Area's economic projection? The study is significant in that in addition to highlighting the economic gaps affecting the area, it will help highlight the importance of economic integration as well as the influence of regional competition forces on the economic prosperity of the Greater Bay Area. The study will use the qualitative research design where data will be gathered primarily through structured interviews. Random sampling will be used to select 20 interviewees where such factors as gender balance, years of experience in community development, age (between 30 and 60 years old), and familiarity with the financial and economic development of the Greater Bay Area will be prioritized. Only those participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be included in the interviews, which will be structured around the three research questions.
Interview Guide:
(1) What is the current strategic position of GBA?
(2) Where do you see GBA in the next years?
(3) What are the key interventions GBA considers in penetrating the global space?

2.2 Location and Jurisdiction
Are you planning on conducting research with human subjects elsewhere in Canada or outside of Canada?
If yes, please provide the follow information:
Provide proof of, or a detailed plan to obtain ethics review by an REB or other appropriately constituted review body with jurisdiction at the research site elsewhere in Canada, or outside Canada, if any. If there is no formal review body, please indicate.
Suggested word count: 100 - 150

The plan to obtain ethics review by the REB will involve first ensuring that the study meets the privacy and ethical requirements stipulated by the review body. After confirming that all recommendations have been implemented, the researcher will fill the application form required for individuals applying to the REB. The application form will include the project title, principal investigator, the contact person, proposed study period, funding information, any conflicts of interest and third-party involvement, as well as other additional approvals required. The investigator will also include a research protocol detailing how human participants will be used in the study, the consent process, potential harms and benefits of the study, budget, knowledge and dissemination plan, as well as other considerations.

Provide a detailed plan to seek permission to proceed with the research at that site and with the target participants/community.
Suggested word count: 100 - 150

The invitation email sent to selected study participants will include an informed consent form that will not only inform prospective interviewees of the nature of the study but will also be signed by willing participants as proof of their voluntary consent to participate in the research. This document will be written in an easily understandable language and include: the nature and aim of the study; the required duration of the interviewee’s participation; a statement highlighting the voluntary nature of the study; the risks and benefits of the study; how confidential information will be protected throughout the study; as well as reference contacts for further inquiry.

Describe the strategies you are taking to familiarize yourself with the relevant norms and cultural practices, and to minimize risks to individuals and communities participating in, or potentially affected by, the research.
Suggested word count: 100 - 150

One of the strategies the researcher is taking to become more familiar with the relevant norms and cultural practices, over and above, reduce risks to individuals is reviewing REB policies, guidelines, and resources. REB has a wealth of information on how to reduce potential harms of a research, ensure an adequate process for informed consent, as well as ascertain the fairness in selection of participants. Another strategy is going through research articles describing how to conduct culturally sensitive research, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations, along with issues relating to informed consent, data protection and confidentiality, as well as research-related injuries to subjects.

2.3 Benefits and Purpose
What is the benefit of this research? What new knowledge is anticipated as an outcome of this study? Why are participants integral to this study?
Suggested word count: 100 - 150

One of the benefits of this research is that it will investigate the importance of economic integration in influencing the economic prosperity of the Greater Bay Area, and by extension other emerging economic spaces. The study will also be useful in identifying the economic gaps, including the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, impeding the growth of the area into the world’s leading regional economy. The new knowledge anticipated as an outcome of the study include the potential of the Greater Bay Area as the leading global economic region together with the political, regulatory, and economic constraints impeding the same. Participants with an in-depth understanding of the economic and financial characteristics of the region will be integral to uncovering current constraints as well as possible solutions, such as policy adjustment, for the same.

2.4 Research in Aboriginal Contexts
Please indicate if this research will work in Aboriginal Contexts [ ] Yes [ ] No
Chapter 9 of the Tri-Council Policy Statement deals with Research in Aboriginal Contexts. All researchers working with aboriginal communities or participants in Canada or internationally need to be familiar with this chapter. In addition, researchers working in Nova Scotia with the Mi’kmaq community should consult the Mi’kmaq Ethics Watch (MEW) procedures. If you believe your project may require MEW approval please consult their website for appropriate contacts. It is a PI's responsibility to understand what jurisdictions their research may fall under and to seek appropriate ethical clearance.
Please provide evidence of a research agreement or community consultation. You may submit this information here or include an attachment.
Suggested word count: 100 – 150


2.5 Research in Health Fields and Schools
Please indicate if this research will work in Health Fields and/or Schools [ ] Yes [ ] No
* Researchers completing work in the health field may also need approval from the Nova Scotia Health Authority.
* Researchers completing work in the school board may also need permission/approval from the CBVRSB or equivalent.
It is a PI's responsibility to understand what jurisdictions their research may fall under and to seek appropriate ethical clearance.
Please provide evidence of a research agreement or community consultation. You may submit this information here or include an attachment.
Suggested word count: 100 - 150


SECTION 3. INFORMATION ON RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
3.1 Participants and Recruitment
Who are the research participants in your project? If you are drawing from more than one participant population, please indicate (eg. interviewing teachers and students)
Suggested word count: 75

The research participants in the project are former GBA employers and employees currently working with GBA between the ages of 30 and 60 years and possessing adequate financial knowledge of the community or regional economic development. This study population consists of informative individuals on the current strategic position of GBA, the direction the region is taking and where it will be in the next years, as well as key interventions GBA is considering in penetrating the global economic space.

How many research participants do you anticipate?
Suggested word count: 75

The study anticipates twenty research participants. A small study population is consistent with qualitative research design. Gender balance will be prioritized so that there will be ten male participants and ten female participants. In order to ensure that the selected participants have sufficient experience in community development and can provide detailed answers to the study questions, the researcher will focus on former and current GBA employers as well as employees presently working with GBA between the ages of 30 and 60 years.

Will participants be recruited and if so, from what population? Please attach any recruitment information to this application such as email scripts, posters or invitations. Suggested word count: 100

Participants will be recruited from a population of former and current GBA employers as well as employees presently working with GBA. The population will also be persons between the ages of 30 and 60 years.
Invitation Script:
Hello,
We are conducting interviews on the potential of the Greater Bay Area becoming the leading global economic space and other related issues. The structured interviews will take around 45 minutes via Skype. Your personal details and responses will be kept confidential. If you are willing to participate or have additional inquiries, please contact the lead investigator.
Thank you,
(Interviewer)

Will any ...